Receivers coach Andre Allen’s experience paid off for Hawaii this year

Every University of Hawaii football practice, receivers coach Andre Allen makes sure the slotbacks and wideouts know the details and nuances of each pass route.

But Allen’s own route to the Manoa campus was uncharted.

“My first time in Hawaii,” Allen said, “was when I got off the plane to start work.”

Allen was hired in January, accepting the coaching job without taking a kick-the-tires visit to Hawaii. “He took a leap of faith,” head coach Nick Rolovich said.

Allen’s hiring coincided with the Rainbow Warriors’ move from a hybrid offense to a scheme that largely employs run-and-shoot concepts. In spring training, Allen was without one starter who planned to transfer, two receivers who were granted medical retirements, and three wideouts who did not meet the eligibility requirements. The Warriors’ top receiver, slotback John Ursua, was recovering from a torn ACL and subsequent hamstring injury that made his availability iffy for the season opener.

None of those situations hindered the Warriors. Ursua has an NCAA-leading 16 touchdown receptions. Two first-year Warriors — slotback Cedric Byrd and right wideout JoJo Ward — have nine scoring catches each. The three have combined for 216 receptions — 71.3 percent of all UH completions — and 3,147 yards.

This week, FootballScoop named Allen as one of three finalists for receivers coach of the year. NCAA coaches nominate candidates. A panel of past winners will make the final choice.

“It’s exciting,” Allen said. “But it’s the kids. Their performance is what got my name in there in the first place.”

Rolovich was not surprised the receivers developed quickly under Allen, who coached the previous 26 years at City College of San Francisco.

In junior college, Allen noted, “The turnaround is every year. You’re losing half your guys. You’re always pretty much starting over.”

Rolovich, who started his college playing career at CCSF before transferring to UH, recalled the junior college life of no athletic scholarships or training tables. The currency is hope. “Their dream, as players, is to get to the next level,” Rolovich said. “You want to be around someone who can get you to that next level. (Allen has) proven that over two decades.”

Allen emphasizes an equal balance between football and studies.

“The transcript has to match the highlight film,” Allen said. “One can’t be better than the other or nothing happens, anyway.”

When a vacancy was created on the UH coaching staff, Rolovich thought of Allen, who had spent the past 13 seasons as CCSF’s offensive coordinator. The Rams ran their interpretation of the run-and-shoot. Rolovich was impressed with Allen’s knowledge, teaching skills and, most of all, “loyalty.”

Allen, who had received inquiries from colleges in the past, did not hesitate in accepting the UH job.

“It was a move I always wanted to make,” Allen said. “I told myself if I got the opportunity, it didn’t matter if it was in North Dakota in the snow, or the sun, or the heat.”

Allen said he was prepared to leave CCSF.

“I think I accomplished everything I needed to accomplish — a lot of championships, a lot of wins,” Allen said. “It was time for me to take another challenge in my life. And this opportunity came, and I was happy to get it. There was no hesitation at all. My wife was on board the whole time. She kind of knew the plan could happen.”