A key lesson in preschool — sharing is caring — was the impetus for Brian Smith’s promotion to offensive coordinator and associate head coach of the University of Hawaii football team.

Head coach Nick Rolovich said Smith, who was hired in December as running backs coach, will call the offensive plays this season.

It was a role Rolovich considered doing himself when Zak Hill resigned in January after 48 days as the Warriors’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. But Rolovich said the head coaching duties kept him from focusing fully on the offense.

“It would be unfair to do a half-assed job for these kids,” Rolovich said of his decision to cede play-calling duties. “Because of the way they were working, they deserved someone who was solely responsible for the offense, and not (someone) pulled away by an email (by) someone I need to talk to. They’ve earned my respect.”

Rolovich said the offensive room was not as “productive in decision making because, I think, people needed someone who could make the final decisions. We kind of stalled progress as an offensive staff.”

Rolovich said he strongly considered Craig Stutzmann, who is the quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator, and receivers coach Kefense Hynson for the play-calling job.

“I thought Brian was the choice that could tie the room together and have a strong presence and make decisions,” Rolovich said. Rolovich and Smith were UH teammates in the early 2000s and Warrior assistants for four seasons through 2011.

“It makes it more of a special experience knowing how important the school is to Nick and myself, and how important the program is,” Smith said. “There’s a great sense of responsibility in putting a great product on the field.”

During games, Smith and Hynson will be in the coaches’ booth. Rolovich, Stutzmann offensive line coach Chris Naeole will be on the field.

“It’s cool to be in charge of your own offense,” Smith said. “And to do it with someone you have a lot of respect for, and share a lot of ideas with, makes it an even better situation.”

The Warriors will run a hybrid offense combining read-option plays Rolovich used as Nevada’s offensive coordinator the previous four seasons, run-and-shoot concepts that Smith and Rolovich ran as UH players and coaches, and run/pass option schemes.

“It’s going to look real similar to what we were doing in the spring,” Smith said.

Rolovich said all the offensive coaches will be involved in crafting the game plan.

“They’re not just sitting in meetings staring at film,” Rolovich said. “I want everyone’s input.”

Smith often gives the appearance of being an economical speaker.

“I would say it could be a misinterpretation,” Smith said. “I definitely like to evaluate things before I open my mouth. It tends to keep you out of trouble. In my relationship with players, I take much more of an educational approach. I enjoy teaching a lot more. I’m definitely more vocal when I need to be.”

Rolovich said: “I would call him observant. I don’t think he talks just to talk. Brian has opinions. I respect them. Ever since we were (UH) roommates, he wasn’t afraid to share his opinions. I think that shows his strength.”

Rolovich said he evaluated every coach on his staff before choosing Smith as associate head coach.

“I trust him to run this football team as close as I would have,” Rolovich said. “He’s one of my best friends in the world, but that’s not why I did it. I looked at everybody on the staff. Everybody’s here for a reason. I’m happy everyone is here. … If I got struck by lightning, or whatever, who is the guy who will run the football team most like myself or in the way that I would like it run? When I came to the decision, it was Brian.”