Wait and see
Nobody likes to wait.
We don’t like to twiddle our thumbs at the doctor’s office. We don’t like to circle the airport until somebody arrives curbside with the bags. We don’t like to keep refreshing the home page until the blogger decides to get off his wallet and post an item every morning.
But sometimes waiting is good and purposeful. For all the manure some give to the folks in Manoa, the thing UH does correctly is vet potential hires.
There’s always a feeling, accurate or not, that somebody landed a job because they “knew” somebody. Maybe that’s accurate, maybe not. But at UH, even if a person has an “in,” there can be weeks between when a job opens and when it is filled. There’s the mandatory 10 working days that a position must be advertised. The finalists must be interviewed, often by at least three people. And that’s not just for high-profile jobs. Student applying for part-time campus jobs also must face a selection committee. After that, for full-time jobs, an independent investigation service does a detailed background check. After that, there’s the mandatory tests for TB, drugs, etc.
For instance, if a head coach were to select, oh, let’s say an offensive coordinator, it will take at least a few weeks to finalize the hire. In the grand scheme, that’s not a bad thing. At the least, it gives the appearance that the hiring process is fair. A UH official might want to hire his brother-in-law, but that guy better have an accurate resume and a relatively clean police abstract.
There are no exceptions. Luke Matthews had to go through the extensive process to be hired as a graduate assistant for the football team two years ago. He then had to go through the same process to move to full-time assistant coach. Logic would dictate that he already has passed an initiation test, why do it a second time?
Fair is fair. And fair also is why UH still must wait to name the next offensive and defensive coordinators.
Here’s today’s story on the coordinators: Coordinators
First?
Good morning all!
I understand the importance of a proper vetting process. It’s the prudent thing to do. We do it at my company. But our background checks, which are quite thorough and include an interview by the human resources staff, typically take three to four days from the time a candidate is selected. The process should not take weeks.
GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!
Stephen: Sorry for the delay – couldn’t find my wallet!
HawaiiMongoose:
You’re right.
And UH probably could save time if HR did its own background checks. I’m pretty sure there are a lot of computer-science people who could do background checks on their laptops.
Then again, I think UH/state does need an extensive vetting process.
If somebody doesn’t work out at McDonald’s, you give the guy a Happy Meal and send him on his way.
If an administrative assistant doesn’t work out at UH, you’re stuck with that person for 40 years. In this economy, nobody is leaving a state job with benefits.
That would also be fine, if they didn’t hire a new AD every couple of years or a football coach every four years or a new president of the university every six years (just guessing). Maybe if the selection committee made good choices to begin with, it wouldn’t seem like the process takes so long every single time.
UH people need to correct me if I’m wrong, but if I get hired to clean desk tops, then move to a job cleaning windows, I would have to move back to desk-top cleaning to be terminated. Or something like that.
Rage777:
Good points.
With what is available on-line, even at a price, you do a very good review of an individual without enlisting an agency. I think we all want the “bleeding” at Manoa to stop…Any news or changes are seen as good news. We gotta get out of this sink hole.
Any news on the AD selection process?
Rage777:
A person also shouldn’t “resign,” then be allowed to make department-wide decisions for the next six months.
BowWar:
Nope. Still in the “process.”
The other day, somebody threw out an interesting prospect: Dave Maitlin, of the Hawaii Bowl.
The guy knows the financial/political climate at UH. He has local, mainland and ESPN ties.
Props to Chow for putting his ego aside and hiring an offensive coordinator. I think Bailey’s offensive style is a good fit– primarily a passing guy, but with QB talent and some receivers and slots we need the passing game. But Bailey has started to add more run to his offense– striking a balance of pass to run about what JJ ran. The challenge will be to get the offensive line in sync with the new system, protect the QB and run block– will need to be patient with the oline development.
I mentioned this before, but Rich Cimini of ESPN.com said one of the difficulties of being an offensive coordinator is the Madden video game. Every fan with an XBox thinks he can call plays better than the OC.
