Search for tomorrow
One of the few good things about the past weekend’s road trip — coupled with the coming weekend’s bye — is eight assistant coaches were allowed to remain on the mainland to recruit.
Head coach Nick Rolovich also was able to recruit during the Arizona trip. Because of the late kickoff on Saturday, Rolovich did recruiting work on Friday.
The assistants are scheduled to return to Honolulu at various times on Wednesday.
The Warriors’ next practice is scheduled for Thursday.
* * * * *
Like the Michigan game, there appeared to be an opening for third-string quarterback Aaron Zwahlen to get some game experience.
“I thought about it,” Rolovich said. “But Dru was moving the ball.”
Dru Brown led the Warriors on three consecutive scoring drives to open the second half. He lost a fumble on UH’s final drive.
Zwahlen, a second-year freshman who redshirted last year, has not played in a game this season. What’s more, Zwahlen, who was on a two-year church mission before enrolling at UH, has not played in a game since November 2012.
Seems like Zwahlen will most likely transfer considering it seems coach is going to go with Brown. I really would have liked to see how he would do though.
You earn your right to play with solid practice. If you don’t earn a spot it is on you. Don’t think anybody in their right mind would abandon a journey before it even starts.
Nice headline, Tsai, “Search for Tomorrow”.
🙂
As our fearless leader Rolo steers his UH spaceship
into new horizons dodging spy satellites and enemy
alien wolf packs, we head into a new series of star
wars of qbs and dbs…
Lookin for a little taste of FB. Go check out the stuff on Dru Brown-his HUDL highlight is ten minutes long-there are some other interesting things out there regarding his high school history and recruiting. One thing very noticeable is he stays on his feet is very quick in making decisions and everything is crisp. This young man appears to add a dimension that could give defenses fits. GO WARRIORS
I know Rolovich knows more about football than I will ever forget and he is in the best position to make personnel decisions, yada yada yada, but in the case of a QB, I think he would be wrong if he doesn’t start Brown against Nevada.
IW had his years of opportunity and never was able to cut it. Lets see Brown and Zwahlen get reps. Lets set the foundation for the future.
I think a lot of people expects to see Dru Brown as the starter against Nevada. However, Rolo is the coach. You never know! IW’s leash may be longer than anyone expects.
I hope DB starts against Nevada. I think the offense will be significantly better with DB at the helm.
If Stutzman said you can’t go by feelings then unfortunately he needs to hurt some people’s feelings and make the change so we can win. If not Nevada by 28!
I think the key for Dru is that he will probably be given the chance to take the first team reps at practice for the next two weeks which means a bunch more reps than any of the other qb’s. It’s his opportunity to make the most of it and I’m confident he will. Would be surprised if he doesn’t get some guys out there to throw during the next several days off. Now the question is who takes the second most reps? I’m guessing AZ. But Dru brings much to the table. The first time I saw his hudl when he was being recruited made it clear to me if we got him that he was going to lead this team in time. It’s time. Rolo was right and fair to give IW every opportunity to be the guy.
Rolo’s biggest task is to get rid of the losing culture that still surrounds the team. The coaches and players all say they’ll never give up and they’ll work harder to get better and to eliminate mistakes. The same talk from the Von Appen and Chow teams. Teams that didn’t have a strong team identity and flat out didn’t know how to win. Teams that found ways to beat themselves.
Tomey and Wags teams identity was they would never be out hit. They would take the ball away more than they gave it up. They would not beat themselves. The players believed in this and this team belief and attitude made them competitive in most games.
JJ was a messiah. He had everyone from fans, to players, to the administrators buying into the football gospel he was preaching. JJ’s teams had a swagger about them. They thought they could score everytime they had the ball. The players believed this and so did the fans.
Thing was all the successful coaches we’ve had had the players more or less on the same page. The players believed that if they played”their” game they would win. At this point I don’t see a strong belief system where the players expect to win. As Rolo said the players at still stuck on hoping to win. This teams needs an identity…quick.
