Hawaii baseball coach Rich Hill was granted a three-year contract extension through 2029, UH announced on Friday.
The veteran Hill, who came to UH from San Diego prior to the 2022 season, was set to enter the upcoming 2026 campaign on the final year of his contract.
UH did not have a winning season in the Big West Conference prior to his arrival but has posted a winning BWC record in all four of his seasons. He is 129-81 overall and 73-41 in conference play.
“I really want to express my sincere and enthusiastic gratitude to President Wendy Hensel and Athletic Director Matt Elliott,” Hill said in a UH release. “With this next step for Hawaii baseball, it is clear we mean business. … I am honored to serve as the Rainbow Baseball head coach and look forward to continuing to bring out the best in our student-athletes, represent the amazing community of Hawaii, and foster excellence in the classroom.”
UH has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2010, but it made a run at a postseason berth in the Big West’s return of the conference championships at Cal State Fullerton last May. The Rainbows went 2-2, with both wins in elimination games, and were knocked out by eventual champion Cal Poly.
UH has posted back-to-back 35-win seasons for the first time since 1991 and 1992.
The Hill extension represents one of Elliott’s first big personnel decisions since he assumed the AD position in July.
“The winning culture that Coach Hill has created has made Rainbow Warrior baseball one of the most exciting programs in the country,” Elliott said in UH’s release. “We are thrilled that Coach will continue to develop student-athletes both on and off the field here in Hawai’i, and look forward to his leadership contributing many more memorable moments to a storied program.”
UH opens the 2026 season, its last as a member of the Big West, against Gonzaga at Les Murakami Stadium on Feb. 13.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.