ONOLULU – Rich Hill has been named the new head coach of the University of Hawai‘i baseball program, Athletics Director David Matlin announced Friday, June 18. Hill is the program’s third-ever head coach and will be formally introduced at a virtual press conference at 10:00 a.m.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Rich, Lori, Robbie and Lindsey to Hawai‘i, the university, and the UH Athletics ‘ohana,” Matlin said. “We are excited for this new chapter of Rainbow Warrior Baseball to begin with Coach Hill at the helm. He is a high-energy coach who has a proven track record with over 1,000 wins in 35 years of coaching. It was evident after speaking with those who know him best, Coach Hill a man of integrity and high moral values, who has a plan for success and vision for the future of Hawai‘i baseball. In addition, what made Coach Hill the perfect fit is his affinity to the islands as a frequent visitor and he knows and understands the baseball culture in Hawai‘i.”
Hill comes to Manoa with 35 years of head coaching experience, of which the last 23 at the University of San Diego. Hill brings a head coaching record of 1,079-738-4 (.594) and most recently led the Toreros to a 33-12 season and a second-place finish in the West Coast Conference in 2021.
“I am beyond humbled and honored to serve the University of Hawai‘i as the next head baseball coach,” Rich Hill said. “I have so much respect for the proud tradition of Rainbow Warrior Baseball and feel blessed to be part of this program. From what Coach Les started and Coach Trapasso built upon, to the great players past and present, it is truly a special culture. I especially want to thank President David Lassner and Director of Athletics David Matlin for giving me and my family this opportunity of a lifetime. They have been phenomenal throughout this process. We look forward to embedding ourselves in the community and bringing our brand of tough, fundamentally strong, winning baseball to the great state of Hawai‘i!”
In his 24 seasons at San Diego, Hill’s Toreros have gone 747-514-4; made it to eight NCAA Regionals; earned the program’s first-ever national seed (2007); won seven West Coast Conference titles (since 2002); and coached two national players of the year (Kris Bryant, 2013, Golden Spikes Award and Brian Matusz, 2008, National Pitcher of the Year).
Four of Hill’s former assistant coaches are currently head coaches on the west coast, including Lindsay Meggs (Washington), Jay Johnson (Arizona), Eric Valenzuela (Long Beach State) and Brian Green (Washington State).
As skipper, USD produced three consecutive Major League Draft first round picks from 2013-15 in Kris Bryant, Conner Joe and Kyle Holder. The Toreros had 61 players sign a pro contract from 2010 to present, ranking 16th in the country and first among non-Power Five programs in advancing players to the professional level in that span.
In 2021, Hill mentored All-American Thomas Luevano and freshman All-American Jack Costello, while also shaping the production of six all-WCC players. As a team, the Toreros had the 10th-best winning percentage (.733); had a final RPI of 63; and were ranked 23rd nationally in average (.299), eighth in doubles per game (2.29) and third in sacrifice flies (35). Luevano, a 2021 All-American, led the country in RBI per game (1.44).
Hill became one of the youngest coaches in collegiate history to reach 500 career victories in 2003, taking USD into postseason play and a second consecutive NCAA Regional appearance.
At USD, Hill was named WCC Coach of the Year five different times (2002, ’07-08, ’10 and ’15).
Before his 23 seasons at San Diego, Hill led the San Francisco Dons to a 139-144 record over five seasons but posted a remarkable turnaround in his final season, taking the Dons from last in the conference to a title winning club. During his time at USF, Hill guided the Dons to three-consecutive winning seasons, including a school-record 18 wins in WCC play in 1998.
Prior to his San Francisco stint, Hill led his alma mater, California Lutheran for the 1988-93 seasons, finishing his career there with a 193-80 record over six seasons. During his six seasons at Cal Lutheran, 92 percent of his players received their degrees.
Hill has set school records for wins in a season at both California Lutheran (43) and San Diego (44). He has also been a part of USA Baseball in eight different seasons, including as head coach of the 2015 U.S. Collegiate National Team.
The Hill File
Overall Record: 1,079-738-4 (34 seasons)
Alma Mater: Cal Lutheran (1984)
Family: Wife Lori and children Robbie and Lindsey
Coaching Experience
1988-93: Cal Lutheran, head coach
1994-98: San Francisco, head coach
1999-2021: San Diego, head coach
Current Torero Big Leaguers (draft year)
Paul Sewald, Seattle Mariners (2012)
Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs (2013)
Connor Joe, Colorado Rockies (2014)
Riley Adams, Toronto Blue Jays (2017)