Did someone say search for tomorrow?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMhRfHti0MA
Good luck Coaches. Hopefully plenny hanapa’a get! Make sure we get lots of huge line guys who can block or tackle!
GO WARRIORS! Rolovich should start Du Brown at quarterback. Aaron Zwalhen as his back up and get another quarterback for the third- string position. But not Woolsey he is done at quarterback!. Woolsey should tryout on the defensive side of the ball!. A lots of former and some other players had played at quarterback! But a lot’s of them change over to Safely!
I do know that from coaching there are players that perform better in games .then in practice and there are those who perform better in practice because coaches control the hits in practice. and i do see that dru is a gamer just my feeling.
7. Craig is not making that call. It’s Brian and Nick’s call.
It’s going to be a long week without FB-on another note the Wolfpack head to West Lafayette this Saturday to take on a struggling Purdue team-after that back on the road to visit you know who. Back to back away games. I sure hope promos are juiced up and a great crowd on hand. Pretty sure change is inevitable. Looking to drum up some excitement over the next week of so and I think we will see some noticeable changes in schemes on both sides along with some personnel changes. One thing for sure if you look at others schedules we had no sure things like most if not all the others. Time will tell but UT Martin will compete for a national rank and conference honors when it is all over-Go Warriors!!!!!
No more leashes for a 5th year senior…if you don’t get it now, you’ll never get it. Demote IW to scout team. Move up DB and AZ, as #1 and #2. The future is NOW.
I could take watching the first half…it was so BAD !!! With DB, we have re-newed hope that we can win.
A leader is suppose to inspire the team. IW doesn’t do that. Give DB the reins now and don’t look back !!!
Search for tomorrow:
Alabama starting QB Jalen Hurts is a freshman, and doing very well. That means Tua Tagovailoa might be getting splinters on the bench for 3 more years which by that time he might be a Junior, if he redshirts or a senior if he plays some right away. I wonder if he’s prepared to sit for that long.
On the other hand, Tua, you have a wonderful opportunity to play right away at possibly the University of Hawaii and make a name for yourself and the entire Hawaii community and we are all behind you. Think about it! It not official until you sign the letter of intent in early February. You can always change your mind.
Just saying! God knows Hawaii needs help and you can definitely help, Tua Tagovailoa! You can always go to church every Sunday right here in beautiful
Hawaii Nei and Coach Rolo will join you too.
The offense will score enough points to win if Dru can play a full game against Nevada like he did against the Wildcats.
But the defense??? I am not down on the defense….yet. We are all counting on coach Lempa and his staff to review the game tapes to make adjustments and changes to preserve a win.
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
not a football expert but stats might be revealing…if you have enough data. Game production could help with a decision.
Alabama-USC, coach was not afraid to use a freshman qb. qb did a fine job. sometimes throwing a change up will mess a hitter up in baseball.
two qb’s in a game? would that cause some confusion? both can run or pass.
anyhoo, the coaches are the ones who can make the call.
one thig for sure, they will need to make a call by the next game.
O or D schemes are what they are. players need to execute.
I’d like to see less confusion and missed assignments & tackling on D.
IMUA WARRIORS!
Tua and his family are all about the name brand of the program. UH is not in consideration at all. As mened Bama has a frosh QB and it’s been rumored that USC is still recruiting him hard. USC’s starting QB is a Jr and there are 4 QB’s behind him that are all freshman or RS freshman. He’ll have stiff competition at any big time school he attends.
#16, in Alabama’s season opener, they actually started a redshirt freshman in the game ahead of Hurts. The redshirt freshman was quite efficient, think he was something like 8/11, but no TDs. After I believe 2 series, Hurts came in and was really good. He was just a lot more athletic and dynamic than the other “older” freshman QB. Maybe this guy will transfer out? Who knows, it so far this season Tui is not going to unseat him if his play continues at its pace and especially if he improves each game and each season.
Rolo was right when he said Nevada game is a new beginning for the Warriors. This weeks bye is great for the coaches, team and fans. Last chance to right the ship before 9 weeks of games.
