The game ended 15 minutes earlier, but not even the NCAA-mandated “cooling-off period” could lower Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich’s emotional temperature.
He was angered about imploded assignments, inconsiderate penalties, and whiffed tackles. That night, the news conference and ensuing interviews were not filled with aloha.
Rolovich’s uncharacteristic testiness was in response to a game the Rainbow Warriors actually had won — 41-18 over FCS member Western Carolina — to improve to 2-0. As it turned out, there was reason for concern. The Warriors would lose nine of the next 10 to finish 3-9 in Rolovich’s second season as head coach. The season-long symptom was too many missed opportunities; the cause was everything that alarmed Rolovich about the Western Carolina game.
The Warriors appeared to be playing catch-up the entire season. Their opening drives averaged 5.1 plays and 13.1 yards, and resulted in nine punts, two turnovers and a fourth-down shortcoming. Their average opening play was 0.17 yards.
They committed 38 penalties punishable by 10 or more yards. The line committed 37 of the offense’s 60 penalties. Some illegal grabs were made to protect quarterback Dru Brown on scrambles. The run-pass-option plays led to five infractions. The scheme’s intent — waiting for the last nanosecond for Brown to hand off or keep the football — had the downside of linemen advancing too far downfield too early on roll-out passes.
But the Warriors did reduce their penalties, from an average of 9.3 for 87.2 yards in the first six games to 6.1 and 50.5 in the final six games.
The Warriors converted at 38 percent on third down, the highest since 2011, but still short of the 50-percent goal.
They also could not solve injury problems, especially to the offensive line, which only once started the same lineup in consecutive games. It was estimated that half the 2017 recruiting class missed significant practices or games because of injuries.
The offensive line experienced depth problems following the spring semester. Elijah Tupai, who played in 36 games, starting 17, retired from football to help his family in Utah. Kingjames Taylor, who was competing for a starting tackle’s job in the spring, did not meet the eligibility requirement to play this season. Josh Hauani‘o accepted a medical retirement. Austin Webb did not play this season while recovering from a leg infection.
The defensive line also suffered losses, forcing Legi Suiaunoa, who was promoted from line coach to defensive coordinator in February, to scrap plans he crafted during the spring. Defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii, who was suspended for the 2016 season, did not meet the pre-established requirements to be considered for reinstatement. Defensive tackle Ka‘aumoana Gifford and defensive end Jamie Tago were suspended for the 2017 season for violating school rules. Kalepo Naotala, a promising freshman who joined in January, suffered a spinal injury during a diving accident in July.
This season, the short-handed defensive line had difficulty establishing a consistent pass rush. The line accounted for 9.5 of the Warriors’ 24 sacks. The Warriors were forced to blitz, a sack-or-miss strategy that left the second level vulnerable to slants and crossing routes. For the final four games, the Warriors switched from a four-man front to a 3-4 base to create more blitzing paths.
“We get in situations (where) we need a key stop, (and) we couldn’t do it,” Suiaunoa said. “We’ve had some plays that were good, but not good enough to win games.”
Suiaunoa said he will evaluate how to mend a defense in which opponents averaged 458.8 yards and 33.9 points per game and converted 49 percent on third down.
“Coaching wasn’t good, playing wasn’t good, execution wasn’t good, and you end up with a losing season,” Suiaunoa said. “Those are things we’ve got to get fixed, and we’ve got to get fixed fast.”
The Warriors will add two coaches — a replacement for Chris Naeole, who resigned as offensive line coach in October, and the NCAA’s newly allowed 10th full-time assistant. They also have to brace for poaching. None of Rolovich’s initial coordinators remain. In 2016, offensive coordinator Zak Hill departed for Boise State and special teams coordinator Jake Cookus left for Oregon State. In February, defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa joined Michigan’s staff. Soon after Suiaunoa was promoted, he received an offer to coach linebackers at California. He elected to stay at UH.
The coaching assignments also will have to be settled. Four weeks ago, Rolovich took over the play-calling, allowing offensive coordinator Brian Smith to work with the offensive linemen. Rolovich previously had shown a reluctance to be a full-time play-caller because of the head-coaching demands.
Rolovich said the immediate plans are to “evaluate the season” and to “get going on recruiting.” The Warriors are expected to sign about 10 players for the new early recruiting period beginning Dec. 20. Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, who led Saint Louis to the 2017 state championship, already has made an oral commitment to the Warriors.
Key injured players — slotback John Ursua and linebackers Malachi Mageo and Paul Scott — should be ready for spring practice in April. Tight end Metuisela ’Unga, who missed nine games because of a foot injury, appears to meet the criteria for a medical hardship that would allow him to return to UH in 2018.
The Warriors are awaiting a decision from linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who is weighing whether to return for his senior season or apply for the 2018 NFL Draft.
