Warrior Beat

Expanded coverage of UH football, including practice notes, game analysis, recruiting info and observations on the Mountain West Conference.

About the blog host

Stephen Tsai covers University of Hawaii football for the Star-Advertiser. Follow him on Twitter @StephenTsai and sign up for the Hawaii football newsletter here: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/email-signup/

Latest news

Kemp added to Chiefs’ playoff roster

By Stephen Tsai on January 3, 2018

There’s another reason for Hawaii football fans to be interested in this weekend’s playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Marcus Mariota’s Tennessee Titans. Former UH wideout Marcus Kemp was signed to the Chiefs’ active roster, according to the team’s web site.(Kemp story) “Just blessed and extremely grateful to everyone who has been involved,” Kemp said in a text to the Star-Advertiser. “I have loved ones watching over me and I only hope to make them proud. I am […]

Safety choice

By Stephen Tsai on January 2, 2018

One of the top safeties in recent UH memory — Trayvon Henderson — appears to have reached an agreement with one of the top firms. Carter Chow, son of Norm Chow, is part of the Steve Dubin-Don Yee firm that also represents Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. Henderson is preparing for the Jan. 27 Reece’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

Sugar, spice and everything was nice

By Stephen Tsai on January 1, 2018

The Butterfly Effect. Rube Goldberg’s Machine. Whatever the description, it took a progression of circumstances to lead to the Warriors’ playing in the 2008 Sugar Bowl 10 years ago today. At the end of the 2004 season, during which the Warriors won the final four games to finish at 8-5, head coach June Jones admittedly had lost the joy of the job. The melancholy was short lived. Two significant things happened. Jones hired his former boss, Jerry Glanville, as defensive […]

Former Warrior still going

By Stephen Tsai on December 31, 2017

I have two images of Samson Anguay. It was during 2011 spring practice when Anguay effortlessly caught punts, then ran at different levels of speed and quick-cut precision. He was like a DVR control: Forward, pause, FF, FF2, FF3 … At the end of that spring, he was named as the Warriors’ No. 1 punt returner. Then that summer, there is Anguay, dropping to the ground for no other reason than misfortune. He is helped off the field, awaiting the […]

Batoon named defensive coordinator

By Stephen Tsai on December 29, 2017

The deal was finalized today to officially hire Corey Batoon as the Warriors’ defensive coordinator. Batoon brings: > Experience: He has coached for 26 years, the past year as Florida Atlantic’s co-defensive coordinator. He also coached at Mississippi. At 49, Batoon will be the oldest member of the UH coaching staff. That’s important because it means he knows a prospect’s father or uncle. > Recruiting: Nick Rolovich praised Batoon’s diligence in recruiting. Rolo has known about Batoon for about 10 […]

Just say, ‘No’

By Stephen Tsai on December 28, 2017

The Baker said to Fred: “I’m making 15 apple pies that I’m giving away for free on Wednesday. Fourteen people already said they want a pie. I like you, and I’ll save a pie for you, if you want it. But if you don’t want it, that’s OK, there are several other people who will take it. Just let me know.” Fred said he is interested. Fred then visited the bakery, had a sample, and talked to other customers about […]

LB coach not returning to Warriors

By Stephen Tsai on December 27, 2017

Linebackers coach Sean Duggan will not be returning to the UH coaching staff, the Star-Advertiser has learned. The Warriors are set to hire five coaches. Chris Naeole resigned as offensive line coach in October. Defensive coordinator Legi Suiaunoa and receivers coach Kefense Hynson accepted coaching jobs at Oregon State. The NCAA will allow FBS teams to hire a 10th assistant coach in January. Duggan coached middle linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who led the Warriors in tackles the past two seasons after […]

Aloha state of mind

By Stephen Tsai on December 26, 2017

As legend has it, Craig Stutzmann was a perfect 16 for 16 over three years as recruiting host to prospects who ended up signing with UH. Rocky Savaiigaea also was a host with the most in building classes a decade ago. It appears that two of the best hosts this past recruiting period were offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool and running back Miles Reed. That’s significant because both are true freshmen who redshirted this past season and important players in the […]