LAS VEGAS >> When it came to bragging rights, University of Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich was left out.
At Wednesday’s Mountain West Conference’s Media Summit, football coaches spoke of new stadiums, facilities and wish-fulfilling plans. UH, meanwhile, plays its home games in middle-aged Aloha Stadium that has exceeded its use-by date. Rolovich’s message to those envious of other programs: appreciate what you have.
“I know we don’t have everything that other schools have,” Rolovich said. “We’ve never had, and we probably never will. We are Hawaii. This is who we are. Accept it, play football, and let’s move on.”
Rolovich said he tries to promote, “The ability to play D-I football on scholarship in Hawaii.”
“You could go over to California,” Rolovich said. “Do you know how many junior-college guys are sleeping in cars or on couches just to get an opportunity? When we get entitled … it’s not important to the game of football. … It’s like myself. I can’t whine about what I don’t get or have. I get to coach football in Hawaii.”
Like many, Rolovich favors a new stadium, which would improve the game-day experience for fans.
“You’ve got people who pay hard-earned money to give up a lot of their Saturday, and they want to feel they get something out of it,” Rolovich said. “A lot of that is on our shoulders on how we play. I don’t think there’s a battle in wanting a new stadium. We’ve tried a lot of things to keep (Aloha Stadium) going. But if the numbers work out, that doesn’t make sense to keep putting money into it when you can go this way and get a new (stadium). We’re getting closer to that.”
Rolovich added: “I think there have been a lot of studies since 2004, articles. There’s been stuff going through the Legislature. It’s been a topic for a long time. I think it’s time we come together and make a decision, and I think we will.”
For now, Rolovich is focused on Friday’s first practice of training camp. Dru Brown, last year’s starting quarterback, has transferred to Oklahoma State. There are six quarterbacks in camp: Cole McDonald, Justin Uahinui, Kolney Cassel and freshmen Jeremy Moussa and Chevan Cordeiro. Larry Tuileta, a senior who is on football scholarship, is training with the U.S. men’s volleyball team and will miss most of training camp.
“It’s not a controversy, it’s a competition,” Rolovich said of the quarterback situation.
Rolovich said the most productive quarterback will start. “I don’t think that’s some magnificent statement,” he said.
The quarterbacks will be evaluated during scrimmage-like sessions, 7-on-7 drills, and route-running workouts.
“We’re going to do some things to get people reps,” Rolovich said. “At some point, we’re going to have to start narrowing down.”
Rolovich said there is no timetable for choosing a No. 1 quarterback. “If somebody wins it, somebody wins it,” Rolovich said. “Maybe we’ll have a game-time decision.”
The Warriors open against Colorado State on Aug. 25 at Fort Collins, Colo.
The NCAA’s new redshirt rule also might be beneficial. Players now are allowed to play up to four games in a season while maintaining their redshirt status. The four games can be spread throughout the season.
“Everybody’s in play,” Rolovich said, “and everybody’s in play longer.”
The new rule opens the way for Moussa or Cordeiro to play up to four games and still be eligible to redshirt, if needed.
“If you’re ready to go (in October), you’re ready to go,” Rolovich said. “You can play the last four games. There’s a lot of stratagem. It helps with injury prevention. If a guy gets hurt, maybe he’ll be out three weeks. You can play a guy if he’s second best and still redshirt him. There are countless scenarios.”
