Chow will leave job security as someone else’s decision

University of Hawaii coach Norm Chow said he is focused on Saturday’s game against Utah State and not on his job security.

Following a 26-18 loss to Nevada this past weekend, the Warriors fell to 2-6 overall and 1-2 in the Mountain West Conference with five games remaining in the regular season. Chow is in the third year of a five-year contract that pays $550,000 annually.

Chow spent Sunday working on the game plan against Utah State. As for his job status after this season, Chow said, "I have no control over that either. I’ll never quit. I’m not a quitter. If they decide they want to do something, go in a different direction, that’s totally up to them. That never bothered me."

Chow added: "You can’t stay in this profession if you worry about that. I worry about these young people, that’s all."

Chow maintained he is unaware about newspaper columns speculating on his future.

"I don’t read the newspapers," Chow said. "I don’t know all that."

But Chow, who has coached college football for more than 40 years, acknowledged such topics are "normal when you’re not winning."

He also reaffirmed his support of his assistant coaches, graduate assistants and interns. He said he wanted to make "sure these coaches know how much they’re appreciated because they do all the work."

Chow said the Warriors played well in the first half in constructing a 10-6 lead against Nevada.

"Whatever happened in that second half, I’ve never been around a ballgame that was 25 to 5," Chow said of the Wolf Pack’s nearly 20-minute advantage in possession time after the intermission. "When you don’t have the ball, it’s tough to score. I still love the effort of our guys. We know what we have to do. We’re going to be OK."

Chow said Ikaika Woolsey will remain as the No. 1 quarterback. Chow said Beau Reilly, a 22-year-old freshman, is available as the backup quarterback.

"If we need him," Chow said of Reilly, "we need him. He knows that."

Leo Koloamatangi is expected to retain the left guard’s job. Kody Afusia was at left guard while recovering from a hand injury. Now fully healed, Afusia is back at center. Koloamatangi, who was recruited as a tackle, started at left guard against Nevada.

Chow said Scott Harding will be used mostly on special teams while recovering from a variety of ailments. Harding is the No. 1 punter, punt returner and slotback.

"He’s such a valuable guy, we have to be smart in how we use him," Chow said of Harding. "He’s a real leader. We need him on special teams, especially his punting."

Chow said it appears the players might be "pressing a little bit."

"I try to tell them to relax and have some fun with it," Chow said.

"Everybody likes to win. They get disappointed. Young men are resilient. I’ve said it all along. We’ll be fine."