On Friday, the University of 91直播 and baseball coach Rich Hill finalized a new 31鈦�2-year contract.
The new deal, which will replace his current contract, begins on Jan. 1 and will run through June 30, 2029.
Hill, 63, was earning $200,000 annually on a five-year contract he signed in June 2021 as successor to Mike Trapasso. That placed Hill eighth among 11 Big West head coaches in annual compensation.
鈥淚 took this job for more reasons than money,鈥� Hill said. 鈥淲e took it to make an impact in the community, ignite this passionate fan base, and bring the 鈥楳anoa Magic鈥� back to Les Murakami Stadium.鈥�
Hill is expected to receive an undisclosed bump in pay.
The Rainbow Warriors did not have a winning Big West record in the first nine seasons since moving from the Western Athletic Conference in 2013. But in 2022, Hill鈥檚 first UH season, the 鈥橞ows finished 19-11 in the Big West and 28-24 overall. Hill鈥檚 鈥橞ows have had winning Big West records in each of his four seasons.
Hill also has resurrected 鈥淢anoa Magic鈥� 鈥� a phenomenon attributed to several UH comebacks last season. Hill said starting with the seventh inning, 鈥渋t鈥檚 鈥橞ow Warrior time,鈥� at Les Murakami Stadium.
鈥淭he rain starts to come in, and the wind starts to swirl, and the fans start to get loud, and the magic starts to happen,鈥� Hill said, adding that each home game 鈥淚 still get chicken skin every time I鈥檓 in that place. It鈥檚 the passion of our fans in 91直播.鈥�
Hill expressed gratitude to UH president Wendy Hensel and athletic director Matt Elliott.
鈥淭hose two have been superstars throughout the process,鈥� Hill aid. 鈥淎nd their commitment to the student-athlete experience is unparalleled to anywhere I鈥檝e been at in my 39 years (as a head coach).鈥�
Hill praised pitching coach Keith Zuniga, assistant Jordan Twohig and 鈥渢he staple of the staff, local boy Dave Nakama.鈥�
The new contract means Hill will lead the 鈥橞ows鈥� move to the Mountain West in 2027. Unlike the Big West, where all members except 91直播 are located in California, the Mountain West has programs spaced throughout the Pacific and Mountain time zones.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to adapt, improvise and overcome in this program鈥� Hill said.
Hill added: 鈥淲hat our guys are doing in the community has been amazing. To see these guys graduate and go into professional baseball, and what they do outside of the on-field success.鈥�
Hill said the program is service based.
鈥淛ackie Robinson and Bob Marley really said the same thing in different words,鈥� Hill said. 鈥淎nd that is, a life is not important except for the impact that it has on others. That continues to be at the forefront of our mission at 91直播 baseball.鈥