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Pohai Lee steps down as Baldwin football coach

Lee: Bears players will benefit from coach that brings ‘a new energy’

Pohai Lee, shown during a game in August 2016, guided the Baldwin High School football team to outright Maui Interscholastic League titles in 2015 and 2016, as well as a Division I state tournament berth in 2019. His overall record with the Bears was 29-19, including 1-5 last year in league play. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos
Baldwin football players listen to head coach Pohai Lee (in hoodie) at the start of a practice on Oct. 7.
Pohai Lee informed Baldwin High School administrators last week that he has decided to step down as the school's head football coach, a position he has held since 2015. The Bears won outright Maui Interscholastic League titles in 2015 and 2016 and also represented the league in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division I state tournament in 2019 under Lee. Baldwin was 16-1 in MIL play under Lee in his first two seasons and 29-19 overall. His 2021 team finished 1-5 in league play. The 57-year-old will stay on as a physical education teacher at the Wailuku school. "First, I just want to say I'm thankful for all the players, coaching staff and parents, present and past, that have been part of Baldwin Bear football," Lee said Monday morning. "There were a handful of factors that went into my decision and the one big one, the big reason for me stepping down, was I really believe it's in the best interest of this group that they have a new culture, and by that I mean a new energy. "Not necessarily the same, but different in a go-getter-type of way." Lee said that the 2020 season wiped out by the pandemic took a toll on him. "COVID did something to me where it made me a little more civilized and with all the things that go into head coach's duties and those things, it's tough at times," Lee said. "That's kind of what happened with me. So, basically I made the decision to step away from football here. I'm still here at Baldwin. I'm not leaving for another job, for another head-coaching job or anything like that. It's just the football part that I'm stepping away from." Lee said he would not rule out the possibility of coaching again someday. "For me, it's never say never -- I take it year to year," Lee said. "But the question that you are referring to as an assistant -- and this is something that I would want anybody to do in terms of a new guy coming in and if I wanted to stay on? No, I think whoever comes in should have their choice of who they want to bring in to coach." Asked if he would stay on the Baldwin staff in 2022 if asked, Lee said: "No. I'm pretty firm in that, you know, staying away for a little while. It's time to reconnect with family and those types of things. In a way, I think it's best for everybody." When asked if the wins and losses over the last few years went into his decision, Lee said: "I hate losing. I'm not going to hide that fact. The league is a lot stronger now definitely. I will say that this group that I'm going out with was a great group. I mean, one of the best attitude, character groups I've had. "I love the group, I love the coaches and the job they did, but that (win-loss record) was kind of a minor thing. It's more just getting a guy that is going to kind of get these guys going. I think kids respond to that kind of energy." Lee spent 2002-05 at Baldwin as the school's offensive coordinator. He spent one year at Damien as athletic director in 2006-07, coached offense under his father Tommy Lee at the University of Western Montana from 2007-10, and then coached at McKinley as offensive coordinator from 2011-14. Baldwin athletic director Wade Hondo issued a statement late Monday night that read: "Baldwin High School Athletics would like to wholeheartedly thank Coach Pohai Lee for all the time, effort and steadfast energy he gave to all the student-athletes of the Baldwin Bears football program these past years. "Besides teaching our players the skills and strategies of the sport, Coach Lee truly believed in educational athletics and the value of academics and the character of the person beyond the football field. He worked tirelessly with his staff to get our players to better themselves while always emphasizing the team and team concepts." Hondo will miss Lee's acumen, on the football field and off of it. "With all of his accomplishments and successes with his teams on the field, what has always stood out to me is his dedication and his honesty," Hondo said in his statement. "When you are the head of any well-known program, you are always under a microscope and there is always the temptation to sacrifice principle for prestige. I have never once had to question Pohai's integrity or his intentions, never once doubted his motives or character. Pohai always knew where the line was and always operated in the right even when it may be easier to take shortcuts or let situations get out of hand. "As he steps away, in addition to thanking him for being our head football coach, I would like to thank him more for always representing our department and our school in a positive way. I am saddened by his departure, but know that if anyone deserves more time to spend with family and friends it is Coach Lee." When asked about his most fond memory of being the Bears' head coach, Lee said: "Gosh, there were so many I can't pinpoint one. The first years were great, doing something with this group coming back, that was pretty special. But then again, every team was special in their own way, including this last team." Lee quickly added, "I've got to say it's been an honor and privilege serving Baldwin High School. And you know the one guy I really am grateful for is -- Wade (Hondo) has done a great job in terms of helping out -- but the guy that brought me back was coach (Kahai) Shishido (the former AD). I will always be grateful to him." Lee said his health was not a large factor in his decision to step away. "You know, it could be better," he said. "That's something I want to work on, but in terms of health, I'm OK. With the COVID going around, you know, but everything else is OK. I need to get better a little physically, lose a few pounds -- COVID took a toll there, too. I definitely can always be better in that way." Lee sees the Baldwin job as a good one. "There's a lot of young talent here and I'm glad Kyle Sanches, he came on board and he's done a great job as well helping us with kind of taking on team parent role, but also he's been finding guys on campus who look the part, can play ball," Lee said. "We're recruiting within our little community here at Baldwin. The future is definitely bright." Lee said that any of his 2021 assistants would be a good hire. They include Sanches, Rodney Figueroa, Nephi Laga Sr., John Jakubczak, Brandon Asuega-Stark and Chase Bell. "Any of those guys that want to apply within the existing staff I would endorse and I would like to see if they choose to stay on," Lee said. "They're all great guys. I would like to see them with the program moving on." Lee leaves with a smile on his face. "Very appreciative again for the opportunity and I wish nothing but the best moving forward for Baldwin High School football," Lee said. "There's a lot of young talent that is going to be improving in future years." * Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com. [gallery ids="948212,948211"]

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