UH interim coach to start Woolsey as No. 1 QB

Three days after replacing the head coach, the University of Hawaii football team changed the No. 1 quarterback.

Interim head coach Chris Naeole said Ikaika Woolsey will start in Saturday’s road game against UNLV. Max Wittek had started eight of the nine games this season.

"I’m going to go with Ikaika," Naeole said, but "I told Ikaika, I’m not afraid to pull the trigger and put Max in."

Wittek, who redshirted after transferring from USC in August 2014, has played despite injuries to both knees and a foot. But the offense has been held scoreless in four games he started, including the past Saturday’s 58-7 loss to Air Force.

Naeole said Wittek has been sharp in practices on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Max came out and played like a pro," Naeole said.

Naeole emphasized that Woolsey and Wittek have had equal reps in practices this week. Naeole said Woolsey "came in and he moved the ball."

In making the decision, Naeole said: "I don’t have the option of worrying about feelings. I’m going to do what I feel is right and best for the team."

For now, the choice is Woolsey, who started 12 of 13 games in 2014. He played half that season despite a painful back injury that made him grimace every time he was hit. Woolsey is a rare fifth-year junior who grayshirted in 2011 and redshirted in 2012.

Naeole said the competition is ongoing.

"It could be game day (and) I could change my mind," Naeole said. "Right now (Woolsey) is our guy, and we’re going to support him."

Woolsey and Wittek were not made available to the media following Wednesday’s practice.

"Whoever we put in there is going to give us a chance to win," offensive coordinator Don Bailey said. "That’s from week to week. It doesn’t matter who we have at that spot. We feel that’s the guy who will give us a chance to win."

For the second practice under Naeole, the eight new captains led the pre-practice stretching and warm-up sessions.

For nose tackle Kory Rasmussen, it has been a unique journey to the front line. Rasmussen, a Kamehameha Schools graduate who was at Colorado as a freshman, earned a football scholarship and welcomed his son, Kruze, this summer. He ascended from backup to starter last month. On Tuesday, he was named a team captain.

"It’s been a ride," Rasmussen said of the past few months. "There have been ups and downs. I’m hoping to finish on an up note."

Rasmussen has had issues with his knees. Each morning, he rolls out of bed "very carefully."

"It’s fun coming out here in the mornings," Rasmussen said. "Once we get into the locker room, it’s time to turn it on and go to work."

It also has been a dizzying time for graduate assistant Ramsen Golpashin, who has taken over as the offensive line coach following Naeole’s promotion. Naeole now oversees all the positions.

"I trained him well," Naeole said, smiling. "He’s trying to become a Jedi master."

Golpashin, who joined the Warriors this year, earned a bachelor’s degree and MBA at Oregon. His graduate program at UH focuses on building an online curriculum for teachers.

"We’re using technology to teach," Golpashin said. "It’s a new age. It’s pretty useful stuff."

In addition to assisting Naeole with the offensive linemen, Golpashin helped analyze videos, prepare game plans, and coach the scout defense. In his rare free time, he worked on school projects. But with Naeole now concentrating on head-coaching duties, Golpashin is in charge of the offensive line.

"Chris gave me a lot of responsibility throughout the year in case something were to happen and I had to jump in and take the reins," Golphashin said. "The kids are mature guys who know what to do whether it’s me or Chris (in charge)."

Naeole said he has confidence in Golpashin, who was impressive in his job interview in the spring.

"We felt he was the best fit," Naeole said. "He’s doing a great job."