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University of Hawaii pitching coach Keith Zuniga is leaving the Rainbow Warrior baseball team to lead USC’s pitching staff.
Zuniga will replace Sean Allen, who resigned as the Trojans’ pitching coach last week to become Lamar University’s head baseball coach.
“I know he’s grateful for the opportunity, and he’s going to do his thing,” pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno said of Zuniga. “Great coach, great guy. … He’s got connections to Southern California. He’ll fit right in. … He deserves it. He’s going to do a great job. Being able to create bonds with everybody, I feel that’s what he does best. I know he’s going to do big things over there. It’s good for him and his family to move up the ladder in coaching. After college ball, hopefully it’s the pros for him.”
Zuniga is widely regarded as one of college baseball’s top pitching coaches. In each of his three seasons at UH, the ’Bows were one of four Division I teams to place in the top 20 nationally in earned-run average. This season, the ’Bows are third nationally with a 3.45 ERA. Big West opponents hit a league-low .216 against the ’Bows.
In 2023, Zuniga replaced Mathew Troupe, who became pitching coach at Loyola Marymount.
This past season, Zuniga developed an effective front-to-back staff. Magdaleno, who was UH’s closer in 2025, emerged as an award-winning, series-opening starter. This past week, Baseball America and Perfect Game each named Magdaleno to All-America third team. Hekili Robello, who redshirted in 2025 after transferring from Santa Rosa College, impressed as a weekend starter and diligent student. Relief pitcher Tsubasa Tomii was named to the 2026 All-Big West first team.
The ’Bows will have a reorganized coaching staff when they officially move from the Big West to the Mountain West on July 1. Earlier this week, head coach Rich Hill confirmed that Dave Nakama, UH’s hitting coach the past five seasons, was leaving the program.
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Zuniga will replace Sean Allen, who resigned as the Trojans’ pitching coach last week to become Lamar University’s head baseball coach.
“I know he’s grateful for the opportunity, and he’s going to do his thing,” pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno said of Zuniga. “Great coach, great guy. … He’s got connections to Southern California. He’ll fit right in. … He deserves it. He’s going to do a great job. Being able to create bonds with everybody, I feel that’s what he does best. I know he’s going to do big things over there. It’s good for him and his family to move up the ladder in coaching. After college ball, hopefully it’s the pros for him.”
Zuniga is widely regarded as one of college baseball’s top pitching coaches. In each of his three seasons at UH, the ’Bows were one of four Division I teams to place in the top 20 nationally in earned-run average. This season, the ’Bows are third nationally with a 3.45 ERA. Big West opponents hit a league-low .216 against the ’Bows.
In 2023, Zuniga replaced Mathew Troupe, who became pitching coach at Loyola Marymount.
This past season, Zuniga developed an effective front-to-back staff. Magdaleno, who was UH’s closer in 2025, emerged as an award-winning, series-opening starter. This past week, Baseball America and Perfect Game each named Magdaleno to All-America third team. Hekili Robello, who redshirted in 2025 after transferring from Santa Rosa College, impressed as a weekend starter and diligent student. Relief pitcher Tsubasa Tomii was named to the 2026 All-Big West first team.
The ’Bows will have a reorganized coaching staff when they officially move from the Big West to the Mountain West on July 1. Earlier this week, head coach Rich Hill confirmed that Dave Nakama, UH’s hitting coach the past five seasons, was leaving the program.
Continue reading...
