Kurt Gouveia arrived in town yesterday, and by that afternoon, he already was at work in the football office. Gouveia was hired a week ago to coach the outside linebackers. He is a former Waianae High, BYU and NFL player. * * * * * In a unique format, the first AD show (featuring Ben Jay) will be at 6 p.m. today on ESPN 1420 AM. Bobby Curran is the co-host.  

Self-disclosure No. 1: I don’t know Falaniko Noga or Al Noga personally, and I never covered them as a beat reporter. Self disclosure No. 2: As a fill-in member of UH’s Circle of Honor selection committee, I nominated Niko Noga and Al Noga. Both are among seven former UH student-athletes who will be inducted this year. First, there are no concerns about the their on-field abilities. I’m 53, and I’ve followed UH football for 40 years. Niko Noga is the […]

There is a bumper sticker that reads: “Paris, London, New York, Waimanalo.” That list is as unique as USC quarterback Max Wittek’s transfer choices: Texas, Louisville and Hawaii. Hawaii? Two of UH coach Norm Chow’s friends can be credited with Wittek’s consideration of the Rainbow Warriors — Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Clarkson. Johnson, of course, is well known as a television analyst, “Dancing With the Stars” competitor, and former NFL wide receiver. Clarkson, known as the “Dream Maker,” is considered […]

At last count, about 17 former UH football players will participate in the Rainbow Warriors’ pro day in San Diego on March 20. The combo-like event will be held in the morning at the San Diego State facilities. Unlike last year, when UH and San Diego State were co-hosts, this time the former Warriors will have a separate session for drills in front of NFL scouts. The SDSU players will work out in the afternoon session. So far, all but […]

For an hour each week, the Rainbow Warriors are tumbling and rolling and jumping and sprinting and, let’s face it, gasping. Mat drills were popularized at cold-weather schools as a supplement to offseason conditioning programs. In such places as Ohio State, the drills are held indoors and on mats. Because this is Hawaii and there is no indoor-training facility — nor mats, for that budgetary matter — the Warriors tumble, roll, jump, sprint and gasp on Ching field. Early signs […]

Kamehameha alumni of a certain age will remember two of the school’s best football players and wrestlers — Spencer Mello and Richard “Moose” Mello. Both brothers were All-State football players; both were champion wrestlers. Spencer Mello’s son, Seth Mello, has made a name for himself at New Mexico’s Valley High as an All-State center in football and champion wrestler. Seth Mello, who is 6-1 and 240 pounds, also can play defensive end. Seth Mello has applied for admission to UH […]

It should be no surprise players seeking to transfer from four-year schools are considering Hawai as a destination. Since Norm Chow was hired as UH coach in December 2011, these players became Warriors: > Kaeo Alo, defensive lineman, Utah > Duke Bukoski, receiver, Idaho State > Jeremy Castro, linebacker, UCLA > Nick Childs, defensive lineman, Avila > Josh Gist, defensive back, Greensboro > Taylor Graham, quarterback, Ohio State > Ryan Hall, tight end, Duke > Keahi Hogan, safety, Arizona > […]

Kurt Gouveia’s hiring as outside linebacker coach is proving to be a wise choice. There were four finalists for the job, with each receiving face-to-face interviews with coach Norm Chow. It eventually came down to Gouveia, who was raised in Waianae and won two Super Bowl rings during a 13-year NFL career, and Joey Porter, a former All-Pro linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. UH chose Gouveia, who brings football experience, enthusiasm and  a Westside-to-riches story that could be inspirational to […]