University of Hawaii Athletic Director David Matlin made a bold statement in hiring Nick Rolovich, 36, as the new head coach for UH Warrior football. No doubt, it’s a risky move to hand the reins to a capable assistant coach and former standout UH quarterback in his first gig as a head coach.
Ultimately, it’s a shot in the arm that the UH football program desperately needs. The infusion of a younger, relatable coach with deep-seated roots in Warrior football could be the catalyst that brings fans back to Aloha Stadium. Rolovich inherits a program that recorded its fifth losing season, although it ended 2015 on a high note Saturday by winning 28-26 over the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.
Rolovich takes over just a month after Matlin fired Norm Chow, who led the team to four of the five losing seasons. Rolovich, in his debut news conference Monday, came across as a seasoned veteran having a relaxed conversation with peers, and offered a glimpse of savvy communication skills. His humility resonated as he thanked everyone including his old teammates and coaches, even Chow and fellow job finalist June Jones. He wants his players to experience the crowd’s energy at Aloha Stadium: “Is that shaking? What is that sound? That’s Aloha Stadium moving.”
Fans can hope for miracles, but realistically, Year One will focus on rebuilding a hobbled program. Yes, buy your season tickets, plan your tailgate parties and fill seats at Aloha Stadium. But expectations must be realistic — give Rolovich a chance to adjust and build his own team and brand of football.
The new coach still holds more than a half-dozen UH records from his time as quarterback. He was UH’s offensive coach from 2008-2011, and for the past four years, has been offensive coordinator for the University of Nevada. Former teammates have already praised the selection of Rolovich, citing his work ethic and leadership abilities. At this stage, it’s not hard to support him, an alum whose dream has always been to coach football and who no doubt holds a deep affinity for Hawaii and his alma mater. “In my heart, I never left,” Rolovich said.
In a state where UH football reigns, though, the pressure is on Matlin and Rolovich to bring back the days when Saturday nights revolved around the foot-stomping and cheering at Aloha Stadium. The football team anchors UH athletics, underscoring the need to right the ship. In his short eight months as UH athletic director, Matlin has been decisive and clear-visioned in his key hires to reshape the program’s future rather than try to relive the past.
Given the austere finances of UH athletics, hiring Rolovich also was fiscally responsible. Rolovich agreed to a four-year contract that will pay him a base salary of $400,008 in each of the first two years and $425,004 thereafter with bonus provisions. Chow had earned $550,000 a year; former coach Greg McMackin received a whopping $1 million-plus yearly.
Matlin is keeping within UH’s means even as he cultivates talent — hiring eager, up-and-coming talent with strong Hawaii ties. Rolovich is his second hire after bringing in men’s basketball coach Eran Ganot — and it’s working so far, with Ganot’s team now 4-1.
The football team will get a fresh start under a new coach in foreign territory — literally and figuratively — come late August when the Rainbow Warriors open their 2016 season against the University of California, Berkeley, in Sydney, Australia.
It’s a new day for Warrior football under Rolovich, who used a “Lion King” metaphor to explain how he hopes to rebuild the struggling program. “We were great once. We can be great again,” he said, noting “it’s going to take all of us.” Indeed, at this start of a new UH football era, Rolovich deserves the support of not only his players and staff, but fans, boosters and the university.
