LAS VEGAS >> Several minutes before the University of Hawaii football team’s arrival for Friday’s practice, members of the equipment staff raised the Hawaiian flag at Sam Boyd Stadium.

It was a symbolic gesture for the players, who had pledged allegiance to the Rainbow Warrior football program during this tumultuous week.

On Sunday, Norm Chow was fired as head coach following a 2-7 start that gave him a 10-36 deficit accrued in four years at UH.

Chris Naeole, who coached the offensive linemen, was promoted to interim head coach. Naeole was charged with guiding the Rainbow Warriors for the final four games of a season that will end without a winning record or bowl game. The Warriors are UNLV’s homecoming opponent today. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Hawaii time.

Naeole appointed eight new captains on Monday, then named a new No. 1 quarterback on Tuesday. Ikaika Woolsey trades places with Max Wittek, who started eight of the first nine games despite ailments in both knees and a foot.

Naeole told Woolsey he would retain the position as long as he worked hard and produced. Naeole said he would not hesitate to summon Wittek.

Naeole then told the players to focus on preparing for UNLV.

"I told them to talk less and work harder," Naeole said. "We’ll let the pads do the talking."

Naeole pared the travel roster to players who were healthy enough to contribute. The travel itinerary allowed for visiting time with family members, with no detours in the hotel’s casino. Naeole pondered a bowling night, then opted for the team to watch the Bond movie "Spectre" in the hotel multiplex.

The Warriors also practiced for about an hour in shells — shoulder pads — while working in special plays. Afterward, Naeole said he was pleased with the effort.

"I asked these guys to go to work, and they went to work," Naeole said.

With the coaching turnover, linebacker Julian Gener said, the players focused fully on football.

"Football is a good diversion," Gener said, noting Chow’s firing did not end the season. "We still have to play football. It’s kind of good to get our minds off things. It’s a tough week. These last four weeks have to be the foundation we’re building on for the new coach and the guys who are going to stay. We can’t focus on the old. When you focus on the old, you’re never going to get out of the old ways."

Naeole said he understands the situation has been difficult for the coaches and staff.

"You’ve got families involved," Naeole said. "It’s very tough. I understand that. But we have to finish these four games, and finish down the stretch."

UNLV considers UH to be a rival second to cross-state Nevada.

"They call this the ‘ninth island,’" said UNLV linebacker Tau Lotulelei, who was raised on Maui. "The (players) before me made it a mind-set to the younger guys that it’s a rivalry and one of the best games of the season."

The Rebels still are feeling the sting of last year’s final-play loss to the Warriors. The Rebels had questioned the clock management. As it turned out, time ran out for Bobby Hauck, who was fired as head coach after the game.

The Rebels have embraced first-year coach Tony Sanchez, who led national high school power Bishop Gorman the past few years. With expanded support, the Rebels have changed the turf at Sam Boyd Stadium, and added more jerseys to their football wardrobe.

Sanchez has been a Rebel without a pause.

"He’s an enthusiastic guy," tight end Jake Phillips said. "He loves what he does. You can see his passion when he runs on the field. It really connects to the team. His passion goes to the team, and the team gets more passion."

In this meeting, the head coaches have a combined eight games of college coaching experience.

"It’s a lot of admin," Naeole said of his new responsibilities. "I never worked so much in the front office. There’s less football, more admin."

In practices, Naeole roams to each position station. During Friday’s practice, he watched the defensive drills, then offered advice to Gener.

"You’ve got to worry about everybody," Naeole said. "I went from 16 kids to 105."

Gener said the Warriors are playing for pride.

"For sure, the bowl would have been great," said Gener, referring to an agreement in which UH would receive a berth in the Hawaii Bowl if it finished with a winning regular season. "That’s what I was shooting for. I’m not a loser by any means. Nobody on this team is. We’re going to go out and get these last four games. No matter what the record shows, I know we can do it."