Rolo wanted his most seasoned QB on the field during this stretch. All eyes will be on him if he reboots and gives another QB a chance to start. However, mediocre QB play is only one problem. Lots more needs to be fixed soon. Can’t reach speed on defense so there’s no quick fix there. Maybe a change in defensive scheme is in order.
I think Rolo gave IW every chance to take the lead and starting spot he just hasn’t produced like he needed to,as we head into our new season(Conf Play) I think we will see Dru Brown as the starter he showed ability to sit in the pocket and not take off unless needed he looked through his progressions and made sound decisions…
I agree with most of you. DB has earned the right to start the next game. He has shown the ability to run this offense in an efficient way. He has confidence in his decision making and seems way more comfortable than IW. IW has continued to prove to all of us over his career that he will be no better than a 50% passer. I know he’s working hard to be successful, but we just need better…the team deserves better.
Coach Rolo, you stated that you want your team to “expect” to win instead of “hope” to win…DB is the second step towards that. The first step is making that change.
We’ll be at the next game.
GO WARRIORS!
Good Morning Tsaikos!
Hoping for the Warriors to improve in the next two weeks! I think Hawaii is hungry just like our Warriors are—to beat Nevada! Go Bows!
I seriously doubt that Tua believes he can’t beat out the frosh QB at Alabama. And as a passer I believe Tua is at another level. But aside from that isn’t his family already scheduled to make the move to join Tua in Tuscaloosa? But pretty sure Tua can’t wait to compete at Bama no matter who the returning starter will be. The real question is what happens if he sits for a couple of years. A lot of local boys are contributing at big schools but even more are not. I always believe you need to find a place to play. Those years of being young and athletic go by in a flash. Get your degrees fellas. Make the most of the opportunities available.
#15 you aren’t on the team so you wouldn’t know who does or doesn’t inspire the team.
I don’t know what you’re watching #26, but it’s not Hawaii games.
Without a doubt I can say that UH will not lose this weekend. I want to say that every week. Maybe can, we’ll see. Go Warriors !
#stayloyaltothesoil
#priderock
#livealohaplaywarrior
As it has been previously mentioned, Chris Naeole is doing a solid job with the oline and their play shows. I think when you reflect on our previous coaches, their pedigree and its progeny was very evident. For instance, JJ had a long list of very successful list QBs and WRs. Tomey and Wags teams were known as defensive and hard hitting and the list of the players that followed to the NFL, was both long and impressive.
Now, I think a couple of things are at play. One, like my momona Aunty at a Las Vegas seafood buffet, coaches, nationally , have double dipped into out deep HS football reserves. Kids are indentitified early on, and very few kids go under the radar. Coaches know if they get a kid from Hawai’i, they just worry about two things: get his grades/scores in order and two monitor homesickness. If they handle those two issues, they are going to get hard nosed kids who love football.
On a somewhat related note, the one other person I had hoped that Coach Rolo would have kept, is Ola Gouviea. I can’t help but think he would have really assisted our LB play and tackling……
The team needs a spark to play up to their capabilities and over their heads when need be. Rolo should make a change at QB as soon as possible rather than to wait to reevaluate that position after the the team resumes practice on Thursday. I know Ikaika doesn’t play defense and has no direct involvement in how the defense plays. But it is my opinion that how a QB plays can affect how the defense plays. Brown led three 10 plus play scoring drives in the 2nd half that gave the defense time to catch it’s breathe. I think a defense will play with more emotional fire when they see their offense moving the ball and scoring. They’ll dig their heels in deeper to keep the opposition from getting into the end zone. At this time the defense is not playing inspired ball.
Maybe Brown can provide the spark the team needs to get out of their Cleveland-like mentality/culture. Maybe he can’t. At this point he should give Brown the chance to lead the team. The more time Brown has to establish himself as a team leader and to win over the locker room is critical. Whatever Rolo does I hope he doesn’t wait till next week to make up his mind.
UH on their hiring of head football coaches.
Since 1968, out of the 9 head coaches hired at UH, only 3 had prior head coaching experience either on the college level or the NFL. Those 3 were Dave Holmes, Greg McMackin and June Jones. All ended up having winning percentages as head coach at the University of Hawaii.
