UH AD Elliott working on keeping hoops coach Ganot around

Hawaii basketball coach Eran Ganot's contract expires soon, but athletic director Matt Elliott wants him to return next season.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 10:05am

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The University of Hawaii is hoping to retain head basketball coach Eran Ganot, whose contract is set to expire on April 30. Athletic director Matt Elliott said he wants Ganot to come back, and the two are in ongoing discussions about a new deal. Ganot has been focused on building the 2025-26 roster and is not thinking about his contract situation, saying he coaches for the players and their growth. The Rainbow Warriors had a successful season, winning the Big West Conference title and making the NCAA Tournament, though they lost in the first round.

Why it matters

Retaining Ganot would provide stability and continuity for the Hawaii basketball program, which has seen success under his leadership. Ganot has assembled a talented roster for next season, and the university is eager to keep him in place to continue building the program.

The details

Ganot's contract is set to expire on April 30, and athletic director Matt Elliott said he wants Ganot to return next season. Ganot has been focused on building the 2025-26 roster, signing several new players including a 7-foot center and a junior college Player of the Year. The Rainbow Warriors had a successful season, winning the Big West Conference title and making the NCAA Tournament, though they lost in the first round to SEC champion Arkansas.

  • Ganot's current contract is set to expire on April 30, 2026.
  • Elliott was officially hired as Hawaii's athletic director on July 1, 2025.

The players

Eran Ganot

The head basketball coach of the University of Hawaii, who has led the program to success and is in discussions for a new contract.

Matt Elliott

The athletic director of the University of Hawaii, who wants to keep Ganot as the basketball coach.

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What they’re saying

“I want him to come back.”

— Matt Elliott, Athletic Director, University of Hawaii

“My whole life, I have great conviction and faith and belief in what we do. I'm going to talk about what we have and not what we don't, what we can do and not what we can't. That faith and conviction always puts you in position to enjoy where your feet are at, and whatever happens, happens. Everything happens for a reason. Right now, the whole year I have not thought about (a new contract), and now I'm not thinking about it, because that's not why I coach. I coach for these kids, to see a team come together, and a student-athlete grow, and I'm going to enjoy that. I'm going to take a breath, and we can circle back to that stuff.”

— Eran Ganot, Head Basketball Coach, University of Hawaii

What’s next

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