Panita Thanatharn has been selected as the fourth head coach of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa softball program, acting athletics director Lois Manin announced.
Thanatharn replaces Bob Coolen, who coached the Rainbow Wahine for 34 seasons and retired following the 2025 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Panita to our athletics ʻohana,” Manin said. “She has a deep passion for the game and the competitive spirit to build a winning culture. We are confident that her integrity-based leadership and unmatched work ethic will inspire our student-athletes to grow on and off the field. She brings excitement to the future of our softball program.”
“I am so pumped and honored to be the head softball coach at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa,” Thanatharn said. “I’m grateful for the trust and confidence, and I’m looking forward to the journey ahead! I can’t wait to meet the team and learn about them and their families. Academically, Hawaiʻi is one of the top universities in the world, and paired with its breathtaking beauty, I’m confident we’ll attract outstanding student-athletes who are just exceptional off the field as they are on it. I’m ready to get to work and start building relationships and am committed to winning in the classroom, in the community, and on the field. Let’s go ‘Bows!”
Thanatharn spent 16 seasons in two stints at Long Beach State, where she has served as associate head coach since 2016. She began her coaching career with the Beach in 2008 as director of operations/assistant coach before joining UNLV’s coaching staff as assistant coach. She returned to Long Beach State in 2011 and has served as the primary recruiter and hitting coach as well as handling all administrative duties and the conditioning program.
In 18 seasons as an assistant coach, Thanatharn has been a part of nine NCAA Regional teams—eight with Long Beach State and one with UNLV—and five Big West championship teams.
A four-year letterwinner for the Beach, Thanatharn earned the school’s Todd Hart Courage Award in 2003 and was honorable mention all-Big West in 2007. She still holds the school record for most hits in a game. Following her senior season, she was one of 20 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award, presented annually to a senior softball player who excels both on and off the field.
Thanatharn double-majored at Long Beach State in exercise science and sport psychology and coaching in 2006 and earned a master’s in kinesiology with an option in sports management from Long Beach State in 2008.
For more on Thanatharn, visit the UH Mānoa athletics website.