Those who did not have head coaching experience at these levels were, Larry Price, Fred Von Appen and Norm Chow, all 3 who had losing records at UH.
Those who won without head coaching experience were Dick Tomey and Bob Wagner. (2) The third Nick Rolovich is yet to have his legacy embedded into the records at UH. I am hoping Nick falls into this category and is successful for many years to come.
Or, maybe Rolo has made up his mind already. The team will know when they practice. But, why let Nevada know this early in a bye week. Let them think it is Woolsey that will be starting on Oct 1st.
If I was the Bama Qb I’d transfer out.Its no competition.
Tua would start now for Bama.
I could be wrong but I’ve seen him in a few games last two yrs
and he makes NFL throws.
He better than Rams #1 pick
Coach Rolo if fans see the same they will only shake their heads and walk away. Once you lose them you will have to do one better than coach June Jones to bring them back. Your fans not just the team have been through some brutal seasons. Don’t know how much more they will be able to take.
Afternoon Tsaikos!
ST on Sports Animals. Don’t count out Cole McDonald.
Also, Freddie Holly might join the RB rotation.
#27 like I said you aren’t on the team so you don’t know jack.
I don’t watch what players do in the locker room, at practices, team meetings, plane rides, study halls, or anything else these players do aside from games. There are 164 hours in the week to inspire your teammates besides during the game. So you don’t know jack.
#35,
JMHO that Holly will be joining the RB this season…….since RB probably the only position that’s been solid and has quality depth (with Lakalaka, St. Juste, Harris). Tuiasoa would likely be the 4th back in the RB rotation this season.
Since Lakalaka & Harris seniors, Holly would definitely be in RB rotation next season.
Why has IW been allowed to be the starting QB throughout so many coaches and so many L games?
Who or what stands to gain if #11 remains starting QB?
Who?
What?
Why?
???????????
Any news why kahuku lost
to Bishop
IMHO, the greatest need to burn redshirt years are in defensive players. Our Receivers are fine but the QB has to get the ball to them. Once our passing game gets some success, our current crop of running backs will do just fine.
What? doesn’t know what?
Teams have found success with a quarterback who can run as well as pass. A quarterback who can really run will take some of the load off of our running-backs.
The Na Koa lunch report is now up:
http://www.nakoa.org/2016/09/19/coachs-lunch-report-091916/
” At quarterback, Ikaika Woolsey is the most verbal, while Dru Brown is more an introvert and leads with his no nonsense ways on the field. Aaron Zwahlen also has good leadership qualities.
Rolovich said he put a hold on Quarterbacks. He had two running back recruits in mind, but that was with the expected graduation of Mel Davis who is now not expected to return this year and has a redshirt year available. He still wants receivers and will go after two freshmen and one JC offensive lineman. Defensive line will receive much attention; he wants four to five defensive backs and SPEED; and two to three linebackers. Hawai’i should have a full scholarship class of 25.
Rolovich said two young men could return on defense next year if lessons were learned and best of all, they would not count in the scholarship numbers. ”
” Total offense 380.3 YPG 88
Scoring defense 49.3 PPG 128 ”
http://www.nakoa.org/2016/09/19/coachs-lunch-report-091916/
By all honesty all I really cared about this year was in conference play.. I know we had a strong(well for Hawaii that is) OOC schedule. Just play good in conference and get Wins. We should be ok.. Worry about in conference games this year.
I’ve never seen him play but I want to see him as qb. Maybe the 15 gives me back memories…
it’s the opinion of a family member that both the offense and defense lack player leadership – anyone seen a player moving about the bench talking to and encouraging team mates?
I haven’t – have you??? if you have, names??
they may not be the best or top caliber players, but several “youngsters” are getting quality playing time and hope this transcends to becoming a more productive player in the next 2 or 3 years.
I do hope the Aussie OL, the 6′ 7″ 300 lb, from Melbourne makes his commitment final by enrolling at UH in Jan 2017 – it would be a gigantic step in building the future — if he does well, this may encourage his friend, the 16 or 17 year old 6′ 10″ 295 #s, to also commit to UH; not Michigan — and, do agree with many posters that Naole has finally got the OL playing well — kudos to him!!!
