Riggins: “Needed” to be closer to family

Running back D.J. Riggins said “family issues” factored largely in his decision to transfer from UH to Pierce College in Los Angeles.

“I loved it out there (in Hawaii),” said Riggins, who requested — and received — a release from his scholarship after spring training. “I loved everything. But as I told coach Chow, there’s a lot going on between, like, family issues. The main reason is being a lot closer. It’s really expensive to see them. It was best for me and my family.”

Riggins said Pierce is located a short drive from his family’s home.

Riggins insisted he was not unhappy at UH.

“I felt my role was great, especially coming in as a freshman,” Riggins said. “I was getting a lot of reps. I couldn’t have been happier where I was. But, like I said, there were some family issues. This was a decision me, my dad and my mom made.”


Riggins signed with UH in February 2014, but delayed enrolling at UH for a semester to fully recover from a shoulder injury. During the fall semester, he gained 25 pounds and reported to the Warriors at 195 in January.


Because he was an NCAA qualifier and his clock didn’t start until January, Riggins has nine semesters to play four seasons. After a semester at Pierce, he could transfer and have four years to play four seasons.

“I’m confident in my abilities I’ll get something a lot closer to home,” Riggins said.

COMMENTS

  1. John May 21, 2015 9:21 am

    Good Morning!


  2. jimmy the lock May 21, 2015 9:21 am

    Family comes first.


  3. Stephen Tsai May 21, 2015 9:31 am

    Maybe it was growing up a Jets fan (John Riggins) or watching “Friday Night Lights” TV series (Tim Riggins), but I always like the idea of a running back named Riggins.


  4. Tiki808 May 21, 2015 9:54 am

    I’m sure it’s much more accessible to NFL or somethings in Los Angeles.


  5. rage777 May 21, 2015 9:56 am

    Maybe it’s because I’m NOT a Jets fan that I remember the John Riggins on the Washington Redskins team. 😛


  6. rage777 May 21, 2015 9:57 am

    I just watched the NFL’s top 10 power backs show and I think John Riggins was number 2.


  7. Mrs. SB May 21, 2015 9:59 am

    From yesterday’s blog:
    Tiki808 #26
    Marcus Luttrell does have a great story to tell. But he did not attend the United States Naval Academy nor did he play for the Navy Midshipmen. He attended Sam Houston State University.


  8. Stephen Tsai May 21, 2015 10:00 am

    Rage777:
    Yep, Riggins was most noted for his great ride with the Redskins. Unfortunately, the Jets had him and let him get away. Yes, they were that stupid back then, too. But enough about Ken O’Brien over Dan Marino.


  9. Tiki808 May 21, 2015 10:06 am

    I guess we will be hearing RJ Riggins from Los Angeles. It looks like it’s that way. GOOD LUCK RIGGINS. We will surely miss you. Hopefully we will see you in the NFL someday. Yes, Hawai’i too.


  10. Shoko May 21, 2015 10:46 am

    Well, family is a good enough reason to transfer. No need sit out a year to play and could possibly get picked up by a bigger school.


  11. hitman May 21, 2015 10:53 am

    morning everyone!! sorry about riggins hope him da best and his ohana too.
    ST how open spot yet for coach chows team?


  12. hitman May 21, 2015 10:54 am

    sorry ST how much open spots on coach chows team?


  13. jimmy the lock May 21, 2015 11:05 am

    Tiki808,

    For a graduate in the field of computers you are either a super genius or have a few lines of code missing.

    Three day weekend coming up. Thanks to those who served or serve to protect our country. Salute.


  14. Tiki808 May 21, 2015 11:09 am

    As you can see from the picture, I am familiar with Los Angeles. I’m from the Long Beach area. Located off the hills overlooking 7 miles of sand and bikinis strings. It is the most beautiful stretch of sands I have ever seen. I visit there a lot. Too much things to do there. At nights, we visit the piers. It is worth the walk and effort. The carnival is almost spectacular. I can see why Los Angeles.


  15. Maddog50 May 21, 2015 11:22 am

    Boola-not familiar with the name but had my share of demanding coaches. Played for Cal Murphy for two years he’s CFL great and HOF. Part father mentor teacher on Dave Holmes staff. Dick Zorne one spring oh boy and howdy!! He is a legend at Eastern Washington. Bottom line I loved driven taskmasters as long as I learned the game


  16. jeezy33 May 21, 2015 11:45 am

    Keep the Blue Chip recruits coming NORM!!!


