Balding steps aside after perfect season

He may be well acquainted with Punahou and state volleyball championships, but at heart, Peter Balding is a man of peace.

That's why, after a 21-0 season as the Buffanblu boys coach, Balding stepped down yesterday. Former Buffanblu and UH standout Rick Tune, 32, will take the mantle after four years as an assistant to Balding.

"I feel good. The future of the program is real good because he's got a plan, and I didn't have that plan, and that's what the program needed," Balding, 47, said of the transition.

Tune was, so to speak, in tune with Balding as the announcement was made. Both are teachers on campus, and they relish every chance to brainstorm about volleyball.

"Certainly, Peter brought a great attention to detail to the program, but one of the things that kept us on the same page was we're both like that. We both bounce ideas off each other and try to go over every detail. That's the collaborative part of coaching, to have someone you trust and want to work with," Tune said.

Tune noted his role models, Chris McLachlin and Balding. He also cited a valuable season coaching under Marv Dunphy at Pepperdine. During that time, Tune started to engross himself in the technical side of the game. "He's a tremendous teacher of the sport," Tune said.

Balding began his Punahou coaching career as an assistant under McLachlin in 1983 before taking the helm and guiding the Buffanblu to state crowns in 1989 and '90.

After a hiatus, Balding returned and led Punahou to state titles last year and, of course, this season.

In all, the Buffanblu have won 27 titles in boys volleyball since the state tournament began in 1969. This year, they opened the season at No. 1 in the Star-Bulletin Boys Volleyball Top 10 and never relinquished their top ranking.

Balding, McLachlin, current girls coach Jim Iams and Scott Rigg are the only coaches that have led Punahou's boys to all those state championships. Tune fits into the succession perfectly, Balding said.

"As a day-to-day teacher, he's got a way about him that's very clear and it's easy to understand. He speaks to the kids in a way that's competitive and at their level. He's great," Balding said.

The transition, Balding noted, began with a discussion in late October.

"I know where this program needs to go in the next five years, and I don't have the energy to do that. This (change) needs to be done in the next year. That was kind of the impetus of it. For the sake of the program, I gotta step down and let someone else who's got the energy to do it take charge," he said.

Balding has large expectations of the new general. "I think that the thing I can count on in him is the most important. He's always gonna be there, and when he's there, his planning and foresight of what needs to be done not only now, but months and years from now, is really extraordinary. He's really organized," Balding said.

The state's dominant boys volleyball program requires a certain mode of coach, like Balding, and now, Tune.

"Punahou volleyball in general has always been that way. We always strive to be the best and find the one thing, the one stone that has been left unturned, trying to get a competitive advantage, and Peter's a great representative of that," Tune said.

He's already thinking about next season. "We start thinking about it the day after the state tournament ends," Tune said. "I feel great. I feel really in awe of being next in line. It certainly comes with a great pedigree and I feel fortunate to work with some great kids and great families."