Norm Chow owns a home in Southern California and once held the nickname "Hollywood," but don’t expect a big pregame production when he makes his debut as Hawaii’s head football coach this Saturday.
"I’ve always thought pregame talks were the most exaggerated talks in the world," said Chow, whose Warriors open against top-ranked Southern California in a nationally televised game. "If they’re not ready by then, they probably won’t be. … (Former Brigham Young coach) LaVell Edwards‘ big pre-game talk was: ‘Hey, anybody got to go to the restroom?’ "
Chow said the Warriors will not have a walk-through in the Los Angeles Coliseum. Instead, the walk-through will be held at a high school field on Friday morning.
"Even as an assistant, I’ve never believed in going (to an opposing team’s stadium) the Friday before," Chow said. "What are you going to see? An empty stadium? … When I was (an assistant) at UCLA, we played a team, and after the game was over, the coach … said he knew they were in trouble ’cause they wouldn’t put their cameras down. Hopefully, our guys won’t take their cameras to the Coliseum."
Saturday’s game is being announced as a sellout. With a seating capacity of 93,000, this will be the largest crowd for a UH game in the program’s history.
"You just hope they’re not in awe of what’s about to take place," Chow said.
Chow said his players are aware of USC’s talent, tradition and both fan and financial support.
"They understand," Chow said. "They read the papers. They know. You don’t fool kids. You fool a lot of people, (but) I don’t think you ever fool the players."
Chow praised USC as a "program that everyone should try to emulate."
Chow coached at USC for four years, helping develop three Heisman Trophy winners and earning a national title. Chow said the Trojans are known for having talent, innovative schemes and a good work ethic.
"They know how to play," Chow said. "They’re taught that. It’s the culture that’s developed there. Hopefully, it’s the culture we’ll have here someday."
The Warriors will enter as more than five-touchdown underdogs.
"The ball is oblong," Chow said. "It’s a funny-shaped ball. It bounces weird ways."
Chow added: "We told our guys: ‘You can’t win the game after the first (quarter). You can’t win the game after the second. You can’t win the game after the third. You can only win after the fourth quarter. We’re going to fight them until the end. If we do that, we’re going to accept whatever consequences come up after that. … Our guys are anxious. They’re ready to go. They’re tired of hitting one another. It’s time we hit somebody else."
Warriors can rest easy with researcher’s advice
If the Warriors are sleepers this season, they can thank a Stanford researcher.
Cheri Mah, a researcher at the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Laboratory, has been working with the Warriors on favorable sleep routines during road trips.
"She’s been giving us notes to follow," Chow said.
Mah’s advice is expected to be helpful in determining the proper amount of rest needed while adjusting to the time change and coping with jet lag. The Warriors arrive in Los Angeles on Thursday night.
