University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa women’s water polo Associate Head Coach James Robinson has been selected as the next Rainbow Wahine head coach starting with the 2024–25 season, UH Mānoa Athletics Director Craig Angelos announced March 5.
Robinson joined the UH staff in 2022 and will succeed Head Coach Maureen Cole, who announced in November 2023 that she will retire from coaching following the current season. Cole’s retirement goes into effect on June 30 and Robinson will be the fourth head coach to lead the Rainbow Wahine since the UH water polo program made its debut in 1998.
“I am extremely excited and honored to be given the opportunity to lead the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Wahine water polo program,” Robinson said. “Thank you to Craig Angelos for hiring me and giving me this opportunity. I also thank David Matlin who hired me back in 2022. This program has enjoyed 12 seasons of incredible coaching and leadership under Coach Mo, and I am extremely grateful to her for everything she has done for me and Wahine water polo during her time as head coach. I am honored to step into her shoes.”
Like Cole, Robinson is a graduate of UCLA and was a member of three national championship teams with the Bruins (2014, ’15 and ’17). He played professionally with the Hunter Hurricanes in Australia and began his coaching career in 2018, working at both the club and high school levels in New Zealand. He returned to UCLA in 2019 as an assistant coach with the Bruins women’s team and helped the program compile a 58-13 record during his three seasons back in Westwood. He was hired as UH associate head coach in 2022 and assisted Cole in leading the Rainbow Wahine to a 21-6 season in 2023.
“So many people said so many good things about James, not the least of which was the U.S. National Team coach who had some really high praise,” Angelos said. “We’re thrilled to have him and we’re excited that he’s decided to take on the position, and we think it’s going to continue the great tradition Rainbow Wahine water polo has built.”
In 2024, Robinson helped the No. 2 Rainbow Wahine earn the highest national ranking in program history. UH‘s start has included two wins over teams ranked No. 1 in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Top 25 in Stanford and USC. Coming off a runner-up finish in the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, the Rainbow Wahine open Big West play on the road at UC Davis on March 8 and at No. 4 California on March 10.
