Hawaii head coach Norm Chow said he will waste little time in filling the coaching vacancy created after Tommy Lee’s retirement.
Lee, 71, served as the Warriors’ offensive coordinator and receivers coach this past year.
UH’s hiring rules require that a position must be advertised for at least 10 days. Chow said he already has received inquiries.
Chow said the new coach will have to assist in writing "scripts" — game plans — for the offense. Chow calls the Warriors’ offensive plays. The new coach also will work in the coaches’ booth during games, relaying defensive formations to Chow on the sideline.
Former UH receivers Ashley Lelie and Craig Stutzmann are expected to be considered as candidates. Lelie, who was selected 19th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, has served as a student manager for the Warriors the past three years.
Stutzmann is an assistant coach at Weber State. His younger brother, Billy Ray Stutzmann, is a UH receiver.
Lee retired as Montana Western’s head coach in 2007. He served as a consultant at Montana in 2011. Last year, he was coaxed into joining Chow’s staff.
"I thought the staff was great," Lee said. "I enjoyed working with Norm."
Lee said his decision to retire was based largely on a wish to spend more time with his children and grand-children on the mainland.
Lee’s grandson, Ikaika Hall, plays football for his high school team in San Francisco.
"Two years ago, I went to see two or three of his games," Lee said. "This year, he’s a junior, and I didn’t get a chance to see him play. I missed a lot of my kids’ games when they were growing up. I want to see my grandson’s games."
Lee and his wife will spend this week with their three granddaughters in Utah. "We’re going to have another Christmas for them," Lee said.
He said he still owns a house in Dillon, Mont.
Lee added: "I enjoyed everything. There is nothing but good memories."