honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, June 17, 2009

UH hires Fisher as men's volleyball associate head coach


Advertiser Staff

University of Hawai'i head men's volleyball coach Charlie Wade announced today the hiring of Dan Fisher as the team's associate head coach.

"We are excited to add Dan to our staff," Wade said. "He brings an impressive resume as a player and coach. He's knows the MPSF, is a proven recruiter and is one of the best young coaches in the game."

Fisher has spent the past two seasons at the University of San Francisco, with the women's volleyball team. As associate head coach last season, Fisher helped guide USF to the NCAA Tournament and finished with the best season in school history. Fisher started his playing career at UH in 1995 before ending his career with Pacific.

"I'm honored and excited to come back to Hawai'i and work with Charlie and Mason," Fisher said. "I understand how important the team is to the people of Hawai'i and the expectations that come with the job."

Prior to USF, Fisher coached the men's team at Pacific for three seasons. He also was named to the USA Volleyball staff for the 2007 World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

"Dan brings a unique perspective as a player and a coach," Wade said. "As a former player at UH and having played with Yuval Katz, he knows and understands what Hawai'i volleyball means to this state."

While serving on the staff at Pacific, the men's team achieved a No. 14 national ranking and rose as high as No. 8 in 2007. In three seasons at his alma mater, Fisher worked with junior outside hitter Pekka Seppanen, who was named a second team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. In addition, Fisher worked with one U.S. National Team performer and four players earning all-MPSF honors.

A standout player and team captain for Pacific, Fisher spent three years on the U.S. National Team, beginning in 1999. In just two seasons with the Tigers, Fisher posted some dazzling numbers and litters the record books. His 3,007 career assists ranks second and his 82 aces rates fifth on the Tigers all-time charts. He was an all-MPSF First Team selection in 1998.

Wade was hired as the fifth head coach in program history on May 22, and retained assistant coach Mason Kuo as his first hire.

Fisher and Kuo each came into UH together as freshmen, both redshirted their first year and played as freshmen together their second year, before Fisher finished his career at Pacific.

Fisher played professionally in Europe for five years, including three in Spain and one season each in Belgium and Switzerland. He began his coaching career overseas, coaching Club Volleyball Menen for the 1999-2000 season and later spent the 2003-04 season coaching the Volleyball Club Appenzell Gotten Girl's Youth in Switzerland. Fisher also coached the Club Santa Barbara 16's in 2002.

A 1999 Pacific graduate with a degree in sociology, Fisher completed his master's degree in sports management in 2008. Fisher is married to former Rainbow Wahine soccer player Joni Abel, who played for UH from 1994-95.