Kalani Mahi Named OU Volleyball Coach

Feb. 11, 2000

Coach Mahi Audio!

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione announced today the hiring of Kalani Mahi as the head volleyball coach for the Sooners, pending approval by the OU Board of Regents.

Mahi most recently filled the role of first assistant under the highly regarded Head Coach Julie Morgan at Illinois State. The Redbirds finished the 1999 campaign with an overall record of 17-12 and a Missouri Valley Conference mark of 14-4. ISU advanced to the championship match of the State Farm MVC Tournament before falling to nationally ranked Northern Iowa.

"I am very excited to be here," said Mahi. "To coach at this level and in the Big 12 Conference is a dream come true. This is what I have worked for the last 14 years as a collegiate coach and to have the opportunity to be at an institution like Oklahoma, which has a very competitive volleyball conference and great staff -- what more could you ask for? I'm so excited.

"I am passionate about coaching and the game of volleyball," stated Mahi.

Prior to ISU, Mahi was a member of the coaching staff at Bradley University for six years. He served as the head coach from 1995-1997 guiding the Braves to three consecutive Missouri Valley Conference Tournament appearances, a feat that had not been accomplished in previous years. He joined BU's program as an assistant coach in 1992.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the hiring of Kalani Mahi," said Castiglione. "His background and passion for the sport will provide him the opportunity to move our volleyball program to the top of the Big 12 Conference. He is a well respected teacher of the game and prides himself on being a well-rounded coach on and off the court."

Active on the collegiate level for the past 12 years, Mahi has been heavily involved in USA National Development Camps in the Midwest. Mahi, who's been labeled as an excellent recruiter and judge of talent, enjoys staying active within the volleyball community.

Mahi started his coaching career as an assistant at the University of Mississippi, where he earned a master's degree in physical education in 1990. Following his two-year stint at Mississippi, Mahi went to Tazmania (Australia) where he played and coached on a men's state team while working with Tazmania's volleyball association in development, training and administrative service to players at all levels.

Mahi graduated from Graceland College in Iowa in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in marketing and an minor in economics. The native Hawaiian is also a 1981 graduate of Kamehameha High School.

Mahi and his wife, Christy, are expecting their first child in June.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors