Hawaii Football Forum

Defensive Line Spring Projection
 
The major development in the off-season was the return of former UH Defensive Line and longtime CFL coach Jeff Reinebold to the Hawaii coaching staff. Reinebold’s vast coaching experience and knowledge should provide a boost to Hawaii’s defensive line play this season. Last season Hawaii recorded 23 quarterback sacks (147 yards) and 68 tackles for losses (262 yards).
 
More consistency play, production, and disruption of opposing offenses is the goal in 2024 from the Rainbow Warrior defensive line. Hawaii lost starting defensive linemen in Andrew Choi and John Tuitupou to graduation.
 
Hawaii does return 6’3 290 pound junior Kuao Peihopa (22 tackles, 12 solos, 1.5 TFL, 3 QB hurries) in the interior.  Senior end Elijah Robinson (6’4 255 lbs.) made his name known in the road win over Nevada with his two quarterback sacks. The transfer from East Carolina finished the season with 25 tackles (18 solos), 3 TFL, and 3 quarterback sacks. Look for from Robinson to make his presence known again in 2024. Senior defensive tackle
 
Ezra Evaimalo (6’2 255 lbs.) also returns, credited with 23 tackles (14 solos), 5.5 TFL, 3.5 QB sacks in 2023. Though not your prototype defensive tackle, Evaimalo was one of those players often around the ball. Junior end Tariq Jones (6’2 245 lbs.) was credited with 17 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and 2 QB sacks last season. JUCO transfer Daniel “Sauce” Williams (5’11 330 lbs.) had his moments in 2023 at defensive tackle with 14 tackles, 1 forced fumble. He showed his athletic ability by recovering and returning that fumble for 41 yards against New Mexico State. Williams will benefit from a complete offseason of conditioning under Strength Coach Kody Cooke.
 
Other defensive linemen to watch for are junior end Wynden Hoohuli (5 tackles), sophomore Dean Briski (3 tackles), Cal transfer Patrick Hisatake (6’5 240 lbs.), redshirt freshman Aiden McComber, and Nevada transfer Dion Washington (6’3 285 lbs.).
 

Commentary

When you drive by rusting Aloha Stadium a lot of emotions and memories come to mind regarding University of Hawaii Football.

The closing of Aloha Stadium was a slow and painful death due to inaction by State Legislators driven by personal interests and vendetta. The University of Hawaii was the biggest loser being the main tenant at Aloha Stadium since 1975. This is a prime example of the State of Hawaii building something and not maintaining it.

The chain of events and inaction by the State resulting in the closing of Aloha Stadium are well documented. The University of Hawaii was suddenly thrown out onto the street in 2020 by the State Government with the closure of Aloha Stadium. UH had to scramble to renovate T.C. Ching Field to accommodate home games for the 2021 season. However, even this was criticized by State Legislators, upset about the money spent to renovate T.C. Ching Field.

T.C. Ching is a temporary stop-gap measure for University of Hawaii Football until the new Aloha Stadium is built in 2028 (add 4-5 years). The current capacity of 15.000 seats at the T.C. Ching Athletic Complex has restricted the ability to attract FBS opponents due to the limited revenue that could be generated. There a shortage of permanent restrooms, concessions, along with no locker room facilities for visiting teams (Murakami Stadium). More needs to be done to improve T.C. Ching Field. However, there is potential.

There is some glimmer of hope with Hawaii Athletic Director Craig Angelos who as the former AD at Florida Atlantic University, planned and oversaw the building of an 30,000 seat on-campus football stadium. Angelos, has spent his first year on the job becoming acclimated to how things are done in Hawaii, which is smart. He has followed the State’s party-line to build a new Aloha Stadium. In spite of this, Angelos has stated “I’m torn because I love on-campus facilities” (KHON 2023).

The question is does the University of Hawaii want to become a tenant again of the Stadium Authority?

Coaching Tidbits

New Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan, who was a GA at the University of Hawaii in 1998, has quietly built an experienced coaching staff with a Hawaii flavor.

