Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
After a near decade as an assistant coach, Chad Giesseman is stepping away from the University of Hawaiʻi men’s volleyball program.
Giesseman announced over the weekend that he will not return for the 2027 season, opting instead to take on a larger role with the club volleyball scene in Hawaiʻi.
During his tenure alongside head coach Charlie Wade, the Rainbow Warriors won three NCAA championships, made six Final Four appearances and captured four Big West Conference championships.
“I still find it unbelievable that I had that opportunity and the run that I had these last nine seasons with the team,” Giesseman said. “I basically had the best seat in the house the last nine years.”
Giesseman also credited Wade, who enters his 18th season as UH’s head coach, for playing an important role in his development.
“Charlie was not only one of my mentors, he’s been one of my friends,” Giesseman said. “Being able to sit on the bench and give my input during some of those big games — I’ll never forget those.”
Giesseman, a Honolulu police officer, also helps run the Police Activities League on the Windward side of Oʻahu. He is the director of Hi-Bred Volleyball Club, which has grown to include about 250 boys and girls.
“With the club volleyball opportunities that I have now with my new club, Hi-Bred Volleyball Club, the club was growing,” Giesseman said. “We have 250 boys and girls playing for our club, and it’s only going to get bigger. I felt that it was time to make the commitment. If they’re going to commit to playing for my club, I needed to give them more time.”
Giesseman’s departure comes after a historic 2026 season in which the Rainbow Warriors captured their third NCAA championship during his tenure.
UH also lost assistant coach Donan Cruz following the 2026 season. Cruz left the program to become associate head coach of the BYU women’s volleyball program.
Associate head coach Kupono Fey remains on Wade’s staff heading into the 2027 season.
Hawaii News, Hawaii Weather, Hawaii Sports
See more of the team that is Working for Hawaii on our website: khon2.com
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports and entertainment, subscribe to the KHON2 YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii?sub_confirmation=1
Check out our morning news podcast: khon2.com/khon-2go
Sign up to receive the latest Hawaii news in your inbox: nxslink.khon2.com/join/6sd/signup
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports, and entertainment! Follow KHON2 on our social channels:
youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii
facebook.com/khon2news
twitter.com/KHONnews
instagram.com/khonnews
After a near decade as an assistant coach, Chad Giesseman is stepping away from the University of Hawaiʻi men’s volleyball program.
Giesseman announced over the weekend that he will not return for the 2027 season, opting instead to take on a larger role with the club volleyball scene in Hawaiʻi.
During his tenure alongside head coach Charlie Wade, the Rainbow Warriors won three NCAA championships, made six Final Four appearances and captured four Big West Conference championships.
“I still find it unbelievable that I had that opportunity and the run that I had these last nine seasons with the team,” Giesseman said. “I basically had the best seat in the house the last nine years.”
Giesseman also credited Wade, who enters his 18th season as UH’s head coach, for playing an important role in his development.
“Charlie was not only one of my mentors, he’s been one of my friends,” Giesseman said. “Being able to sit on the bench and give my input during some of those big games — I’ll never forget those.”
Giesseman, a Honolulu police officer, also helps run the Police Activities League on the Windward side of Oʻahu. He is the director of Hi-Bred Volleyball Club, which has grown to include about 250 boys and girls.
“With the club volleyball opportunities that I have now with my new club, Hi-Bred Volleyball Club, the club was growing,” Giesseman said. “We have 250 boys and girls playing for our club, and it’s only going to get bigger. I felt that it was time to make the commitment. If they’re going to commit to playing for my club, I needed to give them more time.”
Giesseman’s departure comes after a historic 2026 season in which the Rainbow Warriors captured their third NCAA championship during his tenure.
UH also lost assistant coach Donan Cruz following the 2026 season. Cruz left the program to become associate head coach of the BYU women’s volleyball program.
Associate head coach Kupono Fey remains on Wade’s staff heading into the 2027 season.
Hawaii News, Hawaii Weather, Hawaii Sports
See more of the team that is Working for Hawaii on our website: khon2.com
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports and entertainment, subscribe to the KHON2 YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii?sub_confirmation=1
Check out our morning news podcast: khon2.com/khon-2go
Sign up to receive the latest Hawaii news in your inbox: nxslink.khon2.com/join/6sd/signup
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports, and entertainment! Follow KHON2 on our social channels:
youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii
facebook.com/khon2news
twitter.com/KHONnews
instagram.com/khonnews