But sports has the human element. Script the best plays, practice them all you like, but if there’s a nagging injury or a breakup with a girlfriend, that player is not going to be having a good game.
Don Bailey looks like a good hire wbose offense put up some impressive numbers and productivity In the Big Sky last season. Agree that Chow needs to step back and let Bailey do his thing. Idaho State seems to be a place where a number of coaches have gotten their start in the profession. Cincinnati Bengals HC Marvin Lewis, Utah’s Kyle Whityingham, Dave Christianson, among others got their start at Idaho State.
Whatever offense UH runs, it needs a tight end. Now, it can be an off-line tight end, but it needs that blocking/receiving threat. It also needs receivers who can get separation. I think Pedroza moving to the slot, and Ewaliko and Devan Stubblefield playing opposite Marcus Kemp will expand the vertical game.
Not sure what it is, but it seems there are a lot of innovative coaches who came out of the Northwest, including Mouse Davis and Dennis Erickson.
Interesting post. Things seem to proceed agonizingly slowly at UH.
But, I understand the vetting process.
For my rental unit, I interviewed an applicant, who produced a letter from the federal government that acknowledged his promotion and salary and COLA. This was good for me as landlord, because the applicant had already been vetted by the federal government, and I didn’t have to do anything more.
13. Issue with Hawaii is the ability to in game adjust. If game plan is to establish the run, coaches continue to force it even when not there. Obviously we don’t have Tom Brady but the Patriots thrive off running the football. Seattle was having 0 part of it in the Super Bowl and decided to change the script and have Vereen come in the game to catch multiple short passes which opened up the middle for the slots. Which is why it is important to recruit versatile athletes that can give us multiple options. And why I like Paul Harris signing. If we use him properly is still the biggest question mark. Clune didn’t utilize Shawley correctly even though he still did pretty well.
Back to offense though where Hawaii had a lot more to play for than we think against Fresno. I don’t have the exact numbers but as soon as Woolsey turned it over early on, we decided to go conservative and force the run… Only to wait until the end to let Woolsey make plays and almost pull off the miracle come back.. Stay aggressive early and make earlier adjustments and maybe our team has a chance. We did beat UNLV but trying to force the run when UNLV decided to stack the box with everyone almost blew it for us.
Guud Morning Tsaikos…bootiful day.
Hope the new personnel get on the program quickly. Meanwhile the kids are gearing up..IMUA WARRIORS!
defenses/offenses getting real sophisticated now days. new game plans and approaches but it still comes down to getting the opposing offense to become one dimensional so you dictate what they do. if you have the ability to do that the game gets easy. multiple reads, defense trying to confuse qb’s, the game getting really interesting. new coaches getting to test their defensive/offensive theory come from young guns who need the chance to showcase their packages. I really like seeing new coaches come on board…again…IMUA WARRIORS!
Good morning everyone!
ST — anything new on the Special Teams coach prospects?
There were some interesting names floating around here last week… 🙂
Being a successful coordinator also means adjusting the offense to fit (a) the talent you have, (b) fit the defenses you are going to see from most of your competition, and (c) match the defense and special teams you have– if you have good punter and kicker and good defense, the offense can gamble a little more. Bailey seems to have adjusted at Idaho State by using talent at running back ot add more run to his offense.
special teams game plan should take a cue from baseball….see ball…hit ball…see ball carrier…hit ball carrier…lol
yup..you have what you have. make the best of it. can’t do anything more but we’ve had some kids who always exceed and that’s what make them WARRIORS!
All things considered the OC and DC hires (should they come to fruition) are pretty good. Under our current circumstances I don’t think it is reasonable to expect higher profile coaches. This will probably be a one and done situation for both if NC doesn’t get us to the Hawaii Bowl this year. So to even consider taking the job the circumstance needs to make sense. I can see how it would for both of these coaches. They both will have enough to work with to have a chance at success. If they do, great for all of us. If not, a cleansing of the coaching will be needed anyway. If feel a little more hopeful about the upcoming season. I really feel that we will all know a great deal more after the first game against Colorado. It will either be the start of a another long and painful season or give us a glimmer of hope.
