Even an inadvertent beard cannot mask Jordan Wynn’s pain.
"I haven’t had time to shave," said Wynn, the University of Hawaii football team’s 24-year-old quarterbacks coach and play-caller. "I go home, and I go to sleep. (The beard will) go eventually."
To be sure, there are growing pains this season for the Rainbow Warriors’ offense. Among FBS schools, the Warriors are ranked 103rd in total offense (356.6 yards per game), 123rd in pass efficiency (97.4) and 110th in scoring (20.1 points per game).
"It’s just frustrating to lose," Wynn said. "I’m not a good loser."
The Warriors are 2-8 overall and 1-4 in the Mountain West Conference.
Asked if, in hindsight, he would do anything differently, Wynn said: "I guess we have to coach better. That’s what I say. I take it upon myself. We have to find a way to win."
Wynn’s quarterback career ended when he suffered a shoulder injury in 2012 as a Utah senior. Last year, Wynn joined UH as a graduate assistant in charge of quarterbacks. After Aaron Price was fired as offensive coordinator a few days before the start of the 2013 training camp, Wynn was given more play-calling duties.
In the first three games of the 2013 season, the Warriors averaged 13 points and 282 yards. In the next nine games, after Wynn took over as the primary play-caller, the Warriors averaged 32.2 points and 460 yards. He was hired as full-time coach in January.
Before the start of this season, the Warriors lost two wideouts to injuries (Devan Stubblefield and Vasquez Haynes), two to transfers (Keith Kirkwood and Kwamane Bowens), and one to retirement (Bubba Poueu-Luna). Running back Joey Iosefa missed four games because of an ankle injury and three more to suspension. Backup quarterbacks Taylor Graham and Jeremy Higgins suffered season-ending injuries.
But the Warriors have also been undone by several factors.
While Wynn and quarterback Ikaika Woolsey have claimed responsibility, senior co-captain Scott Harding said: "Obviously, anyone who knows football knows it’s just not one person. It’s not just the play-calling. It’s not the quarterback’s throwing. It’s a bunch of different things. It’s the receivers dropping passes or the O-line not blocking properly or the running backs not hitting the right hole. There are a bunch of different things it can be. That’s what it is. That’s the fact. Jordan’s a coach. He’s obviously going to take it hard. He comes back every week and tries to get better. That’s what we’re trying to do."
Pressure?
"I’m not going to come out here and be all smiles all the time," Wynn said Tuesday. "I mean, we only have two wins. … That’s not what’s weighing me down. I love my job. I love what I do. It’s a great opportunity. We have to win."
