Luke Matthews, who coached Hawaii receivers as a graduate assistant last season, is expected to be promoted to full-time assistant.

UH officials declined to comment until the hiring process is completed, but an announcement is expected this week.

"He’s probably one of the best coaches I’ve ever had," said Marcus Kemp, a second-year wideout.

Wideout Vasquez Haynes said: "I respect him as a coach, and I like him as a coach and person."

Matthews joined the Rainbow Warriors in June 2013 after completing his playing career at Utah. Matthews was a four-year starter for the Utes, playing in 50 of 51 games as a wideout. He also was selected to his conference’s all-academic team four times. He earned a bachelor’s degree in May 2012.

In 2013, the Warriors averaged 12.22 yards per catch, their highest average since 2010 (14.01 yards), and had 31 scoring receptions, the second-most for a UH team in the past six seasons. They also had 43 "big plays" — receptions covering 25 yards or more — the second-most in the past six seasons. Their average of 3.58 big plays per game is slightly better than the 3.54 the team had in 2007, the year the Warriors played in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.

"He’s helped all of us," Kemp said of Matthews, 24. "I give him credit for most of the success I’ve had here. He just finished (his) college (playing career) before he got here, so he understands what we’re going through."

Matthews often joins the receivers in post-practice sprints.

"He takes the extra steps to show he’s with us," Haynes said. "He puts us in the right direction."

Haynes, who transferred to UH in July 2013, was admittedly "hesitant" initially.

"I never had a young coach like that," he said. "Over the days, over the months, I was willing to learn, and he showed me a lot. I have much respect for him. He’s done a great job. He relates to us."

Kemp said: "He demands the respect of a coach, and we give it to him because we understand he has the skills to coach, and he can help us a lot."

When Matthews is approved, he will continue to coach receivers.