After learning Norm Chow was fired as the University of Hawaii football team’s head coach, defensive coordinator Tom Mason summed his feelings in one word: "Damn."
"I was shocked," Mason said of his telephone call from Chow. "I was sitting here grading film and … damn."
Mason had completed a seven-year stint at SMU, the final three months as interim head coach, when he was invited to join Chow’s staff in February.
"There’s no patience in college football anymore," Mason said. "The thing people better understand, if I can give any input, is consistency is what builds programs. Go look at Oregon. Go look at TCU. It’s not coaching changes every three or four years. Until people start realizing that, it’s going to be a damn circus."
Quarterback Max Wittek was a Mater Dei High senior when he first met Chow. Wittek said Chow was influential in his decision to transfer from USC to UH in August 2014.
"It was unfortunate," Wittek said of Chow’s dismissal. "I wish we could have played (better) so this wouldn’t be an issue. These are the decisions left up to the people who are paid to make them. We just play the games. We’re going to continue to play the games."
Chow had honored a scholarship offer to quarterback Ikaika Woolsey, who grayshirted in the fall of 2011 and joined the Warriors in January 2012.
"I’m definitely thankful for what Coach Chow has done for us and for me," Woolsey said. "But, I guess, it’s time (to) change it up, get some new blood in there."
Linebacker Lance Williams said, "It’s like somebody in our family lost a job. That’s life. That’s how things are going in the world. … We’re still going to play hard, no matter what happens without the head man in front of us. It’s not just the coaches’ team. It’s the senior leadership. It’s our team."
Cornerback Ne’Quan Phillips, who has had rough patches, said, "Coach Chow is a good guy overall. He’s not just about the football aspect. He teaches you about the life aspect, how to be a man and all that. I know he really cared about us."
