These days, the Hawaii football team has little trouble finding volunteers for special teams.
“I think they bought in, especially when they see Marcus Kemp making plays in the NFL and Dejaun (Butler) getting on a couple NFL rosters because of his effort on special teams last year,” coach Nick Rolovich said of two former Rainbow Warriors. “If they’re going to play (professional football), they’re going to have to play special teams sometime.”
Rolovich has empowered special teams coordinator Mayur Chaudhari to request as much time as needed during UH practices. Rolovich also opened the roster to Chaudhari.
“As far as personnel, nobody’s off limits for special teams,” Rolovich said.
That was apparent in Saturday’s 41-18 victory over Western Carolina. Starting left wideout Keelan Ewaliko returned kickoffs and Dylan Collie, elevated to No. 1 slotback while John Ursua recovered from an ailment, was the punt returner. Defensive tackle Viane Moala rejected a kick, and defensive end Meffy Koloamatangi blocked two field-goal attempts, including one that starting free safety Trayvon Henderson parlayed into an 89-yard return for a touchdown.
“That’s the guys, man,” Chaudhari said. “We just train ’em. We train ’em, they believe in it, and they work hard. It’s the technique. It’s looking for stuff on film. That’s football. You want to use good players who can do that stuff.”
Chaudhari said he tries not to tax players. “I have to be smart with them in the reps,” Chaudhari said. “They know I care about them. They know I’m not going to sacrifice their ability to play offense or defense to play special teams.”
In seeking a special teams coordinator soon after being hired as head coach in November 2015, Rolovich remembered Chaudhari’s tireless work as a UH intern several years ago. “He was observed,” Rolovich said. “He’s very creative.”
Chaudhari said he learned teaching techniques from his father-in-law and former UH head coach Dick Tomey and Stanford special teams coordinator Peter Alamar.
“I’ve been really lucky,” Chaudhari said. “I didn’t play college football. I had to find any way to get on the field (as a coach), as well. In some ways, (special teams) was an opportunity for me, and I really enjoyed it. I get to teach every single player on the field something. It’s just football. The most basic fundamentals of football show up on special teams. Most of the coaches that I worked for are big fundamental football coaches. They’re really big on that. I get to use that on special teams.”