Solving UH’s helmet dilemma
Question: Why do the Warriors have only one home uniform? How much does it cost for one uniform?
Answer: “Would I love to have a home uniform and an away uniform and a couple options and a couple helmets?” coach Nick Rolovich said. “I’d love to.”
But each uniform costs about $350. Painted helmets run about $400 apiece. Take those numbers, multiple them by 120 or so and …
“There probably are other needs that can be taken care of than extra uniforms at this point,” Rolovich said.
Another sartorial challenge is that in recent years, each set of new uniforms came in a unique style. That made it difficult to mix and match wardrobes.
“Part of our issue is not being consistent with our uniform,” Rolovich said. “That’s kind of affected our ability to build our uniform collection.”
Rolovich said that issue will be resolved during the offseason.
Rolovich said he also has started a fund, through Na Koa booster club, to pay for new helmets.
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Q: Regarding delay-of-game penalties, can’t the coaches call timeout from the sideline before they happen?
A: Yes, they can. But while setting up for a field goal on the Rainbow Warriors’ final drive against Boise State, according to Rolovich, “I don’t think they deserved a timeout. If we don’t have the field-goal team ready, we should bring more attention to it. I could have called timeout. But I said: ‘Screw it, we’ve got Rigo (Sanchez as the kicker).’ I don’t think 5 yards was going to make a difference in that case.” It did not. Sanchez converted from 35 yards.
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Q: Is the Australian lineman still committed to UH?
A: Eneasi “Ernie” Kavapalu, who is 6 feet 7 and 310 pounds, remains a solid commitment for the Warriors.
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Q: Would UH consider bringing back the routine of announcing the starting defensive players during pregame introductions?
A: It was considered for this year, but it was decided to go with the entrance currently used.
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Q: Why do the receivers run routes short of the first-down marker on third- and fourth-down plays?
A: Rolovich said the routes are “built the way they are” and cannot be changed “depending on down and distance.”
Rolovich added a certain amount of post-catch running is factored into each play. “You don’t have to throw the ball over the first-down marker, you need to get the ball over the first-down marker,”Rolovich said.
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Q: Why doesn’t UH use a two-back offense?
A: The Warriors actually are often in a two-back set with a running back and fullback. Rolovich said the staff has “talked about” pairing two running backs in the backfield.
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Q: Any chance UH will go with the run-and-shoot offense in the near future?
A: “Did anybody watch the second half of San Diego (State game)?” Rolovich said. The Warriors, who were in four-receiver sets most of that game, were intercepted four times.
“I don’t want to live in that world right now,” Rolovich said. “Look through the conference. Nobody’s doing it. Look through college football. There are not a lot of people doing it. It’s becoming a power league. We’re like an anomaly with three receivers on the field.”
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Q: Is the defensive line the main emphasis in recruiting?
A: “It’s an emphasis, I don’t know if it’s the main emphasis,” said Rolovich, who also is seeking defensive backs and offensive linemen.
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Q: What leadership traits does Rolovich look for in players?
A: Rolovich said the leadership characteristics are: 1) doing things right, 2) maintaining core values, and 3) determination. “You look for guys who love football and want to go to school, and not guys who are waiting for this to end,” Rolovich said.
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Q: Any chance of bringing back Keith Bhonapha, a UH alumnus, former Boise State recruiting coordinator and current Washington running backs coach?
A: Zero. Nada. The big doughnut. Bhonapha earns $280,000 annually, works for a head coach who is in line for a 10-year extension, and aspires to coach in the NFL.
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Q: Does UH have enough December graduates to target mid-year recruits?
A: “We do,” Rolovich said.
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Q: What will UH need to beat Fresno State this week?
A: “Not turn the ball over, be much more efficient on offense, and eliminate penalties,” Rolovich said.
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Q: What are the thoughts about creating a trophy for the winner of the Fresno State-Hawaii game?
A: It doesn’t appear likely after a trophy was created for the UH-UNLV rivalry. “People were upset,” Rolovich said. “I don’t care. But when my 7-year-old daughter designs a trophy when I ask her to, I think it’s beautiful.”
