Pi’i Aiu, the head coach who guided the University of Colorado volleyball team to nine NCAA Tournament appearances in 12 seasons, will not return to CU next season, athletic director Mike Bohn said Monday.
Aiu compiled a 199-154 record (.566 winning percentage) since taking over the Buffaloes in 1997. He was named the Big 12 Conference coach of the year after his rookie season. Aiu had been directly involved with the CU volleyball team since the program’s inception in 1986. He started that season as a student manager before becoming an assistant coach in 1989, a job he kept until becoming head coach.
“I am disappointed that I won’t get to be a part of that future with the volleyball program,” Aiu said. “It has been a wonderful and unique opportunity to coach here for the past 22 years.”
In 1997, Aiu’s best season, the Buffs finished 22-9, qualifed for the Sweet 16 and finished ranked No. 14 in the nation. This past season, CU went 13-16 and finished eighth in the Big 12.
“After reviewing this season and the overall state of the volleyball program, we recognize that it’s time for a new direction, and it is best for Pi’i to step down at this time,” Bohn said.
