Law Resigns From UH Hilo Men’s Hoops Program

Following two consecutive losing seasons, Jeff Law has resigned from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo men’s basketball program.

The university announced Monday afternoon that Law has accepted the head coaching position at Western New Mexico University. Law will replace Mark Coleman, who is stepping down but will remain with the school as their director of athletics.

Law was hired in 1998 following a stint as an assistant coach under Riley Wallace at the University of Hawai`i. During the 2002-2003 season, he took the Vulcans to the NCAA Division II West Regional, the first time the program had ever qualified for the tournament.

During the 2004-2005 season, Law coached a team that went 25-4 and, for three weeks, held the top spot in the West regional rankings. He was named Coach of the Year in both the Pacific West Conference and the NABC/NCAA Division II West Region.

In his 15 years as head coach, Law had a record of 208-188. His win total puts him second all-time in program history behind Jimmy Yagi, who had 218.

“Every assistant coach looks for that break and I’m very grateful the university and the Hilo community gave me mine,” Law said in a statement released by the university. “I’ve learned much over the past 15 years about myself, coaching and people but it’s time that I move on. Hilo holds a special place for anyone who has been here and it will with me.”

In the past four seasons, the Vulcans have struggled to compete in the PacWest conference, finishing with a record of 22-45 in league play. The school finished under .500 every season in the PWC except for the 2010-2011 season when they finished 8-8 in conference and 16-11 overall. Overall, the Vulcans finished 44-60 in the last four seasons.

UHH finished the 2012-2013 season with a 4-13 conference record and a 6-19 overall record.

“The university is very grateful for the stability and leadership Coach Law has provided to Vulcans men’s basketball for the past 15 years,” said UHH Director of Athletics Dexter Irvin in a statement. “We look forward to a new opportunity and we will move forward as quickly as allowable to hire a new and well qualified coach. Our men’s basketball program has been the flagship of our athletic program, and the accomplishments of our students and the team is important in building the overall success of athletics at UH Hilo.”