After recalling an incident in Fresno in which a screwdriver was found on the UH sideline — thrown or dropped? — Rolovich said: “I’d love to have a screwdriver trophy. I’ll bring one. I think you can carry one on the plane.”
Mahalo Coach Rolo and ST
Mahalo Coach for putting rest to the “why not use the R&S” questions that keeps coming back from the dead. Tough love Coach and pound ’em!
Good job Tsai. Even the animals quote your
weekly Ask The Coach Tslog. 🙂
thanks Coach Rolo for confirming Kavapalu is still a “solid commit” to UH.
would love to see the other half, 6′ 10″ OL commit to UH – only 17 years old with a TON of talent to work with — if he does, we beat Michigan on this recruiting front!
it is disappointing to see/hear that some players still need an electric shock on the “okole” to stimulate their brain into wanting to do all the right things in practice and on the field – yet, Coach, the suggestion of using a heck of a lot more players during each game [ for a series of plays – individually or en masse ] could be the right stimulus some need – only 11 per side leaves the others looking in nearly every game — their time will come is an old wives tale that can surely be changed by the HC.
My rebuttal to Rolos answer of the 4 wide is:
1. When Hawaii ran 4 wide sets while he was at QB, “Other Teams” in the conference weren’t doing it either. Defenses in conference recruit to stop opposing offenses in the conference. If a team has an offense that no one else is running, it makes them unique and hard to stop. New Mexico is 1 example.
What made the Run n Shoot so effective in the early 2000s was because nobody was doing it.
2. There were 4 INTs, but is that due to running 4 wide sets, or because we practice less out of the 4 wide package? I don’t think 4 wide was the issue. I think our QBs level of comfort and lack of talent at skill positions are the bigger issue. We can’t even catch the ball.
3. I don’t want to do what everyone else is doing. I hope moving forward there will be something unique about Hawaii’s offense and we can have an identity about what we do.
5. Good points. What made Hawaii football exciting and successful in the past was its “difference.” Whether JJ with the RnS or Wags/Johnson with the option game we were unique. When we tried to match up conventionally as Chow did for four years we were an abysmal failure. We will seldom have the level of talent that is required to go head to head conventionally and be successful. We need innovation and difference to level the playing field. Even with difference our experience with the Sugar Bowl showed that superior talent will win out over innovation. But at least we were there. That was fun. Watching us get our butts whipped using conventional strategies……not so much.
Frankly, quite disappointed in some of Coach Rolo’s responses.
I posed the question regarding the receivers running short of the sticks on 3rd/4th downs. Kinda puts you in the hole when you make a catch 3-5 yards short of the 1st down marker and the defense is already in pass coverage on a passing situation.
If that’s the case, maybe his OC needs to call plays that have adequate yardage “built in” to make the 1st down. Disappointing coach.
Thanks to ST for the opportunity to ask these questions tho.
The Run n Shoot is passe.
ST & Tsaiko Blog Dogs:
While my question was not picked, I do like this means of getting our thoughts brought before Coach Rolo for answers/responses. This helps to bring some clarity to the situation as the program moves forward. Continuous improvement will yield rewards over time.
I notice my question “why doesn’t UH use a two running back offense?” was abridged quite a bit. My question was more along the lines of does the coach have any thoughts of occasionally adding a third run option to the offense by having Lakalaka paired with either Harris or St. Juste playing in the backfield.
The reason I asked that question was because in the BSU game they had an option play with a fake to Lakalaka, Dru rolling to his right with Collie circling in motion to be the pitch man. My thought after that play was it might have been better if Harris or St. Juste was the pitch man. Then my imagination kicked into high gear thinking we could run SDSU type sweeps or bootlegs or run UMN misdirecton plays with two RBs in at the same time. I emphasized the word occasionally.
In response to bringing former DB Keith Bhonapha back home to Hawaii, most of us understand that Hawaii can no longer afford to hire him, with his successes at Boise and now Washington, with Chris Petersen.