If anybody wants a sneak peek, “accidentally” mosey on down to UH Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Max Wittek puts on quite a performance. But the thing is, Ikaika Woolsey isn’t ready to give it up, either. Anyway, judge for yourself.
Dave Baldwin always reminds me of that mad scientist who gives defenses fits. Maybe Bailey will be like that, maybe not.
As for calling plays, I think Nick Rolovich is a much better coordinator after working under Chris Ault for a year. Rolovich already knew the run-and-shoot aspect; I thought learning the running game made him a much better coach.
This is Chow’s make or break year. Either he wins or he’s out. Quite simple. When Daronte Jones and No Clune left with less than a month to letter of intent day, it essentially killed our recruiting class. To make matters worse, Clune takes our commits Woo and Cronk with him. I still dont understand why Chow will not offer Miano a coaching spot on his staff. Miano is highly respected in the islands and has coaching experience at the collegiate level. He should of been hired right after Daronte Jones left. He might of made the difference with some of our recruits staying instead of decommitting.
I was unaware, not surprisingly, that “Demo” was let go or his contract not renewed – per morning sports pages.
due diligence can be accelerated, but with Hawaii’s archaic statute, it makes it very difficult to hasten replacements – BTW, how old is this statute? how effective has it been? my sense tells me it goes back to the 50’s or 60’s, post BIG 5 and plantation days, to keep “outsiders” away and I will presume it has discouraged many including prior local residents who went away and trying to come back home – will acknowledge that tis applies only to State jobs.
should our esteemed Legislature review to determine if it is still necessary in this new world of “technology” and its effectiveness?
Like Congress, our elected representatives, house and senate, are more interested in keeping their jobs, including perks, than helping the State of Hawaii 0f JMHO.
when a colleague first ran for office, I told him that any $$$ donation comes with a price – such as, don’t you remember the envelope I handed you? now, I need your help – his response was he would not bend to special interests – when his public office days were nearing an end, we meet at a conference and his first remark was it was within 7 days that the “donor” was knocking on his desk.
elected officials to Congress and State legislature work for special interest – no if or buts! not for the people who put them there!!!
Tues and Thurs at uh What time?
Being vetted twice is fair? I call it stupid. I bet if they had to spend their own money you’d see a lot less “fairness”. All this vetting and UH still ends up firing people, hiring attorneys and, buying out contracts.
Warriorsanddolphins:
1. I think Jordan Wynn was the point recruiter for Woo and Cronk.
2. I don’t think Woo or Cronk signed with Utah State. I don’t think Woo is a qualifier yet, and I think Cronk was dropped.
Maybe I’m right. Maybe I’m wrong. But here’s the link to USU’s signing day: http://www.utahstateaggies.com/signingday/ust-15-signing-day-central.html
Miano has a good job working at Horizon, along with his Speed and Quickness camps, along with being the color guy for OC 16.
Miano did not apply for the job.
I don’t know if he would have been hired if he applied. I do know that there was no chance he would be hired if he didn’t apply.
As the slogan goes: The worst shot is the one not taken.
Forgot about Auwae from Kapolei signing with USU. Ikaika Malloe (USU D-Line Coach) recruit?
Old School Dave-you are absolutely correct–he has a great job. It’s a job, and has all the attendant qualities of a job–good and bad.
A great many of my friends are coaches –and they are an entirely different breed. He loves coaching and it’s not a job, it’s both a passion and a large part of his entire adult life–he’ll be back coaching, at some level and capacity, as some point.
I’m always asked how I would rate the recruiting class. I don’t know because I’m not used to classes involving returning missionaries. Is a 21-year-old Gus Lavaka better than an 18-year-old Gus Lavaka? I don’t know. I do know that Utah State uses the missions tactic. I also know that San Diego State doesn’t.
