Chow time

Norm Chow is poised to become the next University of Hawaii head football coach — 16 years, two Heisman Trophy winners and two national titles after losing his first bid for the position.

A news conference is planned for later this week to introduce Chow, 65, offensive coordinator at the University of Utah, as the successor to Greg McMackin, who reached a "release agreement" on Dec. 5 after four seasons as head coach.

As Brigham Young University’s offensive coordinator in 1995, Chow was a finalist for the UH job that went to Fred vonAppen.

"There were some money issues that came into play," said Hugh Yoshida, who was UH athletic director at the time. "It wasn’t meant to be, I guess."

But now it is Chow’s time. An agreement is being finalized in which UH will pay Chow up to $800,000 per year for up to five years. He earns $275,000 a year at Utah. As UH’s head coach, McMackin earned an annual base salary of $1.15 million.

Chow told the Salt Lake Tribune Tuesday that nothing is finalized as he helps prepare the Utes for the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 against Georgia Tech.

"There are a lot of rumors and that kind of stuff, but we have to wait and see," Chow said.

He told the Utah newspaper he would like to coach in the Sun Bowl, as long as his potential hire in Hawaii isn’t a distraction. "It’s all about them," Chow said of the players. "If I am a distraction, I will leave immediately."

After 38 years in collegiate coaching, this will be Chow’s first head coaching job. In addition to working at BYU and Utah, Chow was offensive coordinator at North Carolina State, the University of Southern California, University of California-Los Angeles and with the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League.

He won a national championship with BYU (1984) and two with USC (2003 and 2004).

He also coached Heisman Trophy winners Ty Detmer (BYU, 1990), Carson Palmer (USC, 2002) and Matt Leinart (USC, 2004).

Noted for the West Coast offense, a controlled-passing attack popularized by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s and 1990s, Chow coached future All-Pro quarterbacks Steve Young, Jim McMahon and Philip Rivers during their college years.

Chow was among more than 40 applicants for the UH job. In addition to a glowing resume, his references included McMahon, Rivers, Leinart, running back Reggie Bush and former NFL coaches Jon Gruden and Mike Holmgren.

But Chow was not considered a favorite, according to people familiar with the situation, despite advancing into the "final round." He was raised in Hawaii and graduated from Punahou School but did not coach or play at UH.

The other finalists were Texas assistant head coach Duane Akina, Oregon State defensive coordinator Mark Banker, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baylor associate head coach Brian Norwood.

The six-member search/ advisory committee interviewed each of the finalists over the weekend. Because the Jaguars are in season, Koetter’s interview was through Skype. The others met with the committee for 90 minutes each in a conference room at the First Hawaiian Center.

On Sunday afternoon the committee took a straw poll. According to a source, Koetter, Norwood and Chow received the most support.

The committee then forwarded its report to athletic director Jim Donovan, who attended parts of each interview.

University leaders met with Donovan on Monday night, according to people familiar with the situation. The conversation focused on Chow and Norwood. The UH leaders then authorized Donovan to negotiate with Chow.

That night, Chow was offered the job pending the outcome of negotiations between Donovan and Carter Chow, who serves as his father’s representative.

"I’m excited, man," UH quarterback David Graves said. "Steve Young was big when I was growing up. I’m a 49er fan, born and raised. Watching Steve Young was big time in my family. That was my family’s team. I can’t wait to run that offense."

Yoshida was playing golf when he heard the news. Chow succeeded Yoshida as Waialua High School’s football coach after Yoshida accepted a coaching job at Leilehua High. In 1995 they sat across the bargaining table from each other.

"I’m sure the committee did a thorough job," Yoshida said. "I think he’s proven himself over time. He’s been around. I’m happy for him. It’s his time."

Profile: Norm Chow

» Birth date: May 3, 1946

» Raised: Palolo Valley

» Family: Wife Diane; sons Carter, Cameron, Chandler; daughter Maile; five grandchildren

» Education: Punahou School; University of Utah (bachelor’s in physical education, master’s in special education); Brigham Young University (doctorate in educational psychology)

» Playing career: Offensive guard at Utah (1965-67)

» Coaching experience: Utah, offensive coordinator, 2011; University of California, Los Angeles, offensive coordinator, 2008-2010; Tennessee Titans, offensive coordinator, 2005-2007; University of Southern California, offensive coordinator, 2001-2004; North Carolina State, offensive coordinator, 2000; BYU, offensive coordinator, assistant head coach, assistant coach, 1975-1999

» National titles: BYU 1984; USC 2003, 2004

» Heisman Trophy winners: Ty Detmer (1990), Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004)

Hawaii News Now video: Norm Chow approved as UH football head coach