This summer, University of Hawaii graduate assistant coach Brad Vonnahme was in a Washington state of mind.

In preparation for the Rainbow Warriors’ Aug. 30 football opener, Vonnahme inhaled every morsel and byte of information on Washington’s offense. He studied schemes, techniques, mannerisms.

Was it day or night? It was difficult to tell in the hours spent in UH’s video room.

"It’s hard work," UH coach Norm Chow said. "There are a lot of hours expected. You have to sleep in the office."

Vonnahme helped craft a profile of Washington’s offense. Information was crunched, analyzed and then used to create a mini playbook. Vonnahme, with help from graduate assistant Bo Montgomery, scripted a series of Washington’s plays the scout offense would run against UH’s defense in practices.

Defensive coordinator Kevin Clune said Thursday was "as chaotic as it could be getting the first scout team ready. We had to get the scouting reports done, the presentations the right way. (Vonnahme) worked his butt off. Everything was squared away. It was a great day."

Chow said Vonnahme has "worked with Kevin before. He knows what Kevin wants."

Clune and Vonnahme were at Utah State six years ago. In January, Clune was hired as UH’s defensive coordinator. Clune invited Vonnahme to join as a graduate assistant.

Vonnahme, who is married, was coaching linebackers and coordinating special teams at Midland University in Nebraska. A UH graduate assistant’s job is the financial equivalent of a scholarship. For Vonnahme, the decision was easy.

"Financially, it’s not the greatest situation," said Vonnahme, who joined UH shortly after spring practice ended, "but that’s not why you do it. You do it to work with great coaches at a great school and have some great opportunities to do something special."

Clune said: "Brad is the pickup man for every terrible job we have. He has to find a way to make the best of it, and he does."

Vonnahme organized the video files and revamped the defense’s playbook. He then worked on gathering intel on Washington.

He studied videos of the Huskies’ games, as well as charted Boise State games. Washington coach Chris Petersen was at Boise State for 13 years.

For practices the past two days, UH’s scout offense mimicked Washington’s, from spacing to breaking the huddle quickly. Scout quarterbacks Beau Reilly and Eric Prater were true to their Washington counterparts.

"They did a good job of leading the huddle and keeping the (scout) team together," Vonnahme said.

The scouts also celebrated after scoring a touchdown.

"It’s competitive," Vonnahme said. "Obviously, we’re trying to prepare the defense. The best way to do that is to create competition within the drill. If they’re just kicking our butt every play, then personally I don’t think we’re doing a great job. When we do well, that keeps it fun for the guys who are on scout team and gives them a chance to hone their craft as well."