Joshua Walker Returns Home as Hawai‘i Names New Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Head Coach

HONOLULU — The University of Hawai‘i has turned to one of its own to lead one of the most storied programs in college volleyball.

Athletics Director Matt Elliott announced Friday that former Rainbow Warrior All-American and national championship-winning assistant coach Joshua Walker has been selected as the fourth head coach in Rainbow Wahine volleyball history.

Walker returns to Mānoa after spending the last four seasons at Baylor, where he helped guide the Bears to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and establish one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. The move brings back a coach deeply connected to Hawai‘i volleyball, both as a player and coach, at a pivotal moment for the program.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Joshua Walker back to the University of Hawai‘i,” Elliott said. “Joshua embodies the very best of Hawai‘i volleyball tradition and knows firsthand what it takes to win at the highest level here.”

The hire concludes after a nationwide search that Elliott described as unique due to the timing of the opening. With many programs and coaches already deep into recruiting and summer preparation, the process relied much more heavily on direct conversations rather than with a traditional pool of applicants.

“We had to be persistent, patient and stay committed to what was right for UH,” Elliott said during Friday’s media availability. “Ultimately, we ended in a fantastic place.”

Walker becomes just the fourth head coach in the 50-year history of the Rainbow Wahine program, taking over the helm of one of the most tradition-rich legacy program in collegiate athletics.

According to Elliott, the search committee prioritized finding someone who understood the history of Hawai‘i volleyball, could navigate today’s rapidly evolving recruiting and NIL landscape and possessed a championship-level vision for the future.

“Joshua has won national championships, he’s been an All-American, he’s seen it at the highest level,” Elliott said. “He’s got a plan, and that is really the most important thing.”

A Familiar Face Returns

For Hawai‘i fans, Walker’s return goes far beyond his impressive résumé.

A Rainbow Warrior standout from 2006-11, Walker is one of the men’s program’s all-time greats. His 1,428 career kills rank fifth in school history, even earning AVCA All-America honors as a junior to go along with multiple All-MPSF selections.

After playing professionally in Europe and with Team USA, Walker returned to UH as an assistant coach under Charlie Wade in 2016. During his seven seasons on staff, Hawai‘i posted a 149-36 record and captured back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2021 and 2022. He was named AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019.

Walker later joined Baylor’s women’s volleyball program, eventually rising to the associate head coach chair while helping the Bears maintain national contender status.

His experience also extends internationally. Most recently, Walker helped guide USA Volleyball’s U17 National Team to a gold medal at the 2026 Pan-American Cup with a 4-0 record.

“I feel extremely blessed and thankful for this opportunity,” Walker said in a press release from the school. “Hawai‘i has been home for a while, but I love that it gets to be our workplace again. I’m excited to get going and will work to make this program truly one of a kind.”

Strong Support Across Volleyball

Walker’s hiring elicited an overwhelmingly positive reaction from coaches, players and fans throughout the volleyball community.

Wade, who coached Walker as a player before welcoming him on staff as an assistant coach, called the move a dream realized.

“Josh was a special player and a special coach for our program,” Wade said. “I know this was one of his dreams when he left our team. He was a huge part of our success while he was on staff with us.”

Legendary former Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji praised the selection as well.

“Josh is an excellent choice to lead the Rainbow Wahine,” the retired Shoji said. “He’s familiar with the landscape, he is a tremendous mentor to his athletes, and he knows the game inside and out.”

Baylor head coach Ryan McGuyre described Walker as “the perfect hire for Hawaii,” while citing his integrity, leadership, and ability to build relationships while developing championship-caliber programs.

Texas head coach Jerritt Elliott echoed the sentiments, calling Walker “the perfect person to lead the program into its next chapter” largely because of his understanding of Hawai‘i’s culture, tradition, and expectations.

Looking Ahead

Walker officially began his tenure already, with Elliott noting that the new coach was eager to get started.

“As of tomorrow, it’s his team,” Elliott said. “I want the start date to be tomorrow because I’m ready to go, I’m ready to recruit.”

The timing is critical as Hawai‘i prepares for the upcoming transition into the Mountain West Conference and continues navigating an increasingly competitive collegiate recruiting environment.

Elliott said Walker’s recent experience coaching at the highest levels of women’s volleyball made him particularly attractive for the position.

“He fully understands the NIL landscape and knows the nuances of what it means to be recruiting,” Elliott said. “Whether it’s domestic or international, retaining a roster—he understands how to do that.”

Walker returns to Hawai‘i alongside his wife Tehane, a former Rainbow Wahine soccer standout, and their five children.

For a program built on tradition, championships, and community, the Rainbow Wahine are placing their future in the hands of someone who understands all three.

And for Walker, it is a return to the place he has long called home.