Dan Fisher enters his second season as associate head coach of the Warrior volleyball team after spending the past two seasons with University of San Francisco women’s volleyball.
“We are excited to add Dan to our staff,” Wade said. “He brings an impressive resume as a player and coach. He’s knows the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, is a proven recruiter and is one of the best young coaches in the game.”
As associate head coach at USF, Fisher helped guide the Dons to the NCAA Tournament and finished with the best season in school history in 2008. Fisher is also no stranger to the islands, as he started his playing career at UH in 1995, before ending his career with Pacific.
“I’m honored and excited to come back to Hawai‘i,” Fisher said. “I understand how important the team is to the people of Hawai‘i and the expectations that come with the job.”
Prior to USF, Fisher coached the men’s team at Pacific for three seasons. He also was named to the USA Volleyball staff for the 2007 World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
“Dan brings a unique perspective as a player and a coach,” Wade said. “As a former player at UH and having played with Yuval Katz, he knows and understands what Hawai‘i volleyball means to this state.”
While serving on the staff at Pacific, the men's team achieved a No. 14 national ranking and rose as high as No. 8 in 2007. In three seasons at his alma mater, Fisher worked with junior outside hitter Pekka Seppanen, who was named a second team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. In addition, Fisher worked with one U.S. National Team performer and four players earning all-MPSF honors.
Fisher also has international coaching experience with his involvement with the U.S. National Team. In 2007, he assisted with the Youth Select Team during its tournament in Sacramento, Calif., and served as assistant coach under Alan Knipe with the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
A standout player and team captain for Pacific, Fisher spent three years on the U.S. National Team, beginning in 1999. In just two seasons with the Tigers, Fisher posted some dazzling numbers and litters the record books. His 3,007 career assists ranks second and his 82 aces rates fifth on the Tigers all-time charts. He was an all-MPSF First Team selection in 1998.
Fisher played professionally in Europe for five years, including three in Spain and one season each in Belgium and Switzerland. He began his coaching career overseas, coaching Club Volleyball Menen for the 1999-2000 season and later spent the 2003-04 season coaching the Volleyball Club Appenzell Gotten Girl's Youth in Switzerland. Fisher also coached the Club Santa Barbara 16's in 2002.
A 1999 Pacific graduate with a degree in sociology, Fisher completed his master's degree in sports management in 2008. Fisher is married to former Rainbow Wahine soccer player Joni Abel, who played for UH from 1994-95.
