HONOLULU — After John Montgomery left Hawaii for conference rival Long Beach State this summer, Rainbow Warriors head coach Eran Ganot had a new right-hand man ready to go.

For the last six months, Brad Davidson did the job of an associate head coach in all but name as the Rainbow Warriors prepared for the 2024-25 season. On Tuesday, Davidson got the title, too.

The fourth-year assistant was formally promoted by Ganot, UH announced.

Since his arrival from South Dakota in 2021, Davidson, a former sharpshooting guard in Australia’s National Basketball League, has coordinated UH’s offense with an emphasis on spacing and 3-point shooting, contributing to some of the program's most prolific outings from long distance. He has also taken point in international recruiting, particularly in the Pacific Rim.

"In his time here, Brad has clearly established himself as a dynamic coach and mentor and has built strong relationships with our student-athletes, staff, administration, and community," Ganot said in a statement. "Brad is terrific on the floor, in player development and on the recruiting trail, particularly internationally. We've been fortunate to have great people on staff who will go on to be great head coaches. Brad is no exception as he continues to go above and beyond to make teams better."

He is the third associate head coach of Ganot’s 10 seasons at UH, after Adam Jacobsen and Montgomery. Chris Gerlufsen was acting head coach for part of the 2019-20 season but was not associate coach.

UH held its first full practice last Friday. It will play a preseason exhibition at Hawaii Hilo on Oct. 25 and opens the regular season against Life Pacific in the Outrigger Rainbow Classic on Nov. 8.

Guard Williams awarded scholarship

Point guard Kody Williams served faithfully as a UH walk-on for the last two seasons and occasionally was summoned to hold things together for the Rainbows’ offense for key stretches of games.

Heading into his third season, his efforts were rewarded.

In a surprise ceremony at practice, the Minnetonka, Minn., native was told he will receive a scholarship for the 2024-25 season. Teammates mobbed an emotional Williams in a video shared by UH.

With that, UH has assigned its allotment of 13 scholarships for the season.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.