But is it possible for Coaches to have discussions and consults with former Alumni to learn and understand what systems, recruiting philosophies, practice formats, development and strategic use of player personnel, work better than others during the off season? There are many opportunities to get help from former Hawaii Warrior Football Alumni out there to help mentor our relatively young Coaching staff.
A: It doesn’t appear likely after a trophy was created for the UH-UNLV rivalry. “People were upset,” Rolovich said. “I don’t care. But when my 7-year-old daughter designs a trophy when I ask her to, I think it’s beautiful.”
Yo coach, have you paid attention at all to the election this year? There’s no such thing as pleasing everybody. There’s ALWAYS going to be people upset no matter how big or how small of an issue it is.
Wonder if we can use a GREEN football in home games?
With dark green uniforms, of course.
Isn’t it ironic that the first two (lower) levels of Aloha Stadium are Bronco Orange and Blue. First paint the orange section green to make it feel like Aloha Stadium is the home of the Warriors. All other on-campus sports venues are “green.”
A good win will sooth a lot of nerves. I do know one thing….every offensive play is designed and called to produce positive yards-this weeks game is about who wants it more as it always is! So there you have it.
H-Man #15:
that’s one of the reasons why UH should have an “on-campus” stadium so they control color schemes, concessions ( but, no Sodexo ), etc.
my opinion is one built over H-1 Freeway including portions of or all of Vassity Circle
If that 6’10” line man and that 6’6″ fellow recruit come and make such an impact that they start, Dru may have a problem when passing. Nice problem to have if they’re that good. Coach Naeole seems to have a way in getting his players to perform. Overall, I believe that this unit has been consistent even during the previous coaching regime.
I don’t believe that there would have been a big difference if Chow had a schedule similar to what Rolo had this year, but let’s face it, that schedule he had in his last year was beyond brutal. OSU, Wisconsin and BSU, on the road at the beginning with no bye, in a 13 week span would test any team and coaching staff.
Guud Afternoon Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
Waves are coming in today. Nice day for the beach.
I don’t care about making fashion statements on the field. I do care that our players need to be focused on execution and their responsibilities on each play. Don’t think a helmet will do that.
As far as plays aren’t designed to get a certain amount of yardage, maybe it’s time we do design plays for those situations. I just think the player need to be aware of how far and where he needs to go to extend or diminish the units field time. Post catch yards are a bonus and should not be counted on. You need 5 yards then run a 5 yard route. Yes, No? I’m not a football player or coach but…
Anyhoo, IMUA WARRIORS! dog on the menu this week…
Maddog50..#16 ditto that!
I’m glad my rice with ketchup brought back good memories. But, what I meant was that there wasn’t enough “good” food for the players. They need good food to play well. Wagner felt bad that some of them were just eating rice with ketchup. Some meat companies would drop off meat for the training table. I’m hoping we have come a long way since then. but, don’t know about UH sometimes. 🙂
A-House, Agree. I support the idea of having an on-campus football stadium.
#7, I’m really surprised by coach’s response on this. Almost every college analyst or pro football analyst mentions knowing where the 1st down marker/line of gain is and to run your pattern past that. These are not “yoyo hoho” type football people. These are former coaches at the highest level and former pro football hall of fame types. I don’t get it, but Coach Rolo knows a heck of a lot more about football than I do. I support him 100% and like his no excuse, tell the truth point of view.
Perhaps he can or someone else can provide another point of view about throwing short and having the receiver/back get the necessary yardage for the 1st down.
Very disappointing to hear Rolovich’s thoughts on the Run N Shoot.
I believe that even JJ realized that the RNS was slowly being solved and he incorporated the run aspect a lot more than the shoot.
Like any novel system you need the personnel to execute properly.
On another note, until we can recruit speed we will be chasing those rainbows to the end zone forever.
You fans can be disappointed all you like about Rolo’s answer on the run and shoot but you have to respect the man for being honest instead of throwing out BS lines.
