Coach Pono begins his first season of competition in the 2025-26 school year.
Pono is the first ever SBU men's volleyball head coach. He worked on recruiting for the program during the 2024-25 school year bringing nearly 20 athletes to the brand new program.
"We are very excited to add Coach Yin to lead our new men's volleyball program." Sheehy said, "He has great experience and has a heart to help people. He will be a great addition to our community and University!"
Coach Pono joins the Bearcats after being a women's volleyball assistant coach and team coordinator at Winthrop University. His focus was on overall offense and setters where his setter led the Big South in assists per set. He helped lead the team to a top 3 Big South regular season and tournament finish.
Prior to Winthrop, coach Pono was the head coach of men's volleyball team at Lee's McCrae University. He led the team to their winningest season in five years along with coaching a player to First Team All-Conference. That same player was the NCAA stat leader for kills per set with 5.23 K/S that season.
"I am deeply honored and grateful to have been chosen to build and lead the new men's volleyball program for SBU." Pono said, "A heartfelt thank you to President Melson, Athletic Director Sheehy, and the entire athletic department for this incredible opportunity. GO BEARCATS"
Before leading his own program, coach Pono was at Division I Drake University for two years. He helped coach one player of the year award and three 1st-Team All-MVC. Pono also has coaching experience at his alma mater in Graceland University for three years. He did individual and small group training sessions during the off season for both men's and women's programs.
"Embarking on the journey to establish a men's volleyball program at Southwest Baptist University is both exciting and inspiring." Yin said, "It promises new opportunities for student-athletes by fostering teamwork, leadership, character, and diversity."
Pono graduated from Graceland University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. During his time there he played volleyball from 2004-2009.
