Joy was tangible on the Aloha Stadium field as Hawaii at last ended its nine-game losing streak and went into the offseason a winner.
But in the moments after UH’s 28-26 victory over Louisiana Monroe on Saturday night and ensuing sendoff for the team’s seniors, there was perhaps more enthusiasm for what is to come. One by one, underclassmen embraced the fact that their next game will be coached by former UH quarterback and assistant Nick Rolovich.
Athletic director David Matlin announced Rolovich, currently Nevada’s offensive coordinator, in a press release sent out Friday. Rolovich still holds several passing records from his prolific 2001 season at UH.
“I think I remember watching him play quarterback here when I was in elementary (school) or something,” said junior receiver Makoa Camanse-Stevens, a Kailua native and Kamehameha alumnus. “So, it’s cool. I played quarterback my whole life, so I used to watch him and idolize him, come to the games and stuff. I’m very excited for him to come down and see what he’s got for us, and I’m ready to work.”
Others weren’t quite as familiar with Rolovich as the local product Camanse-Stevens, but bought into the enthusiasm of their teammates.
“I don’t personally really know anything about him, but everybody seems excited,” said running back Paul Harris, a junior who rushed for 166 yards before exiting the game with a blow to the head. “They know more than I do. So, all I can do is just go off of their energy. I’m pretty anxious to meet him and see what he can bring to the table.”
Rolovich is slated for an official press conference introduction on Monday. His Wolf Pack (6-6, 4-3 Mountain West) lost 31-14 at San Diego State on Saturday. Nevada beat Hawaii 30-20 on Oct. 24.
Receiver Marcus Kemp said, “I plan to be there for everything.”
Of course, with a new head coach, a new staff will be assembled, lending some uncertainty to the futures of interim head coach Chris Naeole and UH’s remaining assistants.
“My receivers coach, coach Luke Matthews, he’s been with me my entire college career. So I mean, him being here for my last year, my senior year, would be a blessing also,” said Kemp, a junior. “I hope, I know a lot of these (coaches), they don’t want to leave, so I hope some of them get a chance to stay.”
Naeole, who went 1-3 with his interim tag, didn’t seem overly concerned.
“You know what, I’m not worried about it. It is what it is. It’s part of this job,” Naeole said. “I’m just looking forward to the luau tomorrow.”
Naeole said he’d seen Rolovich around the coaching circuit in recent years and would say hi, but not much more than that. He supported the decision to let the players (and public) know the next coach the day before the game.
“I think it’s a good thing,” he said. “I think the guys know in the direction that they’re going with Coach Rolo coming in. You know, I wish him nothing but the best. We got a win for these guys going to next year.”
Interim defensive coordinator Abraham Elimimian, considered by some a possible candidate to remain on staff, insisted on talking about the on-field finish to the season, and not about Rolovich, his teammate during the 9-3 season of 2001.
“I want to give thanks to the kids, because they fought through adversity all year and they never gave up,” Elimimian said. “So, biggest thing is we’re all Hawaii Warriors at the end of the day. This is for them. This is for the seniors.”
Elimimian couldn’t help but smile.
