Hawai'i Pacific University announced yesterday that Darren Vorderbruegge will succeed Tony Sellitto at the conclusion of this season as men's head basketball coach.

It will be Vorderbruegge's second stint leading the Sea Warrior men. He was first appointed to head the program in 2006, but was promoted to athletics director the following year and relinquished coaching duties to Sellitto, who made his return to HPU after retiring in 2002 due to health reasons.

"Coach V has done a wonderful job as HPU's athletic director, and is an invaluable member of the University's leadership team," HPU president Chatt Wright said. "He has the background, experience and coaching skills to lead the Sea Warriors back to national prominence."

Vorderbruegge began his coaching career in 1987 as an assistant at West Elk High School in Kansas and spent 13 years in the prep ranks before he became associate head coach at Northwest Missouri State University, where he helped the Bearcats advance twice to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II Tournament.

"Sea Warrior basketball is on the rise and I am grateful to president Wright for the opportunity to lead our tradition-rich program," Vorderbruegge said.

Vorderbruegge said he will retain assistant coach Darrell Matsui. He also announced the addition of Sky Wilson, who led Kaläheo High to its last state basketball title in 2001, as an assistant coach. Wilson played for Vorderbruegge at Northwest Missouri State.

Vorderbruegge's HPU teams went 18-36 in his two seasons at the helm. He will remain as athletics director.