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HONOLULU—Eran Ganot has been named the head men's basketball coach at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman announced during a press conference Thursday at the Stan Sheriff Center's Ed Wong Hospitality Room.
                          
"We are pleased to welcome Eran Ganot as he returns to the University of Hawai'i," Bley-Vroman said. "Eran is known for his work ethic, integrity and dedication to the game. He understands the importance of our team to the people of Hawai'i. I am confident in his experience in coaching winning teams, recruiting and helping student-athletes to grow and succeed."
 
Ganot is the 21st head coach of the UH men's basketball program. At 33 years old, he is the second youngest to lead the Rainbow Warriors, Bruce O'Neil was 28 years old when he hired and began  his four year head coaching career at UH (1973-76).
 
A former UH assistant coach, Ganot returns to Manoa from Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., where he served most recently as the associate head coach; earning runner-up in the West Coast Conference (WCC) standings; making an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT); and ending the season with a 21-10 record.
 
"This is a dream job and a dream destination of mine," Ganot said. "From the very first time I arrived, I knew this state and the University was a special place which I'm very fond of and I consider home. I'm excited to return to the islands and help direct the program through some very challenging times. I'm thankful for all my mentors, including coaches Randy Bennett, Riley Wallace, and Bob Nash, for helping me get to this point. I will do my very best to represent this program the right way on and off the court and in the classroom."
 
At St. Mary's, Ganot coordinated all recruiting and scouting efforts and was responsible for game scheduling.  In 2013-14, he served as acting head coach for five games and tallied a 3-2 record.
 
Since his return to SMC in 2010-11, the Gaels have earned a record of 124-44 (73.8 winning percentage), and have been among the nation's most consistently successful teams. During the five-year span at SMC, the Gaels made two NCAA appearances, three NIT appearances and won at least 21 games each season—including a three-year stretch in which they notched 25 wins each year.
  
Also during his tenure, the Gaels captured two regular-season WCC titles; appeared in the WCC Tournament championship game each year prior to this season; and claimed two conference Players of the Year—both players were coached in Ganot's position group.
 
In the last five years, Ganot has coached the guards while coordinating an offense that ranked in the top 10 in points per possession and top 15 in rebound margin. He has shown a true gift for developing players while at SMC. Under his tutelage, guard Matthew Dellavedova became SMC's all-time leader in scoring, assists, games played, free throw percentage and three-point shots; was named first team all-WCC three times; and was the 2012 WCC Player of the Year. Dellavedova was also a finalist for the 2012 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award and continued his basketball career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
 
Under Ganot's guidance, point guard Mickey McConnell also earned first team all-WCC honors and was named the 2011 WCC Player of the Year. He is currently playing in Germany after appearing for the NBA D-League's Texas Legends last season. McConnell was named Most Valuable Player of the 2010 WCC Tournament.
 
Most recently, Ganot guided Kerry Carter (2015) and Steve Holt (2014) to all-WCC first team honors, with Carter also earning a spot on the WCC All-Academic Team.
 
Ganot arrived at Saint Mary's after spending four seasons (2006-10) at UH, starting out as director of basketball operations and then earning a promotion to full-time assistant coach by then-coach Bob Nash after just one season. Seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks, Ganot stood out for his tireless work ethic, basketball insight and devotion to the UH program. During his first stint with the Rainbow Warriors, Ganot was responsible for recruiting, scheduling, opponent scouting and player development.
 
With a coaching emphasis on the UH guards, Ganot guided the development of 2008-09 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) second team all-District 6 and second team all-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) player Roderick Flemings.
 
As UH's director of basketball operations, Ganot coordinated team travel, prepared the scout team and assisted with recruiting, scheduling and film exchange, while also handling the day-to-day operation of the basketball office.
 
Prior to UH, Ganot spent his first three years (2003-06) as a volunteer assistant at Saint Mary's under head coach Randy Bennett. Ganot was responsible for overseeing academics and assisted with scheduling and recruiting. He also coordinated film exchange and video breakdown. The Gaels went 61-33, at the time, the best three-year record in school history and twice appeared in the WCC Championship game during his stay. The 2004-05 squad finished 25-9 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for just the fourth time in school history. 
 
In 2006, Ganot received the school's Mike Gibbons Volunteer of the Year Award.
 
