The University of Hawaii football team has flicked the switch to “off” on the offseason.
The Rainbow Warriors, who reported to training camp on Thursday, will conduct their first practice this morning on the Manoa campus.
The start of the countdown to the week-zero opener against Colorado State on Aug. 25 puts behind last season’s 3-9 disaster.
“I think every year is a new deal,” coach Nick Rolovich said. “I’m excited to get started.”
The Warriors have six new assistant coaches — including Corey Batoon, their eighth defensive coordinator since 2011 — and more than 40 newcomers to the roster. Rolovich also brought back black helmets and jerseys, as well as the run-and-shoot offense that had been on hiatus the past six seasons.
There also will be a new starting quarterback. Dru Brown, who started the past 22 games, earned a bachelors degree and joined Oklahoma State as a graduate transfer.
Rolovich said there will be an open quarterback competition, “not a controversy.” Cole McDonald, Chevan Cordeiro, Jeremy Moussa, Kolney Cassel, Justin Uahinui and Tanner Darling will get significant work in scrimmage-like sessions and passing drills in the early phase of camp.
McDonald, a third-year sophomore, was the top backup to Brown last season. Cordeiro and Moussa are highly regarded freshmen — Moussa completed his high school studies early and enrolled at UH in January; Cordeiro, of Saint Louis School, joined in late June. Cassel played in June Jones’ run-and-shoot offense at SMU before transferring to Sacramento State. A series of injuries abbreviated the resume for Cassel, who arrives at UH as a graduate transfer. Larry Tuileta, who is on football scholarship, is training with the U.S. national volleyball team and will rejoin the Warriors later.
The Warriors’ top playmaker — slotback John Ursua — also is returning after recovering from a knee injury. Ursua was held out of spring ball. He was cleared for limited workouts this summer. Five days ago, he received full medical clearance to participate in contact drills.
The first eight practices — today, Saturday, and next week Monday through Saturday — will be open to the public.
