After guiding the University of Hawaii at Hilo to a share of the Pacific West Conference crown, volleyball coach Tino Reyes is the search committee's choice to remain the program's fourth head coach effective February 1.
Even though the “interim” label will be removed from his office door placard, it won't change the way he approaches his responsibilities.
“I always coach as if I'm interim because if you coach that way you have an edge,” said Reyes. “There is always that 'what have you done for me lately' question. I like our players to feel that way and I like to feel that way myself.
“I don't know if you can ever say permanent head coach, I don't know what the title would be. You always coach a season at a time. If there is any security, I don't know about it.”
The 2010 season also produced the PacWest Player of the Year Hillary Hurley.
“He's perfect for the job,” said Hurley. “He gives us a lot of room to try new things which allows us to be innovative but we still have to do what we have to do. “
Reyes had a year away for collegiate volleyball before taking the interim position. Prior to that, he was instrumental in helping build the University of Hawaii men's program as the associate head coach. His recruiting efforts and work with the team's setters and defensive strategy insights proved invaluable. During his 17-year career at Hawaii, the Warriors were 283-119 with four Mountain Pacific Sports Federation titles, three trips to the Final Four and one (vacated) national championship.
Reyes also coached under UHM women's coach Dave Shoji for two seasons before joining the men's program. He coached at Southern Illinois University and Weber State University as an assistant coach. The Molokai native was head women's volleyball coach at Oregon State University and Chaminade University.
"Tino did a terrific job with the program this past year," said UHH Director of Athletics Dexter Irvin. "He's proven his ability to work with athletes, staff and communities to develop a great environment for our volleyball program and athletic department.
"We look forward to continue success under his guidance."
On the national level, Reyes is the head coach of the USA Volleyball Boys Youth National Team and a former coach at the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships.
Vulcan basketball fans may remember Reyes as a member of the 1976-77 Vulcan basketball team.
Reyes went on to play volleyball at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and later was an assistant coach with the Cal Poly SLO women's team, helping the Mustangs to national recognition and success.
