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Nine months later Hawai’i coach Charlie Wade is receiving the national award that had been in limbo.
The AVCA announced Wednesday that Wade was selected as the 2019 NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball National Coach of the Year.
Wade last season guided the Rainbow Warriors to the Big West championship and the program’s NCAA Tournament finals in 16 years. In addition, Hawai’i set a single-season program record with 28 victories and opened the season winning 74 consecutive sets.
The presentation of the National Coach of the Year typically occurs in late-April. However, the AVCA delayed the presentation because of a pending investigation into Wade by the U.S. Center for Safe Sport regarding sexual misconduct allegations from the 1990s.
Wade was removed from USA Volleyball’s suspended members list last week following a 17-month investigation.
This is the second time that a Hawai’i coach has received the National Coach of the Year. Former coach Mike Wilton also received the honor 2002 after leading the Rainbow Warriors to the NCAA Tournament finals.
Along with Wade being named the National Coach of the Year, Hawai’i assistant coach Josh Walker in September was selected as the National Assistant Coach of the Year.
Hawai’i opened the 2020 season at No. 1 in both the national coaches poll and national media poll. The team has not lost a set in its first five matches so far this season.