A few years ago, I was thinking about the pros/cons of recruiting on the mainland and locally. I remember thinking that Trevor Davis, who was a backup receiver at the time, probably would have been the top offensive recruit if he had played for a local high school.
Again. I don’t know. Like everybody else, I’ll see how this plays out this season.
By the way, the beauty of being a beat writer is I really don’t have an opinion.
The other thing is I get banned and yelled at all the time. I just don’t say anything because I’m not pertinent to the story.
Stephen: remember the recruit back in the 80s from back east (Mass) who was called the next Tony Dorsett? I don’t think he ever saw the playing field for UH.
OYB – yet, here you are every day
oldyobo, you are so un-nice (if there is such a word).
Makes me ashamed to be old and a yobo, too.
I keep telling people to co-exist peacefully, just like Russia and China.
I judge a recruiting class by setting my standard of finding 10 players per class that can play at a above average to great level. It’s nice to hit home runs but if you can find 10 doubles or better recruits, I think you did your job. In the long run, you hit on 10 guys per season, combined with the occasional 1-2 walk ons who exceed expectations per year, you can build a successful program. That allows you to whiff on 15 guys a year whether a kid transfers, no grades, or just evaluated poorly.
So heres 2012 recruiting class: http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2012/2/1/FB_0201124903.aspx
We finished way under the 10 threshold so it is probably why we are struggling.
39. He didn’t equate a workout to game effectiveness or dismiss another quarterback. Your post just validates that you have poor reading comprehension.
I know of a kid who’s 8 yrs old, about 4’8″ and weighs 180lbs. Way to big for Pop Warner. Yet to be discovered. I told his mom to take him to the next football camp that comes around.
This years recruiting class appears very disappointing because we
1. Didn’t sign a full class.
2. Couldn’t hold on to DeSean Holmes
3. Lost out on players to bad football teams that would never happen in the past.
But I think we can find 10 solid players from this class which would make it a success. Only downfall is Wittek has 1 season if he is a hit.
1. Wittek
2. Kema- Kaleiwahea
3. Russell Williams
4. Agasiva
5. Dejaun Butler (high on him)
6. Harris- Finally a home run threat
7. Matautia- gem of high school class
8. Lavaka
9. Zwahlen – future hopefully
10. Collie
Lot of the others are projects but hopefully one of the tall O linemen pan out. If Cam Hayes comes, he’ll be a good one.
I can wait to watch Max Wittek, but I am getting anxious about UH getting the two coordinators in place by the start of spring training. Processing and clearing a new employee should be managed in a couple of weeks. But at UH it seems there is little regard for completing tasks efficiently and effectively.
So gi-gi did you raise the rent because the person had cola?
Im guessing they will be here by then… probably already packing and will be out here even before being formally introduced
Rich Miano was a guest host with Gary Dickman earlier this week. In listening to him, I had the impression that he would have thought about coaching at UH if called upon. He said he has a relationship with Chow but was not called. It gave me the impression that he felt if he really was wanted Chow would call him. He also said he is not done coaching.
Stephen you are on fire. Everyone be confident about this season. This new OC has me excited. I would guess he has playing calling duties. Wynn is young but will be a good coach.
Very interesting regarding Woo and Cronk. That should quiet some of the downers
The DC and OC look good, but you never know how they will do here (or anywhere for that matter). But I am glad that something was done because Chow recognized that we need to make changes if we are going to turn things around– a huge step for Chow. We could not keep going the way we were. As to other coaches, hopefully, the new coordinators can bring in at lease some of the people they need.
it appears that Woo and Cronk would NOT have qualified for UH either or am I way off-base?
Will the OC, if Chow allows his to do his job, or DC also allow the position coaches to do their jobs with minimal interference? A good position coach with a micro-managing DC or OC can minimize the productiveness of the position coach – flip side is if the position coach needs a lot of help, then we have the wrong person occupying that position
8 years old and 4′ 8″ and 180 lbs – it that considered “tall” for his age? is he another Langi in the making?
