The University of Hawaii is the preseason pick of both the conference coaches and media to repeat as a Western Athletic Conference football champion this year and quarterback Bryant Moniz was named offensive player of the year.

The announcements were made in Las Vegas where the WAC is holding its annual football media preview. UH has won or shared the WAC football crown in 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2010.

It is the second time in UH’s 33-year WAC history that the Warriors have been named preseason favorites by both the coaches and players, matching 2007, UH’s Sugar Bowl season.

UH received five of the eight first-place votes of WAC coaches and 18 of the 41 media first-place votes.

Moniz topped media voting for preseason offensive player of the year and Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner was selected as the top defensive player. The coaches did not vote on individual honors.

Moniz led the nation in passing, total offense and touchdowns thrown last season as UH went 10-4 and 7-1 in the WAC. 

The 2011 season will be UH’s last in the WAC before joining the Mountain West Conference in 2012. 

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Coaches Poll

Rank Team (1st place votes) Points

1. Hawaii (5) 47

2. Fresno State (1) 41

3. Nevada (2) 40

4. Louisiana Tech 31

5. Utah State 22

6. Idaho 21

7. San Jose State 15

8. New Mexico State 7

Media Poll

Rank Team (1st place votes) Points

1. Hawai’i (18) 292

2. Fresno State (11) 284

3. Nevada (11) 264

4. Louisiana Tech 184

5. Utah State (1) 166

6. Idaho 141

7. San Jose State 85

8. New Mexico State 60