Khalilah Mitchell has been named as the head coach of the University of Hawaii women’s basketball program. Photo courtesy University of Hawaii

The University of Hawaii announced Tuesday that Khalilah Mitchell has been hired as the ninth head coach of the Rainbow Wahine basketball program.

Mitchell was an integral figure in Hawaii’s rise to Big West prominence over seven seasons as an assistant coach. She succeeds Laura Beeman, who announced her retirement March 30 after 14 years as head coach.

Mitchell was introduced at a press conference Wednesday in the Ed Wong Hospitality Room in Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. She agreed to a three-year term with the University of Hawaii, which will join the Mountain West as a full member July 1.

“After an extensive search that drew interest from across the country, it became clear that the best leader for our program was already right here in Manoa,” Hawaii athletic director Matt Elliott said. “Khalilah Mitchell embodies everything we look for in a head coach: integrity, a relentless work ethic and a deep-seated passion for the student-athletes.”

Mitchell joined Hawaii’s coaching staff in 2018 and helped guide the Rainbow Wahine to four postseason appearances and three Big West regular-season championships. The Rainbow Wahine went 124-81 during her tenure as an assistant and posted at least 20 wins in each of her last four seasons with the program.

“Khalilah Mitchell is a proven leader with a strong commitment to player development and a deep understanding of the Rainbow Wahine program,” university President Wendy Hensel said. “As an integral part of our recent success, she brings continuity, credibility and a clear vision for the future. We’re confident she will build on the foundation established by Coach Beeman and continue to elevate our student-athletes on and off the court.”

Mitchell has focused on player development during her time at Hawaii, and her hiring provides continuity for a roster coming off a 22-11 season in 2025-26. The team rebounded from a 6-9 start to go on a 16-1 surge and reach the Big West tournament final.

Mitchell has played a key role in the development of some of the most prominent players in program history, including Big West Player of the Year honorees Amy Atwell and Lily Wahinekapu, Hawaii’s career 3-point leader MeiLani McBee, and all-conference players Daejah Phillips and Imani Perez.

Mitchell’s elevation comes after her selection to the 2026 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Next Generation Institute, a program designed for assistant coaches identified as future leaders of the sport.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be named the head coach of the University of Hawaii women’s basketball program,” Mitchell said. “I want to thank Matt Elliott for his trust in me. Hawaii has become my home, and these student-athletes are my family. Coach Beeman set a standard of excellence here that is unmatched, and I am eager to build upon that foundation. Our goal remains the same: to compete for championships and represent this state and this university with pride.”

A graduate of LSU, Mitchell was part of five Final Four teams from 2004-08, including a redshirt season due to injury. She began her coaching career in 2009 as a graduate assistant at the University of Central Florida and was elevated to assistant coach in 2011.

She arrived at Hawaii in 2018 and helped the Rainbow Wahine place second in the Big West and earn a WNIT bid in her first season. She helped Hawaii capture both the conference regular-season and tournament titles for the first time in program history in 2021-22, then spent the 2022-23 season as an assistant at San Jose State.

She returned the following season and helped guide the team to two more regular-season titles and back-to-back WNIT appearances.

“What a perfect hire for the University of Hawaii,” LSU associate head coach Bob Starkey said. “Khalilah has a deep love for that community and understands its traditions. More importantly, she is an excellent coach and teacher who genuinely cares about her student-athletes. I have known Khalilah for over 20 years, including coaching her at LSU. She has a contagious enthusiasm and a desire to lead that will guide the Rainbow Wahine to excellence on and off the court.”

Mitchell takes over a program that went 244-180 under Beeman. The Rainbow Wahine made nine postseason appearances and won four Big West regular-season titles and three conference tournament championships during her tenure.

“There is no one more prepared for this moment than Khalilah Mitchell,” Beeman said. “She has been an integral part of the success of our program, and her basketball IQ is only surpassed by her ability to connect with young women. I am stepping away knowing the program is in the best possible hands. I can’t wait to sit in the stands at the Stan Sheriff Center and cheer on Coach Mitchell and this team.”