  17. jonj May 21, 2015 12:34 pm

    So how many is that now that’s transfered under chow?? Has to be a record both in student athletes and coaches.


  18. jonj May 21, 2015 12:37 pm

    It’s funny I was one of the Mack backers and told everyone here that if we got chow everything would go further downhill.


  19. H-man May 21, 2015 1:14 pm

    Last three years under Chow has been an excruciating experience in patience and frustration, but I am hoping he turns things around this season. You could see flashes of what the team can do. And with Wittek and an improved and experienced Woolsey, its reason to remain optimistic. Just too bad about DJ Riggins, but he has to do what’s best for himself and his family. Looking for Lakalaka, St Juste and Tuiasoa to provide a running threat in the new offensive scheme under OC Bailey.


  20. jacklegpreacher May 21, 2015 2:12 pm

    ST I wondered if the Riggins character from FNL was loosely based on John Riggins with the hard drinking, hard running, hard living persona. Loved that show though. Long live John Carter…


  21. Da Punchbowl Kid May 21, 2015 3:19 pm

    Good luck to Riggins! Family first.


  22. 3-Prong May 21, 2015 4:35 pm

    Reduce Tuition Increases? Why not increase out of state and decrease in state tuition. Take care of the Hawaii kids. Other states do the same. Don’t the Regents know our athletic department needs money?

    UH reduces tuition increases: http://www.kitv.com/news/uh-reduces-tuition-increases/33158574?absolute=true


  23. kapakahi May 21, 2015 6:05 pm

    #14,

    Sounds like you lived in the high rent district…..in Belmont Shore……nothing like how it is near downtown Long Beach……where I lived…….west of Cherry Avenue…..above 7th Street.


  24. kamai Okole May 21, 2015 6:25 pm

    Great Evening All!

    Best wishes to Mr. Riggins


  25. Akamai Okole May 21, 2015 6:26 pm

    😳

    Try again.

    Great Evening All!

    Best wishes to Mr. Riggins


  26. Akamai Okole May 21, 2015 6:34 pm

    Remindah

    Cattle Call

    Friday at Noon
    Maple Garden Restaurant (on Isenberg St)

    Coming so far:
    Blog Host (pending breaking news)
    Akamai Okole
    DPK
    sj-macro
    myki
    lawaia

    Still get room and it’s a buffet so get plenny fuud!


  27. Akamai Okole May 21, 2015 6:35 pm

    Dang it!

    Forgot (Jesse) James, too.


  28. jm2375 May 21, 2015 8:00 pm

    AkamaiOkole -mooooo! I coming, after all.

    Best wishes to DJ Riggins.

    Riggo was one of my favorite players from that Redskin Super Bowl team. Go Hogs! HTTR!


  29. SteveM May 21, 2015 8:02 pm

    Akamai Okole — Sorry, I’m not a Cattle Call “game decision” anymore, after being sent back to the injured reserve after greedily trying to lift 40 lbs. of charcoal with visions of tailgates and BBQ’s. 🙁 Did you notice the sale of two 20-lb bags of charcoal briquettes for $10? Well, the two bags are shrink wrapped together…


  30. Akamai Okole May 21, 2015 8:11 pm

    jmxxxx, Sounds guud!

    SteveM, Yikes! 🙁


  31. amela May 21, 2015 8:26 pm

    Wish the local kids thought the same way too about staying home.


  32. tom May 22, 2015 6:36 am

    GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!

    Being macho should be abandoned after a certain age – or if yur back ain’t what it used to be. Sorry to hear about y our injury SteveM. Get well soon.


  33. tom May 22, 2015 6:38 am

    AO/D1 – I’m on the black list? I’ll be there.


  34. 3-Prong May 22, 2015 7:34 am

    Hey Mr. Okole,
    Gotta make reservation o-wat today? Thinking of showing face… Still get room?


  35. Akamai Okole May 22, 2015 7:54 am

    tom,

    You are on the VIP List. Sorry…I new at dis. :mrgreen:

    3-Prong,

    Can. Come.


  36. (Jesse)James May 22, 2015 10:10 am

    Good morning gang….had to take care of some stuff this morning. See you all at lunch…Getting there nearer to 11:30 so maybe I’ll scout the territory…LMAO


  37. Stephen Tsai May 22, 2015 10:14 am

    New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=31151


Comments are closed.