Browns hire mentor to Mariota, Manziel

CLEVELAND » Kevin O’Connell got Johnny Manziel ready for last year’s NFL draft. The Browns will count on him to help make Manziel — or some other quarterback — a quality starter.

Cleveland hired O’Connell as its quarterbacks coach on Tuesday, officially announcing an important addition to coach Mike Pettine’s staff.

O’Connell, who played briefly in the league after being drafted out of San Diego State, not only worked with Manziel last year but recently helped Oregon star Marcus Mariota and Baylor’s Bryce Petty, two quarterbacks the Browns could select this year.

The 29-year-old O’Connell previously worked with Pettine and new Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo in New York when he played for the Jets. He replaces Dowell Loggains, who was not retained following last season.

“Kevin has already shown a knack for individual teaching at a high level,” Pettine said.

Over the past month, O’Connell has been working out Petty and Mariota, the reigning Heisman winner regarded along with Florida State’s Jameis Winston as the top two QBs in this year’s class.

“I feel like we were able to accomplish a lot and he’s going to be in a really good situation moving forward wherever that may be,” O’Connell said of Mariota. “I really was thankful to the organization for allowing me to do that. I made a commitment to Marcus and it wouldn’t have felt right not following through with him knowing that he trusted me for this important time preparing to start his NFL career.”

UHH golfers finish 14th in Texas

The University of Hawaii Hilo finished 14th at the Lady Rattler Invitational held at The Dominion Country Club in San Antonio, Texas.

Shannon Abarra led the Vulcans, shooting 166 to tie for 27th place. Andi Igawa followed with a 168, tying for 39th and Erin Costes shot a 182 to finish 75th.

The Vulcans shot a 701 total.

HPU men fall short at Dixie State

Justin Long had 18 points, including three 3-pointers, and Luke Hager added 10 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort as the Hawaii Pacific men’s basketball team fell 57-50 to Dixie State at St. George, Utah, on Monday.

The Sharks (14-10 overall, 9-9 in the PacWest) fell behind early, allowing an 18-2 run to start off the first half but rallied back to trail by one point at halftime. HPU came within two points in the final six minutes but was unable to push through against the Red Storm (18-6, 5-3).

Huerta lifts HPU women to victory

Kylie Huerta had 26 points, nine assists and five rebounds to lift the Hawaii Pacific women’s basketball team to a 96-65 victory at Dixie State on Monday.

Veanne Navarro added 20, finishing 7-for-11 from the field for the Sharks (21-4 overall, 16-2 in the PacWest). The Red Storm are 8-16, 7-11.