In Chinese lore, there is a belief that legendary poet Hanshan’s best works were lost to nature.
The analogy serves as inspiration and motivation for Nick Rolovich, who prepares for his first spring training as the University of Hawaii’s head football coach. The Warriors meet on Monday, with the first of 15 spring practices on Tuesday morning.
“The story I was told was he would write the most beautiful poems in the dirt, and the wind would blow, and they would go away, and nobody would be able to read them,” Rolovich said. “But he didn’t write for other people. He enjoyed the process of writing the poems. We need to enjoy the process of building this (football program). We can’t look at just the end goals. We can have goals, but every day is a process we need to endure and enjoy.”
“If this team just plays for each other for however many plays it takes every Saturday in the fall, I think they’ll make the state and the university proud, and they’ll be amazed at what they can accomplish.” – Nick Rolovich, UH football coach
Since being hired in December, Rolovich’s process has involved binge-watching videos of the past four seasons that amassed 10 victories in 50 games; recruiting; and building — and rebuilding — a coaching staff. Two of his coordinators — Zac Hill on offense and Jake Cookus on special teams — departed for coaching jobs at Boise State and Oregon State, respectively.
Rolovich and assistant coaches Brian Smith and Craig Stutzmann — former UH teammates in the early 2000s — are expected to develop a hybrid offense using run-and-shoot and read-option concepts. Smith has been designated coordinator of the run game, Stutzmann as the pass-game choreographer. One of the three will call plays during the game.
Rolovich initially was against being a play-caller but “I like where all our roots are right now. The foundation of the offense is very comfortable for all three of us. That’s a good thing.”
On defense, the Warriors will switch from a 3-4 base to a 4-3. But defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa is expected to utilize odd-man fronts and nickel schemes.
“Lemp has a lot of ability to get into different personnel groups using the guys he has,” Rolovich said.
In the past, UH coaches have scripted every segment of every spring practice. Rolovich and Lempa have outlines for each practice, but the details will be open-ended.
“I don’t care if we get one defense in and five offensive plays, we need to be good at something at the end of the spring,” Rolovich said. “We need to know how to line up and execute something.”
This offseason, the Warriors have implemented several team-bonding activities.
“If this team just plays for each other for however many plays it takes every Saturday in the fall, I think they’ll make the state and the university proud, and they’ll be amazed at what they can accomplish,” Rolovich said.
Here’s a look at each position:
Quarterbacks
> Candidates: Beau Reilly, Ikaika Woolsey, Aaron Zwahlen.
> Spring work: In the aftermath of the 2010 season, the UH coaches crunched the numbers, and decided to add read-option concepts to the run-and-shoot offense. “We weren’t being as explosive in the pass game,” said Rolovich, who was UH’s offensive coordinator at the time. “I thought (the read option) was the next phase we would embark on.” They signed Woolsey, who had the mixed skills as a passer and dodger. Woolsey was on the lay-away plan, grayshirting during the 2011 season. By the time he enrolled at UH, a new coaching staff was in place. Now Woolsey, a sixth-year senior, gets to play for the coach who recruited him and run a hybrid offense designed with him in mind. “Ikaika has a really good arm, and he can make all the throws,” Rolovich noted. But this will be Woolsey’s third offensive system. “He needs to feel comfortable with what we’re doing, and (then) he can settle in on his personality and the way he plays quarterback,” Rolovich said. No decision on a starter has been made, opening the competition to Reilly and Zwahlen. Freshman Cole McDonald joins in June. There’s a possibility of adding a post-spring recruit.
Running backs
> Candidates: Kaiwi Chung, Melvin Davis, Paul Harris, Steven Lakalaka, Diocemy Saint Juste, Ryan Tuiasoa.
> Spring work: The position is shaping up with players of different shapes and sizes. Harris, whose light-cleated style evokes memories of Gary Allen, was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2015. Lakalaka is a jump-cutter who also is an effective blocker. Davis, a tough-yardage back, will be held out of contact drills while recovering from a shoulder injury. Saint Juste has been impressive in the offseason conditioning program. He redshirted last year after suffering a hamstring injury during a preseason scrimmage. “I have a hunch Diocemy could have a pretty good year,” Rolovich said. There is a possibility of using a rotation at the lone back position to keep players fresh. But there’s one requirement: “If you don’t block, you don’t play,” Rolovich said.
Receivers
> Candidates: Frank Abreu, Ammon Barker, Isaiah Bernard, Makoa Camanse-Stevens, Dylan Collie, Keelan Ewaliko, Marcus Kemp, Kalei Letoto, Devan Stubblefield, John Ursua.
> Spring work: For labeling purposes, the Warriors will go with X (left side), Y (slot) and Z (right) positions, although those are just starting points. The wideouts will get reps on both sides this spring. Stubblefield and Camanse-Stevens will practice as slots and wideouts. While Bernard and Ewaliko have the best straight-ahead speed, 6-4 Kemp creates mismatches against plodding linebackers and shorter safeties on slants and crossing routes. Collie, a precise route-runner, and Ursua are prototypical slot receivers. Ursua, who redshirted last year after serving a church mission, wowed coaches with his quickness and elusiveness against the No. 1 defense in practices.
