EL PASO, TEXAS » Hawaii assistant head coach Cal Lee has been notified he will not be retained on the football staff after his contract expires on March 31.
Visibly shaken while confirming the decision Friday, new UH head coach Norm Chow said it was "awful" to break the news to his childhood friend.
Lee and Chow grew up together in Palolo Valley. As a Punahou School senior, Chow worked for Lee’s mother at the school’s cafeteria.
"I’ve known him since we were this high," said Chow, waving his left hand at hip level. "Our families are close. My brothers grew up with his brothers. It’s very hard, but it’s a business."
Reached on his cell phone, Lee said, "I’m fine. I’ll be all right. I’ve been fired before — relieved, not retained, whatever you want to call it. Everything happens for a reason. I understand. A new coach wants to hire his own guys. That’s fine. Maybe this will lead to a new road."
Lee’s impending departure leaves three members from the Warriors’ 2011 staff — offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich, defensive line coach Tony Tuioti and director of personnel George Lumpkin.
Chow, who is coaching Utah’s offense in today’s Sun Bowl, will have telephone interviews with those three next week.
Earlier, Chow notified Rich Miano, Dave Aranda, Gordy Shaw and Brian Smith that they would not be retained.
This month, Lee completed his ninth season on the Warriors’ coaching staff after one of the most successful coaching careers in the history of Hawaii high school football.
In 21 years as Saint Louis School’s head coach, Lee was 241-32-5, winning 14 Oahu Prep Bowl titles and the inaugural state football championship. During one stretch, the Crusaders won 55 in a row.
At UH, Lee coached linebackers and then defensive ends. He held the title of defensive coordinator in 2008 and 2009, Greg McMackin’s first two seasons as UH head coach. The past two seasons, Lee was the assistant head coach.
Lee said he is not ready to retire from coaching, but said he will remain in Hawaii.
"I’ve had chances to go away," Lee said. "This is where I want to live."