Former Hawaii players Dino Babers (offensive coordinator) and Joe Seumalo (defensive line), along with former UH assistant Duane Akina (defensive coordinator) provide years of FBS college coaching experience and knowledge. Arizona may surprise many in the Big 12 this season.

Hawaii Offensive Line; A Major Concern (Again)

With the unexpected departure of Hawaii offensive line coach Roman Sapolu to the Miami Dolphins, a position that showed improvement in the later part of 2023 after major struggles, is once again faced with uncertainty.

The coaching change comes at a crucial time into the third season of the Timmy Chang era. It is never a good thing when a coach leaves in the middle of spring ball, and Sapolu’s departure leaves much uncertainty and questions with the offensive line.

Given the complexity of Hawaii’s offense, it will not be easy to find the right offensive line coach to fill Sapolu’s position. Much of the offseason hiring of assistant coaches at the college level is now completed as teams gear up for spring practice. Coach Chang needs to dig deep into his rolodex to find a suitable replacement.

hawaiifootballforum Rainbow Warriors Complete Spring Practice. It was a productive 15 practices for the University of Hawaii football team. While there was no spring game or festivities like last season, emphasis was placed on implementing the Run-N-Shoot offense, defensive improvement, and player development in 2023.

Read more at: uhwarriorfootball.com

Hawaii Football Forum

Enough Already!! Time for the University of Hawaii to take control of their own destiny and build a permanent on-campus stadium. While local politicians wrangle and try to line their pockets with their beloved NASED, the football program suffers especially with recruiting. Once again, it is the players who suffer.

An Intact Rainbow Warrior Coaching Staff is a Plus in 2023.

Retaining assistant coaches at the University of Hawaii has always been a challenge due to the salary scale and high cost of living in Hawaii.

Head football coach Timmy Chang has managed to retain his entire assistant coaching staff which is a positive in terms of teaching, stability, and continuity in 2023.

Read more at: uhwarriorfootball.com

Former Hawaii Head Football Coach Greg McMackin Passes Away at Age 77

Underrated and underappreciated by some, Coach McMackin played a major role in the development of the University of Hawaii football program. Along with his accomplishments as UH defensive coordinator in 1999 and 2007, many overlook the 2010 WAC Championship team (10-5) under McMackin which played a major role in the University of Hawaii being invited to the Mountain West Conference as a football member.

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The University of Hawaii Football team opens spring practice today with a focus on player development that will carryover into the offseason.

Continued development of Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager will be a focus to the team's success. The two year letterman from Dallas, Texas should not disappoint with what he learned in 2022. Back up Joey Yellen (Pitt transfer) will also be looked upon at the QB position.

Development of a Hawaii offensive line that lost starters and All Mountain West Conference players in Ilm Manning (1st team pick) and Micah Vanterpool (2nd team pick), along with starting guard Stephen Bernal-Wendt will be another area to watch this spring.

Defensive line is another area of concern that the Hawaii coaches focuses on during the recruiting season. The coaches signed four 4- year transfers led by Washington sophomore transfer Kuao Peihopa who has a chance to be an impact player on the defensive line.

Unknown to many, the University of Hawaii Football Program had a role in the development of the college strength and conditioning coach in the mid 1970s when then head coach Larry Price hired renown weightlifter, author, and trainer Bill Starr.

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Hawaii Football Forum
National Letter of Intent Day: February 1st.

The University of Hawaii coaches continue to hit the recruiting trail hard and expect several more players to be signed by NLI Day in a few weeks.

One position that will need to be improved is at receiver slot with the graduation of seniors Zion Bowens (494 yards, 4 touchdowns) and tight end Caleb Phillips (317 yards, 3 touchdowns). Philips earned First-Team All MWC post season honors in 2022.

Promising returnees such as sophomore Jalen Walthall (333 yards, 1 touchdown) and senior Jonah Panoke (312 yards, 1 touchdown), and junior Tamatoa Mokiau-Atimalala (146 yards, 2 touchdowns) will be looked upon to pick up the load at the receiver slot.

One intriguing and talented returnee injured most of 2022 is tight end Steven Fiso. Kansas transfer Steven McBride will be watched carefully when he arrives at Manoa.