University of Hawaii football defensive coordinator Tom Mason said he was "blindsided’ and "shocked" to learn he had been reassigned to a non-coaching position ahead of Saturday’s season finale against Louisiana-Monroe.
On Monday, Mason said, he was notified by Chris Naeole, who has served as the Rainbow Warriors’ interim head coach since Norm Chow’s firing on Nov. 1.
Naeole confirmed Mason’s reassignment during a post-practice media session on Wednesday.
Naeole said the move was made to boost the program’s "academic success." Naeole said with two weeks remaining in the fall semester — the last day of instruction is Thursday, Dec. 10 — "we need all the help we can get, and transition that to the next coach that’s taking over this program."
After being informed, Mason said, "I was just shocked. I’ve been coaching for 38 years and, you know, to have that happen, something’s not right."
Asked to expand on the move and whether it was performance-based, Naeole answered both times: "Academic success of this football program."
Mason said: "Some said, ‘Well, the kids feel like you quit on them.’ And I’m like, ‘Not from any of the kids I talked to.’ There’s no way I quit on them. I mean, I gave the same effort in September when we’re beating Colorado that I gave right now. You know, from a get-’em-ready standpoint to a game standpoint. I never went into a game I didn’t think I had a chance to win if we played right. I don’t buy that. I think that’s just a statement."
Mason said he believed he and Naeole did not have any disagreements.
"Whatever he wanted to do, I was like, ‘OK, you’re the head guy, let’s do it,’" Mason said. "Shoot, it’s the same way with Norm. I really enjoyed working with Norm. It just didn’t work out."
Mason previously was SMU’s defensive coordinator for seven years, serving the final two months as interim head coach after June Jones resigned. He joined UH as defensive coordinator in March.
Abraham Elimimian will handle the defensive play-calling this week. Elimimian is a former UH cornerback who was hired to coach the UH defensive backs in March. He declined to comment after Wednesday’s practice.
Kurt Gouveia, who coached the outside linebackers, now will coach all the linebackers. Mason had been coaching the inside linebackers.
"Inside linebackers have totally different techniques than outside linebackers," said Gouveia, who accepted the expanded role. "I’ve been doing that all my life. Shoot, it’s just carrying over. … I’m here to do my job. When my job’s over, then it’s over. I’m here to work."
Running backs coach Wayne Moses was reassigned to administrative work on Nov. 3.
Three weeks ago, Chow’s assistant coaches and staff received notices that their one-year contracts will not be renewed. Most of the contracts run through March 1. They may be considered for openings on the next coaching staff.
