Punahou will do a national search for the next boys head coach. They are looking at making the hire in September, hopefully.
Hawaii High School Basketball Forum
Hawaii Hoops - Forum » High School Boys
Punahou Boys Basketball Coach 2009-2010
(48 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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With Tacon staying and Moanalua and Mello staying at Maryknoll, there doesn't seem to be any good local candidates. This is a smart move for a school that has national aspirations. We'll see what kind of interest Punahou attracts.
Posted 2 years ago # -
HoopFanatic, didn't you say that they offered Mike Taylor the job outright and that he had one week to accept the offer? I know that you're well informed much of the time, but there's no telling what the AD's are thinking unless you're one of them. It's funny because I talked to Mike Taylor a few weeks ago and he specifically said that the supposed facts on this forum were false.
Posted 2 years ago # -
After AD Garcia came back, they decided to go another route. Given Punahou's image nationally, I think this is the correct decision.
I talk to Coach Taylor almost daily and there's a huge difference between giving a "politically correct" answer to the "average joe" and the real answer.
Take that for what it's worth....
Personally, I'd like to see Taliaferro get a chance.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hire nationally? That's rolling the dice. CYA, too. Moving here to be a boys bball coach does seem a stretch. Is there that much of a salary? I bet not too many fathers with wives and children will apply.
The supposed facts on this forum are UNTRUE? And next you'll tell me that the tooth fairy doesn't exist.
HF: The point I made about coaching doesn't matter came from one of your stated favorite coaches. But I didn't put it in context. He said that the seniors this year had such a high Bball IQ that coaching really didn't matter. His comment. Which is why I'm pulling for continuity.
But last year's season did prove that coaching does matter...just that it mattered in the sense that it screwed things up. There was no discipline. No continuity. No cohesion amongst coaches. No cohesion amongst starters.
That's how they could lose to St Louis at home and on the road, and then win the last one. How could they almost beat Iolani at home, then get blown out at Punahou?
If playing balls out is the criteria for who you want on your team, the big balls-out guy put the team in the hole more than the quiet but consistent team player. Look at that last St Louis game, and all the fouls. They were given because the balls-out guys were being individual heros.
But Eddie Aikau used to say, that was then and now's now.I agree with HF: let Kekoa be the coach.
Posted 2 years ago # -
LET KEKOA COACH!
Varsity experience he may not have, but he does have 10 years of PUNAHOU experience.
Some new guy they bring in might have Varsity coaching experience, but he WONT have Punahou experience and he WONT know the style of play of the ILH/OIA.
Kekoa deserves this, he knows these boys, and he will do a fine job this year and I think is going to finally bring some continuity to the program.
Posted 2 years ago # -
This is who wants the job. Pacarro and Darren have made it known that they want the job.
The ad for the new coach is already up which illustrates a desire to see what kind of interest the job manifests.
But, like I said, Kekoa should be the coach. I spent a lot of time talking to him tonight with some Punahou alums.
He is for the kids, he is for the school, and he understands the game.
He's paid his due and proved his worth to the kids and the parents.
It's time to do what is best for Punahou, and that is to hire him.
Posted 2 years ago # -
In the end, it won't matter. At least for the upcoming season.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Shaka: Are you saying that Punahou has ZERO chance to win?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Shaka always says that, haha...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Win what?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Punahou needs a coach that'll be there for the long haul, and Kekoa is definitely that kind of person. He's loyal to the school and to the game of basketball. He's paid his dues, coached at every level, and is well respected among the players. He deserves a shot at the head coaching position.
I really feel like Pacarro should also get a shot though. I'm not saying that he'd be a better option for the program, but you have to hand it to the guy. He's watched three Division I coaches come and go during his stay, he brought back the Punahou tournament only to watch his own team get outed a few years ago, and he truly cares about the kids.
I'm definitely not saying that Pacarro should be the Division I coach, because I don't know how good of a coach he'd be at the Division I level, but I just think that the guy deserves credit and a look from the AD.
I personally think that it would be crazy for Punahou to hire someone from the mainland. It doesn't make sense. It's three months from season, and for them to move down here, get settled, and eventually get to know the players and the school would take way too long. They would essentially be throwing away this season. Even someone outside locally would be hard because they wouldn't know the players. And with only a handful of returnees it would be extremely tough to make cuts.
In the end, it should be Kekoa, and if he does get it, Punahou WILL be a title contender.
Posted 2 years ago # -
good post until u mentioned pacarro. totally made u lose all credibility. that's one good one, haha.
TESTIFY!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hahaha like I said I don't know if he could handle the Division I job. In fact, I hate to say it but it would probably be a mistake for them to hire him. I was just saying that he deserves some credit for what he's done and deserves at least some recognition. I talked to him a few days ago and he said he hadn't heard one word from anyone about the job. I guess that's changed over the past few days but I think the guy deserves at least some respect. After all, one of his teams was ranked in the top 10 in the state a few years ago, all while platooning players not "Division I" caliber.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Kekoa had the seniors four years ago, and he and them clicked: they beat a really good Iolani team in the Boys Intermediate championship (which has become better and better, thanks to the KC, Toglugari, etc.). The following year, two, almost three, of those guys made varsity - they were that prepared. I'd want him to coach my kid this year. Especially if he was a senior.
Pacarro also had a bunch of these same senior players, and they won under him. He's well liked and could put together the D1 & D2 seniors better than any. Plus, he'd also be tops with parents and the administration. And not too shabby with the refs and the other coaches.
On the face of it, it doesn't make sense that a mainland coach could come in. Perhaps if there was more time, and more perspective, and the process was more thought-out. But too late.