Tight ends
> Candidates: Brennen Brooks, Davasyia Hagger, Sione Kauhi, Dakota Torres, Metuisela Unga.
> Spring work: Unga has established permanent residency on offense, squashing speculation about a move to defensive end. Unga is an imposing target on medium routes; the hope is that he can be impactful as a perimeter blocker. Torres was promoted to starter because of his H-back qualities as a blocker (he often aligned as an off-set fullback) and receiver (on pick-and-roll routes). But Torres will be limited in spring drills and Hagger won’t practice at all while they rehab injuries.
Offensive linemen
> Candidates: Dejon Allen, Arona Amosa, Luke Clements, Asotui Eli, JR Hensley, RJ Hollis, Leo Koloamatangi, Eperone Moananu, Matt Norman, Elijah Tupai, John Wa‘a, Austin Webb.
> Spring work: The Warriors’ wish is that last year’s redshirts — Clements, Norman and Webb — will challenge for the left tackle’s job vacated with Ben Clarke’s graduation. Koloamatangi, a fifth-year senior, also can play the blind side, although he appears to be a better fit at guard. Right guard Dejon Allen, regarded as the Warriors’ top lineman, also will get a look at left tackle. “He’s a special athlete,” Rolovich said of Allen. “He’s a great athlete for his size.” Moananu, who moved to defense as an injury replacement in the middle of last season, is back on offense. Tupai is expected to miss spring drills while recovering from an injury.
Defensive linemen
> Ends: Jeremy Castro, Tevarua Eledridge, Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea, Meffy Koloamatangi, David Manoa, Manly “Pumba” Williams,
Tackles: Samiuela Akoteu, Zeno Choi, Penitito Faalologo, Ka‘aumoana Gifford, Jeremy McClam, Kory Rasmussen, Kennedy Tulimasealii.
> Spring work: Kevin Lempa returns as defensive coordinator, re-installing the 4-3 base he ran 13 years ago. The move to the even-man front liberates Tulimasealii to do what he does best: Create chaos from the 3-technique (opposite the B gap between the guard and tackle). Last season, Tulimasealii broke through double teams as if he were a red-rover player nobody wanted to call over. Tulimasealii also can play end in a three-man front and nose tackle in nickel packages. Nose tackle Rasmussen is recovering from knee surgery but should be fully healed for the start of training camp. Akoteu, who spent his first UH season in a walking boot, is healthy and a candidate at nose tackle. Defensive end Kema-Kaleiwahea has emerged as a leader while balancing school, family (he and his wife adopted two boys) and coordinating team barbecues. Williams, who played safety at Farrington, moved to linebacker last year and now to end.
Linebackers
> Candidates: Noah Borden, Max Broman, Rashaan Falemalu, Dayton Furuta, Jerrol Garcia-Williams, Dalton Gouveia, Solomon Matautia, Dany Mulanga, Jahlani Tavai, Tumua Tuinei, Russell Williams.
> Spring work: Last year, Tavai seized the hybrid position of rush end/outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. This spring, Tavai has accepted the jobs of middle linebacker and play-caller. “He’s a guy people will remember around here just because of who he is and his great leadership qualities,” Rolovich said of Tavai. “He’s very smart. Football is important to him. We wanted to have him out there as a communicator, which he does on defense.” Garcia-Williams, who has been troubled with injuries in past seasons, has moved to the weak side, a launching point that should create more pass-rushing opportunities. Mulanga, who was in the mix at safety last year, has moved to strong-side linebacker. Keep an eye on Falemalu, who is projected to have a significant role. He can play all three linebacker positions. “Rashaan has changed his ways, and this could be the beginning of a success story,” Rolovich said.
Defensive backs
> Corners: Dejaun Butler, Rojesterman Farris, Cameron Hayes, Preston Kalai, Jamal Mayo, Jalen Rogers.
> Safeties: Austin Borengasser, Trayvon Henderson, Daniel Lewis, Damien Packer.
> Spring work: Corner depth is a concern with the departures of Ne’Quan Phillips, who graduated, and Nick Nelson, who is seeking to transfer. Mayo and Rogers have the most experience at corner. Butler is an option at corner, as well as safety, where he practiced last year. Farris made two traveling rosters, but did not play, preserving his redshirt season. Lewis and Packer will get extensive reps at safety this spring. Trayvon Henderson, who started his first two UH seasons before last year’s medical redshirt, won’t be fully healed until training camp. Rolovich predicts the freshmen arriving this summer will be contributors this season. “Somebody who (isn’t old enough to) drink beer is going to be playing in our secondary, probably more than one,” Rolovich said.
Specialists
> Kicker: Rigo Sanchez.
> Punters: Sanchez, Alex Trifonovitch.
> Long-snappers: Noah Borden, Brodie Nakama.
> Spring work: Sanchez’s heavy workload — punting, kickoffs, point-scoring kicks — could be eased with Trifonovitch’s development. John Ursua is going to get the first shot at kickoff and punt returns.
