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Former University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan was ready for the rest of his life.
Last week he packed some belongings, left his apartment in Southern California and moved to Hawaii.
He asked a real estate agent to find a house on the Windward side, preferably in Kahaluu.
During the house hunting, Brennan was staying with former Warriors teammate Gerald Welch and his family on the North Shore.
He had a job interview for a lucrative position in a company that specializes in medical technology.
Kaiser High School head football coach Rich Miano also asked Brennan to join his coaching staff. Miano was UH’s associate head coach when he recruited Brennan to the Warriors in 2005.
"He needs to be around young people," Miano said Thursday. "He needs to be around football."
While Brennan had harbored hope of returning to football, he appeared to be at peace after being released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League last month. He had said he would continue to train, but he also wanted to coach youth-league teams, perhaps even start a football clinic.
He had spent little of the money he earned in two years with the Washington Redskins, who had made Brennan their sixth-round selection in the 2008 National Football League draft. He also received a seven-figure insurance settlement when an injury hurt his draft prospects. The NFL gave him a late first-round grade for the 2007 draft. Instead, he opted to return to the Warriors for his senior year.
Brennan had financial security, and back in Hawaii he had rejoined his friendship circle.
"He always talked about moving back here," said Nate Ilaoa, who was Brennan’s roommate on UH football trips. "It wasn’t a surprise when he moved back here."
Ilaoa, former UH defensive tackle Mike Lafaele and Brennan met for lunch Tuesday. It was 2007 all over again.
"We talked about the same things we talked about in college," Ilaoa said.
Ilaoa expressed surprise and sadness after learning Brennan was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of drunken driving and promotion of a dangerous drug.
Brennan was released Thursday afternoon, when he was met by his attorney, Michael Greene, and family friend Chandra Kinilau.
In 2007, the height of Colt Mania, UH assigned Kinilau to handle Brennan’s appearances.
"My whole family is close to Colt and his family," said Kinilau, who was invited to attend the 2007 Heisman Trophy show, in which Brennan finished third.
"He’s a good person," Kinilau said. "He’s had some rough times. He’ll get by this one and overcome it."
Miano said, "What he’s done for the state of Hawaii and the University of Hawaii, the only debt we can try to repay is to help him through these tough times."
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