It is HIS job on the line…not us keyboard warrior’s job…..so if he thinks the RnS is not the offense for him…then that is good enough for me. Everybody like to bring back the good old days but sometimes you got to move ahead and forget about what happened in the past.
I actually have ZERO problem with the offense we are running. We are just not executing it(lost two games with fumble in the last minutes that cost us the game) and dropping passes. These mistakes are not result of us not running the RnS.
Next season we will have DSJ back and also Freddie Holly. Our running game should be focus point of our offense since we will have studs at that position. We also have no speed at wideout so why run a offense when our personnel is not suited for that offense?
Defenses have not solved the spread, read option, west coast, air raid, power air raid or any other offense. It is about having the right players and coaches to execute those offenses. The problem UH is having now is they are not executing anything particularly well. I hope Rolo will find those players and coaches in the next couple years.
I suppose Coach Rolo is qualified to speak on the effectiveness of the Run-and- Shoot today. He played QB in Run-and-shoot under June Junes, put up great numbers that got him opportunities at the next level, came back to coach under JJ. If he says a pure run-and-shoot will not work today, then I accept his judgment. I recall even JJ said he has “adjusted it” since.
RE: #17
I don’t think a stadium should be built “over” the freeway. Maybe is should be built NEXT to the freeway on a “lid” extending from Dole Street to the freeway. Mercer Island in Seattle has such a “lid”…it is huge and has two softball fields on it. You can see the huge concrete support pillars from below. I have walked on it. It is now called Aubrey Davis Park
OMG!!
Didn’t Chow say same thing
Confrence play is power football!!!
Coach Price said same thing
physical superiority!!!!
BIG on BIG!!!!!!
Watch Kahuku smash St. Louis
R n S offense!!!!!
Rolo’s eventally going to get the players he needs for his offense. He won 3 mwc games at this point with his offense.
Wasn’t Hawaii 0-8 in the MWC – west two out of the four seasons under the previous HC?
The RnS was exciting when it was part of Hawaii’s offense. However, there were a few games where the team got torched by scores of 69-3 and 70-14 with the RnS. Rolo doesnt want the RnS. The End!
When he finally gets all the players in place and W’s start building, UH Rainbow Warrior football will have one more offense written in history next to Rolo’s name and coaching legacy. Enjoy the next game and hopefully they come away with a W.
I just think Rolo will eventually turn things around. At least the team won’t be in last place again in the mwc – west division. That’s a big positive to start turning the program around.
The RnS isn’t a type of offense on every down anymore it seems. It just seems like a type of a play called within an offensive drive.
#5 … I was pretty disappointed with the run and shoot answer too, for the reasons you stated.
Mahalo Coach.
My opinion is UH should build more housing on campus. That would help the school more and give it more of a college town vibe.
Stadium is fine where it is.
Really disappointed we not getting a Trophy for Saturday game.
I wanted a screwdriver trophy
Looking for the only trophy that counts-a win on the road and a 4-4 record in the MW! Again a well worn sportism “stay in the moment” or “live in the moment”. The pregame interview by Coach Abe “the focus is on this game and the one that wants it more wins”. All this talk about that other thing, which I won’t mention should not even be remotely in the head of these kids. Two disappointing give away wins and two drubbings are enough to drive you to be one passionate upset driven player. It is time for “Team Warrior” to rear its ugly head and take it out one the Bulldogs with a 4 Quarter relentless effort-They are capable-GoWarriors!!!!!!
This post concerns question#1.
I seem to remember that past Hawaii football teams used to wear black uniforms with a dark helmet, a white uniform with a silver helmet, and/or a combination of Black with Silver with either the dark helmet, or silver helmet. So, I did some research on the current Under Armour contract with UH. Based on the research I did, it appears the contract with Under Armour comes to an end in 2016. According to the UH Manoa Athletic Department audit report, Under Armour provides UH Football $331,000 allowance to acquire equipment/apparel, and another $155,000 for the rights to be the exclusive provider of equipment and apparel…
Based on the numbers cited by Rolo in this post, it is evident that the current contract with Under Armour does not provide the needed sponsorship for UH.
