The University of Hawaiʻi and men’s basketball coach Eran Ganot have struck an agreement in principle on a contract extension that will keep the Rainbow Warriors’ coach in Honolulu as the program gets set to join the Mountain West Conference. The deal comes on the heels of a season that produced a Big West tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth, and both the school and Ganot are framing it as a show of faith in staying the course. UH officials said the agreement still needs final paperwork before a formal signing happens.
Agreement in principle announced
The university said in a statement that it had “agreed in principle” to a new contract with Ganot, though full terms were not immediately disclosed. As reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, UH presented the announcement as a strategic move for stability during the looming conference transition. The school did not release salary figures or the length of the proposed extension in its statement.
AD: "Right leader" for the Mountain West
Athletic director Matt Elliott said Ganot has “proven to be the right leader” as UH prepares to step into the Mountain West and praised the coach’s steady program-building. That assessment appeared in the university statement and was noted by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Elliott framed the extension as a way to give the program continuity heading into a tougher conference slate next season.
Ganot's résumé and recent season
Ganot, who has been UH’s head coach since 2015, guided the Rainbow Warriors to a 24–9 finish and the 2026 Big West tournament title, results that strengthened his bargaining position in the talks. Those achievements and his near 200 career wins were central to the discussions, according to Spectrum News Hawaii. His tenure has also put him alongside Riley Wallace as one of the only UH coaches to lead the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
What comes next
The university reiterated that the extension is “in principle” while contract language is finalized, and a public signing date has not yet been set. Ganot told the school that he and his family love UH and that he is eager to continue leading the program and to see fans return to Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center, according to the university release and coverage by University of Hawaiʻi Athletics. With the move to the Mountain West scheduled to begin next season, the extension signals UH’s preference for continuity as it braces for a higher level of competition.