Ganot earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and Sociology/Anthropology at Pennsylvania's academically-elite Swarthmore College in 2003. He was a four-year letterman for the Division III school and twice served as team captain, as selected by his teammates and coaches.  A gym rat who played all five positions at Swarthmore, Ganot received the Dick Beppler Memorial Award his senior year, which recognized outstanding contribution to the men's basketball team.
The Ganot File
Hometown: Tenafly, N.J.
Education
Swarthmore College, Bachelor's in Economics, and Sociology/Anthropology, 2003
 
Playing Experience
Swarthmore College, 2000-03
Coaching Experience
2003-06 – St. Mary's, Volunteer Assistant
2006-07 – University of Hawai'i, Director of Basketball Operations
2007-10 – University of Hawai'i, Assistant Coach
2010-14 – St. Mary's, Assistant Coach
2014-15 – Associate Head Coach
 
What People Are Sayng…
"I'm excited and honored that Eran is re-joining our basketball program and returning to a state that he cherishes and thinks so fondly of. He has demonstrated the 'winning with integrity' mantra that I want all of our programs to aspire to. After his two visits with his Saint Mary's teams to the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, I always knew his heart was in Hawai'i and that this was a dream job for him. I'm excited for his future and for the future of our Rainbow Warrior basketball team."
– David Matlin, Incoming Athletics Director, University of Hawai'i
 
"Eran has a lot of great qualities, but none better than his integrity. He is a high character, loyal and humble person. In my experience with Eran, he always exceeds expectation. He promises low and delivers high. I've seen him develop over the last 12 years into an outstanding coach and an even better person. I can't begin to express how happy I am for him. This position at Hawai'i is going to be a great fit for him and for the University. We are losing a really important part of our family, but at the same time I could not be happier for him."
– Randy Bennett, Saint Mary's Head Coach
 
"Randy Bennett recommended him and that was good enough for me, because Randy's a good friend of mine. That was the best decision we made to bring Eran on board. He's a really smart guy, who knows basketball. He's a players' coach and the players will really adapt to his style. The fans will really like him. The athletics department staff will really like him. He knows Hawai'i, he loves Hawai'i, and he's not going anywhere, he's in this for the long haul."
– Riley Wallace, former UH basketball head coach (1987-06)
 
"Eran is a great young coach, who loves Hawai'i and comes from a very good program in Saint Mary's. He's a great friend of mine and I'm excited for Eran and for the University of Hawai'i and the future of the men's basketball program."
– Jamie Dixon, Head Coach, University of Pittsburgh Men's Basketball
 
"The University of Hawai'i has made an incredible hire. Eran is one of the best young coaches in the country. Not only is he a great coach but an outstanding person. Eran is a great leader, communicator, and teacher. He will build a program that will make the University and state of Hawai'i very proud. As an alumnus I couldn't be more excited about the direction of the men's basketball team. I hope the state will rally around him and help create one of the best home courts in America."
– Mark Campbell, Assistant Coach, University of Oregon Women's Basketball
 
"Eran is like a son to us, when he called to say he got the job, we told him how proud we are of him. He's grown to be a man of impeccable character and we know he'll do an outstanding job. We congratulate him and look forward to him coming home. We're also very thankful for the job Benjy did this season. He picked up the pieces and ran with it and the team did a remarkable job."
– Ruth Ono, former UH Board of Regent, avid men's basketball supporter
 
"Even after he left, Eran has always come back and he's spent a lot of time here in Hawai'i. It's like a second home to him and his heart is here. I'm glad he's getting the chance to come back and I wish him well."
– Ernest Nishizaki, Principal, Acumen Advisors
 
"I'm really excited about the news of Coach Ganot getting the head coaching job at UH. He used to always say that this was his dream job. It was always obvious to us players that he was going to be a really successful basketball coach. He is one of the few coaches that I have ever had who was a great mix of basketball IQ, work ethic, and psychology of a great coach and I think this is going to be a perfect opportunity for him and I'm sure he can't wait to get to work recruiting and building his team."
– Bill Amis, former UH basketball forward (2007-11)
 
"I'm very excited for my good friend Eran and for UH for selecting him as head coach. Eran will work hard and be a true professional in leading the program. He's a young coach who will be able to relate to players which I think is important. I wish him and UH the best of luck in the coming seasons! Go Bows!"
– Matt Lojeski, former UH guard (2005-07)
 
"I'm so happy for Eran. He deserves this job and will do great. He's the true definition of a gym rat and hard worker. I've known Eran for seven years and have not come across a better person. Eran was the reason I came to the University of Hawai'i and although I was never able to play for him, we have stayed close. There is no doubt in my mind that he will have great success by doing it the right way."
– Zane Johnson, former UH guard (2010-12)
 
"I'm very excited that Coach Ganot got the head coaching job at Hawai'i. I know it's a special place for him and it is very well deserved. EG is an incredibly hard worker who I know will be successful. I will miss seeing him at Saint Mary's but I am excited to see him take hold of this opportunity. Congratulations Coach Ganot and good luck!"
– Matthew Dellavedova, former Saint Mary's guard and current member of the Cleveland Cavaliers