I fear if it's anyone but these two (actually, I'd add in Mello, Matsuda, G Taylor), the season will be less than it could be. Which would be a state championship.
Posted 2 years ago # -
So IDK, is your son playing this year? Or is he sitting out like many people think?
Posted 2 years ago # -
IDK, what did Pacarro win with these seniors? Tops with administration? Where do you get your information from? If he was "tops" with administration, he wouldn't have watched Lum, Tacon, Hale, and even Gabriel who turned down the job, get the job over him.
For the 100th time, what experience does Graham Taylor have as a head coach anywhere?
And if the school took Darren seriously, they wouldn't let Hale demote him back to inter and totally off the varsity staff.
It may be cruel, but these are the truths.
As for would be a state championship, that is really wishful thinking. They have the talent to be in the mix, but to say, "would" is really vain and unrealistic.
Let's be real. While these guys are talented, what have any of the current guys won at the varsity level? And, I am not talking about winning states 2 years ago while watching from the bench.
The only Punahou guy that is worthy right now is Kekoa, not Pacarro, Darren, or Graham.
What about Sammy the mailman, Posa or John the security guards? They are nice guys, the kids love them, and admin likes the too.
Are they worthy candidates IDK? You identity is very clear.
Posted 2 years ago # -
In defense of Coach Pacarro, didn't he & his coaching staff take the Punahou Div II varsity basketball team to win the ILH Div II championships the last two years (or more) consecutively (Punahou, Iolani, Kamehameha do not qualify for the Div II States)? I know it's only the ILH Div II level, but he did factually coach these young men who weren't able to make the Punahou Div I team for one reason or another, not saying that each one of them weren't capable or talented enough of making the Varsity I squad due to many possible factors such as... bench space for the multi-talented (?) football "stuperstars", administative persuasions, parental/AD politics, or just space/uniform availability. Doesn't Coach Pacarro's accomplishments at Punahou School put him into the mix? Punahou Varsity II basketball head coaching experience, in addition to earning consecutive Punahou Varsity II ILH championships under his belt? If Hale couldn't even come close in accomplishing the task with the exceptional pool of recruited talent on last year's squad (football excuses aside), who's to say that Coach Pacarro & his experienced staff can't do a better job with real true BASKETBALL talent this year (hopefully if they all decide to come out amid these dumbfounded distractions)? Also, Darren M. is truly a great asset to Punahou School athletics ONLY as a smooth talking recruiter. He brings to Punahou junior & high school the very best athletes money & exposure can buy, & Punahou School has a whole lot of kala ($$$$$) to maintain, retain, & continue Punahou School's #1 SI rankings. But can all these pampered superstar athletes play together as one team or even come close in tackling the academic & student part of being a Punahou School student athlete? Please don't lose a gasket on one person's personal opinion or insight. Good luck to Buff n' Blue Varsity Basketball!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Wow Division 2? That should put him in the mix with Coach Williams, Coach K, and Coach Izzo.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I hope Pacarro gets the job.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I hope Pacarro or Kekoa get the job. In the end who really cares....
Posted 2 years ago # -
Is Dana Takahara-Dias available?
Posted 2 years ago # -
What about Bolla?
Posted 2 years ago # -
To begin, I have no knowledge of this Kekoa person from Punahou, except for what is transcribed on this Hawai'iHoops.com forum. I also have no animosity towards this person. All I am doing is holding myself to the lowest standards & class also displayed frequently by the so-called veterans of this Hawaii basketball website. So Solly Charlie!
HF, I have some questions for you.
1. This Kekoa character that you "gots the hots" for, clicked with several of his intermediate boys team members some four years ago. Does this qualify him to be a varsity level head coach for this year's team just because he clicked with a few kids & definitely some parents, & won a boy's intermediate level championship? Four years ago (HAS BEEN) clicking with young boys with peach fuzz & just reaching puberty is a quality you look for being a varsity level head coach (NEVER WAS)? From what I've read from you so far, it sounds like the only stripes this friendly Kekoa earned & worked for with the Punahou basketball program was ONLY KIDDY CANDY STRIPES compared to the seasoned & experienced Coach Pacarro. Sounds more like Michael Jackson at his Neverland Estate. And right now, he's a dead issue!
2. I'm pretty sure that some of Kekoa's old "buddy buddy" playas from four years back, their parent's, & several special interest groups are rooting head over heals & campaining for him to be named the next Punahou varsity I head coach this year by the school. Being in the Kekoa hui, is all your favorite sons guaranteed more playing time from their intermediate cliquing coach? You should definitely have the inside scoops on this HF, since you claim to talk to him, certain Punahou alumni, & everyone else on a daily basis. How's Barack, Osama, & Queen Liz doing? Talk to them lately?
3. Wow Division 2? I'm assuming to you, a successful Division II coach is held much lower than a has been boy's intermediate coach that won a championship some four years ago. What type of so-called Hawai'i Hoops.com Veteran or Vet are you. Are you a shell shocked WWI vet struggling with dementia, or a vet who always has his hands, nose, & head up an animal's orifice. Either way, you surely aren't a veteran when it comes down to basketball & common sense. I guess you just were given the Hawai'i Hoops.com Veteran title for the vast amount of clueless & sarcastic forum entries that you & your girlfriends rag on & submitted over the years. Congrats, you all must be so proud!
4. You can also relay to your life partner BJ that Dana Takahara-Dias wouldn't be as stupid as most coconuts would to get involved in this tangled web.
AROHA !!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Well if you would ever like to meet me to talk to me about basketball since you are so omnipotent, just name the time and place. I'd love to pick your brains about basketball. Just let me know what you have the time to "mentor" me. The real question we all should be asking is, "do you have the sacks to nut up?"
Posted 2 years ago #
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