Ooops, looks like oldyobo got deleted.
Amela, no I did not raise the rent because the tenant has cola. He is a terrific tenant, as he is rarely home and goes off-island a lot because of his job.
Anyway, back to regular programming.
I am really excited that coach Chow has decided to hire an OC.
I hope he lets the new OC do his job without undue interference.
A-House….yes money talks…n BS walks….when you consider that Hanabusa raised about 1.5 million…dive that by 24 (house 2 year term…senate 6 years)…n you have how much she needs a month to raise that amount….for her next challenge…then one gets to understand…why almost all politicos have hand out…mucho time there is spent on raising funds…(marketing)
Moral of the post….be a politician…or be a taxi driver…or both…n be a one term governor…he he he
st:
you are stirring the pot and inferring a QB competition on Tues and Thurs – hope all the receivers are also out there to create the “timing” betwixt them
must be interesting seeing both trying to “out-do-the other” in a friendly, but serious competition – only makes each better for the sake of the team
is the former St Louis WR healed enough to participate?
any word on what the OL and DL are doing?
are they all in “off-season” work out at this time? How about hitting the weights.
WR and RB should be training, unofficially with the track and field team to increase their speed – Coach Carmen may give them some good pointers.
sat:
#55 – like your last comment above!
I think people should judge for themselves. Costs nothing to watch a workout
I said it last week that Chow could up his 2015 recruiting class points by offering Colton Goeas a scholie.
Stephen, when is the walkon tryouts?
I remember in the past it was around the time of the baseball season opener
Defending the Hail Mary pass.
If you were a coach would you copy the Patriots and use your best player/tall player on pass defense in the end zone. The Patriots use their All-Pro TE, Gronkowski, 6-6 at defending the Hail Mary pass. Likewise would UH be better off using Unga or Kemp (6-5, 6-4) over an undersized DB in this situation? When Mack was here he would use Salas on these types of plays, which I thought was smart.
Breakout player for UH in 2015-Unga? I can see (even in brief action, warm ups) that the player has talent and can be an impact type player.
Wish list-I hope the OL coach or Chow elects to put Clarke back at center.
Regarding incoming recruit Agasiva, 6-4, 315, would he make a good nose tackle? Or do you think his future is at offensive tackle?
Does anyone else feel better about the Warriors than they did about a week ago? I do. You look at the new OC, upward trajectory-that’s a plus. The DC, seasoned coach, coaching since 1981. Both the OC and DC coached with Pokey Allen at Portalnd State and Boise. So there should be some chemistry between the two, which is also a plus.
15. ST… Is Vasquez Haynes not starting over Kemp this season?
#31,
Both Cronk and Woo apparently headed to Arizona Western College…….
http://www.ohsfoundation.org/2015/02/05/ohs-athletes-sign-letters-of-intent-on-feb-4/
So Mason going to be the db coach or are we still looking? Too bad we couldn’t have gotten Odum who went to OSU.
59. He needs to earn it in my opinion. He didn’t want to come here out of high school and unless he is a can’t miss kid, I say earn your scholarship.. It’s nice to have leverage when certain kids say they wanted to go away as 18 year olds. We are pretty deep at LB.
Don’t think he was ever offered out of high school why should we offer a scholie now?. Don’t see what bigwave sees in Goeas. Kid was too slow to play LB at St.Louis and way undersized to play DL in college.
#56 the team started their off season training with Strength Coach Beemer at the end of January.
#61 agree with you about Unga. Although he made just one reception all year against Nevada, his size and speed look like he has a lot of potential.
If and when he adds a bit more to his frame during the offseason training, the guy is gonna be imposing.