#44 – Rolo is NOT recruiting DTs??? does he have a stable of DTs ready for next year? perhaps, I did not pay attention to the 2o16 recruiting class — filled with “trench war fare” types?
awfully thin in 2016
part of our Alaska fishing group this year was an 89 year old man who reached 90 a week after we returned – spry – attentive – strength to pull in halibuts – wish I will be so lucky like him!!!
I can’t tell you how good it will be to have Gifford and Meffy back. I hope the best for Eldridge. I thought that he was one of the pluses. If coach asked just about any fan when he got here he would have been told to go after Dlinemen and fast DBs. Could use a linebacker with quick instincts too like Gener. I remember how Mack went with speed when he got here sometimes taking DBs and making them linebackers. Its a wide open game. We need speed.
Do you want a quarterback that talks the talk or one that walks the walk?
A Tsai-ko arrived late (2nd quarter) for the UH-Arizona game and asked me if we were tackling better?
I shrugged, “I’m not sure…we have to catch up to those guys first”.
Yeah, I was a disappointed by the tackling this year as everyone else.
But… I stop and consider that we are playing against Pac-12 and Big 10 teams (and Tenn, Martin was no pushover) whose skill position players do not play because they are slow and fall down easily.
So my conclusion at this point is that our defense is not in the league of an Pac-12 offense… not yet, anyway.
I hope our defense is in the same league as a MWC offense.
Hawaii has had proud defenses that could play with anybody…going to have to be a patient…but we have seen this suddenly happen almost overnight. Maybe a bye week will be enough. 😕
St. Juste seems to run better when Dru is QB. Dru seems to throw the ball and not double clutch, hold the ball too long or overthinks a pass like #11.
Sometimes, when you’re losing, you’re just snake-bit. Case in point: RJ Hollis loses his helmet and has to come out for one play. Leo K moves from RG to RT, and Woolsey scrambles and hits Collie for a TD that would have made the score 20-14 in the second quarter.
But the TD is wiped out by Leo K’s holding penalty in his ONLY play at RT in the game. Later, Leo K had to move to LT (Allen injured), where I thought he played well. So, in one game, Leo K played three different OL positions. And since he’s also played center, that’s four positions in four games. Props to him.
#27. Not making a QB change public until the last minute is in the coaching handbook under gamesmanship. Belichick, Harbaugh and Chow follow this coaching tenet religiously. But in this situation I think it’s better for the fans and the players to know as soon as possible. The fans need hope and the players need inspiration. It’s a gamble Rolo should be willing to take.
The gamble is the players will rally behind someone who has shown game time play making ability. The gamble is the players will be more focused in practice and rally behind a change in leadership. Brown needs as much time as the coaches can give him building rapport with his blockers, runners and receivers. He must have time to win over the whole locker room. Much like how Colt, Timmy and Rolo inspired not only their side of the ball that they would score but also inspired their defenses to also believe if they got the ball back the offense would score.
The fans need hope that this team can turn things around. A QB change will create the biggest buzz among the fan base. Give them something to change the the negative conversation that currently surrounds QB performance. The losses are not on Ikaika, the coaches and players know this. It’s the public that needs convincing.
Ummmm why would he put Zwahlen in the game? Dru Brown was playing very well
Saying a quarterback “gives us the best chance to win” is like saying we lost already.
Mililani grad McKenzie Milton was headed to UH and last minute changed his mind and signed with UCF. Look at him now, he will start his 2 game in a row this week as a true freshman. I wonder if he knew he was gonna get playing time at UH.
#56..You do know that he fumbled like 5 times in that game.
I’m sure the fact that Frost who recruited him from Oregon went to UCF and he was probably shown he had a much better chance of getting to play there a lot faster than at Oregon or UH considering the amount of QBs we have here and I’m sure the same situation at Oregon. Not to mention UCF was 0-12 last year, so they’re not exactly married to any QBs there either
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=39333