Hawaii Pacific University Athletics

Jesse Nakanishi is in his second year as the head coach for the Sharks, continuing to build on his legacy of success and community engagement. In the 2023-24 season, he guided the team to an 18-11 overall record and a 13-7 mark in conference play, leading the Sharks to their first PacWest Conference Tournament appearance in seven years. Under his leadership, the team established itself as a defensive powerhouse, ranking first in multiple defensive categories within the PacWest. In the 2024-25 season, the Sharks led the PacWest in rebounding while finishing with a 15-14 overall record and a 10-10 conference record, securing seventh place in the standings.
Beyond the court, Nakanishi has been instrumental in community engagement efforts, particularly through the Shark Bite Mentorship Program. Each month, Sharks players visit Noelani and Manoa Elementary Schools to engage with students through healthy living discussions, reading sessions, games, and recess activities. His commitment to community service contributed to the Sharks receiving the NCAA DII Award of Excellence Runner-Up recognition in the 2023-24 season.
Before taking over as head coach, Nakanishi served as the Associate Head Coach at HPU for six seasons from 2011-12 through the PacWest-winning 2016-17 campaign. He also held roles as the director of basketball operations at Seattle University for one season and at the University of Hawai‘i for three seasons. During his previous tenure with HPU, he played a crucial role in the Sharks' sustained success, including their historic 2016-17 season, when they posted a 29-3 record, won the PacWest title, and secured the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Division II West Regional.
Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Nakanishi built a powerhouse program at his alma mater, Kamehameha-Kapalama. Over eight seasons (1999-2011), his teams amassed a 174-65 record, competed in elite national tournaments, and secured seven state tournament berths. He guided Kamehameha to state championships in 2009 and 2011, ending a 17-year title drought, and also led them to a runner-up finish in 2010.
Nakanishi earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology/anthropology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore., where he also played collegiate basketball. He later obtained a master’s degree in counseling & guidance from the University of Hawai‘i-Manoa.
Head Coaching Record at HPU