If Rolo is struggling to get the gear that he wants for the team, maybe they need to renegotiate with Under Armour or find a new equipment/apparel vendor.
Maybe that’s what Rolo meant in part when he said “…that issue will be resolved during the offseason ”
IMHO, It appears the tag team combination of Ben Jay and Norm Chow has set UH Football back both on and off the field
There is an interesting story in the Fresno paper by David Carr endorsing the hiring of their new coach. If you get a chance imagine if you change the names and keep the essence of the article the same-Coach Rolovich is that same new hire with that same approach and the same goals-Let’s go get dem Dogs!!!!
SteveM:
what would be the cost to build a “lid” over the quarry/lower campus” to build a football stadium above it? number of “pillars” to support stadium weight?
expense to install necessary lighting to illuminate whatever is “under” the “lid”?
cost to replace the grass with artificial plants, grass, etc?
what is wrong with a building above the freeway? that portion on the mauka side of H-1/lower campus would have restricted parking for visiting team buses, emergency vehicles including police/security, delivery/storage area for all food for UH-Manoa campus, etc. absolutely NO public parking on game day in the quarry.
in 1960, I proposed UH build parking structures along the entire “cliff” of the quarry with student housing and/or classrooms above – administration laughed at my proposal and said I was crazy
So earlier, when UH was looking for a coach, people on this very blog were talking about how the run and shoot was dead, how we don’t want the run and shoot, how june jones was overrated, he’s not a quarterback guru, and his offense is a failure now because the game has moved on, etc. I believe it was Jeezy that even said he’d rather have pat hill from fresno over june jones and a run and shoot offense.
Now all of a sudden everyone wants rolo to spread it out and do the run and shoot? lol proves that we’re all armchair quarterbacks who don’t know what we’re talking about.
I’m not too worried about what type of offense Rolo has been running. I’ll repeat myself and say this is Rolo’s offense version 1.0. Next season will be version 2.0 with more passing. I think prior to Spring ball the vision for the offense was to be 60% pass and 40% run. After Spring ball the coaches may have concluded they don’t have the personnel to run a pass heavy offense and settled on installing an offense better suited to the players they had.
I assume the offensive brain trust had a lot of discussions before settling on the type and balance of the offense. This year they seemed to have settled on an establish the run offense taking advantage of their RB talent and the run blocking ability of the offensive line. They clearly weren’t comfortable having a pass first offense with any of their on roster QBs throwing 45+ times a game. Maybe they were unsettled by the number of pass protection breakdowns that happened in Spring ball. Maybe they were unnerved by the number of drops or lack of separation. There are a lot of reasons why the coaches went in this direction for now.
Who’s to say if this was the right decision. I can follow their train of thought to establish something they could build on. The coaches and fans all have their own ideas on what should comes next as in it’s current form the offense is pretty basic. It won’t move the ball consistently unless it plays glitch free or is physically superior to the defense they’re playing.
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
A-House, while building an elevated stadium is novel, I shudder to think of the cost. Think about the cost of the choo choo train. What ever the estimate for an elevated stadium might be, multiply that by 5 or more. Then we should be in the “ball park”.
I’m not sure why construction is so darn expensive in Hawaii but shipping cost for materials can’t be the sole reason for estimates being so off the charts.
UH is supposed to be turning out graduates who are able to take on challenges whether it be business, sciences, medical etc.. If they laughed at your proposal then we need to change the administration.
Wouldn’t it be a great project for students and instructors to work on?
Anyhoo, pau rant for the day…
Renegotiate that contract…for Coach Rolo! Getting cheap labor will only last so long!
IMUA WARRIORS!
UH fans before rolo was hired: We dont’ want june jones! the run and shoot is dead! june jones was overrated! we’d rather have pat hill as head coach (jeezy). People have solved the run and shoot.
UH fans now: Why isn’t rolo running the run and shoot? it was so innovative! it will work, for sure!
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=40264