LAS VEGAS >> Elvis has entered the building.

In predictably unpredictable fashion, Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich brought an Elvis Presley impersonator to meet and greet reporters and sportscasters at the Mountain West Conference’s Media Summit.

Rolovich and Paul Casey wore matching aviator-styled sunglasses, sang duet on “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” and uttered “thank you very much” with lip curls. Casey was adorned in a sequined outfit patterned after the one Elvis wore during his 1973 concert in Hawaii.

“That was a typical Rolo move,” said middle linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who was representing the Rainbow Warriors.

The usually mundane event used to feature the league coaches politely reciting their teams’ prospects during day-long speeches and interviews. But Rolovich, who is in his second year as UH head football coach, has spiced the activities. Last year, Rolovich challenged each coach to participate in a gift-exchange program. San Diego State coach Rocky Long, who did not contribute last year, this time ordered Ballast Point beer. There was a 12-pack awaiting each coach checking into his hotel room.

“Rocky’s the winner,” Rolovich declared.

Long accepted the honor, noting, “Nick Rolovich makes it fun.”

It was no surprise when Rolovich and Casey, dressed as Elvis, walked into the lobby of the conference area. Elvis was not Rolovich’s first choice. Rolovich wanted to enter with a pygmy marmoset on his shoulder. But it would have cost $2,500, not including insurance and other fees, to rent the primate. Rolovich also considered bringing a Mike Tyson lookalike. After debating other options, Rolovich selected Casey, who has worked as an Elvis impersonator across the country.

“I love Rolo’s sincerity, and he has a lot of love for Hawaii,” Casey said. “I’m a big sports fan. I’ve been to Hawaii many times. I actually got married at the Hilton (Hawaiian Village).”

Coach in costumes

Rolovich has dressed as the Monopoly game’s Rich Uncle Pennybags at the Warriors’ spring game, adorned in full camouflage to sell Kids Day newspapers on South King Street, and worn a hunting hat to track Pokemon with fans on the Manoa campus. “Nothing he does surprises me,” San Jose State coach Brent Brennan said.

Rolovich and Brennan have been friends for several years. “My wife recruited Rolo to bamboozle me for a surprise 40th birthday party four years ago,” Brennan said.

Rolovich, who was Nevada’s offensive coordinator at the time, convinced Brennan to help cook pork shoulders on the pretense of feeding the Wolf Pack’s offensive players. Brennan, who was coaching at Oregon State at the time, was in Reno visiting his ailing father.

“We were cooking at my parents’ house,” Brennan recalled. “The next thing I know, 50 people were there, and Rolo’s like, ‘Gotcha!’ He tricked me. We cooked 10 pork shoulders because he told me we were cooking for his team. Rolo and my wife were laughing. He tricked me into cooking for my own birthday party. He pulled it off flawlessly.”

Nevada offensive lineman Austin Corbett said Rolovich has not mellowed through the years.

“He can flip the switch,” Corbett said. “He’s goofing around at practice, but when he’s serious and he’s starting to coach you, you can feel it. You’re able to tune in and listen even though he may be dressed in a weird costume.”

Rolovich admittedly enjoys antics. But he also made players earn single-digit-jersey numbers this spring, and parted ways with players who failed to adhere to team rules.

“I like to believe people have goodness in them,” Rolovich said. “I believe in second chances. And maybe after a few years and it backfires, I might change. I just know I needed a second chance or I wouldn’t be here. I know players who have had great careers because of second chances. I know not everyone is dealt the same hand. I’m OK if they’re sincere in wanting a second chance. But if (problems) go too long or too far, you have to be able to cut them off.”

Keeping the standard

Tavai said Rolovich has created a standard. “We can’t accept anything less than our standard,” Tavai said. “If we let certain things go by, then our standard is: We get away with things. We just have to live by the standard.”

Quarterback Dru Brown said: “The thing I’m impressed with is how he can do all that but continue to have respect from everyone. He wants to win. That’s something you want to play for regardless of whether he’s hanging out with Elvis or dressing in (military) boots during fall camp.”

The Warriors open training camp today, with the first practice on Thursday.

“It’s a matter of: What’s the next crazy thing he’ll do?” Tavai said. “We’ll see what he does the first day of camp. I’m expecting something wild.”