Hawaii, HC Eran Ganot agree in principle to contract extension

HONOLULU – The only transition that the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball program will be experiencing is one into the Mountain West.

Veteran head coach Eran Ganot and the school officially announced an agreement in principle on Tuesday that would lock in a contract extension for the longtime leader of the Rainbow Warriors. Details of the agreement were not disclosed as the parties finalize terms, but did confirm on the same day that the 2026 transfer portal opened that Hawai’i’s coach could finally focus on recruiting for next season.

“I want to thank President Hensel and Matt Elliott for the opportunity to continue leading this program and for their incredible support of our vision,” said Ganot in UH’s official press release. “My family and I love this university and this community. We are eager to continue what we started here, building off our recent Big West Championship as we prepare for the exciting challenge of moving into the Mountain West Conference.”

Ganot, 44, has racked up a record of 195-127 in his career as the first chair in Hawai’i, giving him the second-most victories by a head coach in program history and the best winning percentage of the collegiate era (.606) by any UH coach.

The new deal provides the program with stability ahead of a big shift in the everchanging landscape of college basketball, keeping a head coach with a track record of success in the islands while UH adjusts to competing at the level of the best in the Mountain West.

“I fully understand the responsibility that comes with guiding this program; our goal remains to win at the highest level and represent Hawai’i with pride,” Ganot continued in his statement. “I also want to thank our fans – the best in the country – for their unwavering loyalty.”

Hawai’i had been especially strong after the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened campaign, tallying three 20+ win seasons in five years despite having to maneuver through significant injuries to standouts like Juan Munoz, Noel Coleman, Tanner Cuff and others.

The Rainbow Warriors returned to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in Ganot’s tenure in 2025-26, going 24-9 and winning the Big West Tournament before facing SEC champion Arkansas in the opening round of March Madness.

Hawai’i will graduate six players and now work to piece together a team that’s entirely new after the dream send-off season from the Big West. Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, Ike Finlinson, Hunter Carter and AJ Economou each entered their name into the transfer portal, leaving the majority of the roster open heading into next year.

Ganot will be the second longest-tenured head coach in the fresh Mountain West, ironically trailing another new member of the conference in UC Davis HC Jim Les, who just completed his 15th season leading the Aggies. Both coaches will look to help their respective programs make a strong first impressions in the Mountain West, though the Aggies entered the portal period with less overall work to do to fill out the roster.

You can keep track of the latest in Hawai’i men’s basketball recruiting with HSRN’s 2026 Offseason Movement Tracker, HERE.