Price was not right

The University of Hawaii football team opened training camp on Friday by parting ways with offensive coordinator Aaron Price.

UH confirmed Price’s departure in a news release distributed halfway through the 90-minute practice on the grass field.

After practice, head coach Norm Chow said there were "situations, circumstances that have arisen, and we just feel like it’s the best thing to move on."

Chow added: "Some things have come up. We’ll leave it at that."

Price, who was hired in February, did not resign, nor was he fired. It appears his one-year contract — which runs through March — remains in effect. His annual salary is estimated at $118,000. UH is not seeking to hire a replacement.

Chow will serve as offensive coordinator, a position he held at Brigham Young, North Carolina State, USC, UCLA and Utah and with the Tennessee Titans. Graduate assistants Jordan Wynn and Luke Matthews will have expanded roles with the offense.

Chow said the departure will not impact "one single thing. We have good young guys — Jordan and Luke — and I think I’ve done it long enough."

The decision was not based on coaching philosophies or job descriptions, according to people familiar with the situation. They added that Price was dealing with personal and family issues.

"I don’t think those reasons are important," Chow said. "I think in deference to Aaron and the rest of us, we need to move on. … It’s an unfortunate situation, but we have to worry about these 104 young men who are out here working their ass off, pardon the language."

Price was a member of his father Mike Price’s Texas-El Paso staff for nine years, through the elder Price’s retirement in December 2012. When a UH coaching job opened, Price paid his way to Honolulu to make a personal pitch to Chow.

There had been indications that the arrangement was not a perfect match. This past month, Chow confirmed he would continue to call the offensive plays.

"Everybody is pulling together," Wynn said. "We’ll handle it."

Quarterback Taylor Graham said: "We enjoyed our time with Coach Price. We’re going to move on. We’re confident in the people we have here and the coaches, and we know we can get the job done."

On Friday, Chow worked with several of the receivers, an area Price was supposed to coach.

"Deep down, I’m a receivers coach," Chow said. "I like to coach receivers."

Wide receiver Vasquez Haynes, a transfer from Blinn College, said the Rainbow Warriors will adjust without Price.

"I believe in Coach Chow," said Haynes, whose right arm was in a sling after practice. Haynes said the ailment is not "serious" and he expects to resume practicing today."