Goeas is a freebie. He’s a walk on
UH recruited Goeas, then he committed to Tennessee. The Vols dropped him. He contacted UH but it moved on. He’s a good player and a good kid. Father is first class. Like I said before, there only are so many seats. Grab ’em fast.
Whoever the coach of the future is, chow or anybody else, they better do their homework on what it takes to be successful at Hawaii. When Chow took over he wanted to run a pro set offense playing smash mouth football with huge linemen. Tomey, Wagner and June Jones knew that we could never get the huge blue chip linemen that could run block on a consistent basis. We have to run something different like the west coast or option offense that doesnt require the blue chip athlete. In my opinion we should never be recruiting the east coast and florida. Not that they dont have good athletes, its the distance factor and the lifestyle. We should be going after California kids and go no farther than Texas.
70.–I thought the West Coast is what Norm runs or used to run. That is what Fred v A. ran too.
UH ran a spread, three-receiver offense last year.
72. — i think that’s better than a west coast one. West Coast was run by BYU a long time ago, per wikipedia. I don’t know what they run now.
I think an 8 yr old about 4’8″ 4’9″ is on the taller side. The umpressive part is his legs look like tree trunks!
Sitting in the Ala Moana parking lot outside of Liberty House, listening to Jarin Akana drop 28 on the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill, just before a Amway meeting at The Gazebo. Relaying details to the game in which nobody cares about but me. RIP Dean Smith.
I meant impressive not unimpressive
I don’t care what offense the team runs, I want the execution to improve. Without execution any offense will not be productive….
If Mason gets hired as the DC…..and plans to stick with 3-4 front……then UH will still need to sign a couple NT types……preferably at least 1 JC guy…..
aloha everyone !! know the wait and see !! ST did UH get kids from outer island to come to UH?
78. Pretty sure ST hinted we are going to a 4-3.. which makes prefect sense. We have the lbs to thrive in 4-3 and Shawley will be way better now that he’ll be on edge more.. should allow Castro to bulk up and be more natural DE… we still need some bodies inside tho along with lavaka. Look out for Gifford to be a good one
we attended the baseball fund raiser tonight – great food – sat with Stretch, Powder Puff, Chawan, Lefty, Ryan, and 2 gals from Stretch’s work place
met Keith Amemiya and encouraged him to apply for the UHAD’s position – hope he does as he has many attributes to do an excellent job – leader, knows the BOR and upper campus folks, knows the local landscape (business people, football coaches, etc.),low keyed and humble, and knowledgeable about putting things together.
mytake #73:
hope I’m still alive 10 years from now to see him accept a UH football scholarship – maybe 6′ 6″ tall and 315 #s nose tackle
#81 – How did Mr. Amemiya receive your suggestion? I hope he applies as well (and gets the job!)
I know that UH can make hires faster than people think. Most major hires post Herman Frazier have been pretty quick. Gib Arnold was hired in 12 days. Norm Chow was hired in about 2 weeks as well. I’m not sure how long it took to hire Laura Beeman and Charlie Wade, but I’m sure it wasn’t the four months Herman Frazier took to hire Jim Bolla.
And let’s not forget that Virginia Hinshaw only took about seven weeks to hire Jim Donovan.
I know we’ve lost all confidence in UH to get things done, but let’s keep our fingers crossed that the next AD can be on board in enough time to hire our next basketball coach, despite the publicly announced timeline of “middle of the year”.
Amemiya applied a long time ago. He’s the clubhouse leader, followed by Rick Blangiardi and then Mufi Hannemann. JJ did not apply.
Think UH can win 7 games? Bet my UH grad friends that if they do I will buy them a wonderful 7 or 9 course Chinese dinner. Around 5 guys @ $30 per. Should be good.
mufi …. aaaaaugh …..
he’s looking out for himself, wants to improve his image.
he wants to be GOVERNOR.. not AD.
Since Amemiya is a Punahou alum, did he support the hire of Chow and Arnold?
Just asking.
Mufi should just stick to politics or whatever he does……….No way AD.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=27654