Keith Zuniga, his wife and their two young daughters love Hawai‘i and always will.
Zuniga, 34, joined the University of Hawai‘i baseball team's coaching staff following the 2023 season, where he served as the program's pitching coach, recruiting coordinator and associate head coach. Led by Zuniga, the Rainbow Warrior pitching staff led the country in ERA in 2024 and were 18th nationally in 2025. In 2026, the 'Bows were third nationally in ERA and fifth in the country in walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP).
With numbers like that, interest in Zuniga from other programs across the country has been prevalent for multiple offseasons. But on Saturday, Zuniga received an opportunity he couldn't refuse: An offer from USC to become the program's new pitching coach. USC's former pitching coach Sean Allen departed to become the head coach at Lamar, leaving a void filled by Zuniga.
USC, one of college baseball's most traditional powers, has 12 national championships under its belt and recently decided to invest more resources toward the program under head coach Andy Stankiewicz. Before reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2025 and 2026, the Trojans had a 10-year postseason drought.
Zuniga was on a UH recruiting trip in Japan when the offer from USC materialized. After weighing the decision, Zuniga returned to O‘ahu early.
"I was in the middle of a flight to Japan to recruit for Hawai‘i on Thursday, and literally in the middle of flight was when everything transpired," Zuniga recalled to Aloha State Daily. "I landed in Tokyo, spent less than 24 hours and flew out that very next night. I spent Saturday in Tokyo, and I flew back to Hawai‘i, and spent the entire Saturday in Hawai‘i. I had an eight-day week."
The length of the week only added to the weight of the decision for Zuniga, who says his young family was truly fulfilled by the Island lifestyle.
"When it comes to family, man, that's been the most difficult part of this entire decision, because I truly believe that there is no better place to raise a family than Hawai‘i. I truly mean that," he said. "I'm excited, I'm a little torn for my daughters, because the school system, the people here have been unbelievable. Everything we've done is done as a family. We're all excited for this new opportunity, but obviously that family portion, the ‘ohana, and the love and joy we've experienced here on the island, that's something we're truly going to miss and cherish forever."
Zuniga's departure came on the heels of the program parting ways with hitting coach Dave Nakama. Hawai‘i head coach Rich Hill will need a new hitting and pitching coach ahead of a new era for the 'Bows, who are departing the Big West Conference in favor of the Mountain West.
When asked to comment on the program's assistant coach vacancies, Hill indicated to ASD that he would prefer to comment when the positions are filled.
Current UH assistant coach Jordon Twohig is believed to see an increased role in working with the team's hitters. Meanwhile, director of pitching development Connor Harrison is being elevated to associate pitching coach.
Zuniga believes the right replacement for his old gig is already in Mānoa.
"I do think there's a guy in house that can really thrive in this position," Zuniga said. "He knows what coach Hill expects after being a player for him, he's now been in the dugout with coach Hill as a coach. I really think that there's a guy here ready to take that next step. I think the right guy is here. It's Connor Harrison."
Harrison was recently in Arizona and California recruiting for the 'Bows with Twohig on the summer showcase circuit. Harrison, who pitched for the 'Bows from 2021 to 2024, expressed gratitude for his recent promotion. At the same time, he's ready to throw his hat in the ring for the job as the team's main pitching coach.
"I pitched here. I always knew I kind of wanted to coach," Harrison told ASD. "I just love being around the game, and that's kind of how my brain worked as I was trying to see what Coach Hill was doing while I was playing. Playing matchups, playing the strategic side of the game, and that's what's most fun for me — the game within the game, and how important each pitch can be, and how important each run could be potentially.
"It was an honor that (Zuniga) wanted me to come back and help out and be his right-hand man, and his new job is is a testament to what he was able to do on the Islands for those three three years, and I'm hoping I get the opportunity to be the next guy."
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
