This season, the University of Hawaii football team could feel as if it is taking weekly exams for a class it has not regularly attended.
The Rainbows had a shortened winter program, no spring training, restrictive summer activities, and a delayed and then hastily cobbled training camp in advance of an abbreviated eight-week season. But Todd Graham, who was hired as UH’s head coach in January, has remained emotionally steady while sticking to the message he expects will provide “dividends” in the coming seasons.
“I want to see a win,” Graham said of tonight’s regular-season finale against UNLV at Aloha Stadium. “I want us to play a complete game and finish strong.”
The Warriors, who are 3-4, have had to deal with injuries, a lack of depth on the defensive line and in the secondary, and opponents’ coronavirus-related issues. The Warriors also have had hiccups in trying to establish a no-huddle, fast-tempo offense that Graham implemented at Rice, Tulsa, Pittsburgh and Arizona State.
“Great news is we’re making great progress,” Graham said, “and we need to go finish this thing off, and we know where we’re going. We have a plan, and we’re not going to flinch.”
Graham’s first staff hire was Kody Cooke, who was named assistant head coach in charge of developing strength and speed. Cooke’s aim was to have the players ready for an uptempo offense of 90-plus snaps per game and defenders who can cover wide areas while blitzing from all points. But the pandemic-related restrictions hindered the training. When UH’s facilities were locked down in the late spring and early summer, players without access to weights relied on push-ups, pull-ups and bands to maintain their strength and fitness.
Graham said there is an overall plan for the offense, defense and special teams. “It’s all in alignment,” Graham said.
“Right now, we ain’t got it in alignment yet. We’re working on that. It’s not something that comes overnight, especially with a lack of training and level of development we’ve had. It’s been harder for us. But every coach and every program has its challenges.”
From the first team meeting, Graham emphasized the discipline, toughness and intelligence to play in the system.
“It’s real simple,” Graham said. “You’re playing a team sport. You’ve got to have guys who are selfless. … It’s hard to get that. Nowadays, it’s different. Everything you read or do, it’s all about ‘me, me, me.’ We work very hard to get them to understand if you serve and give respect, you’ll get it back. To be successful as a team, we have to serve each other. … We’re not going to compromise those values. If we do those things, we’re going to win a bunch of football games.”
Graham said the players have shown resiliency this season. He said the Warriors overcame fumbling away the season-opening kickoff, and key injuries to left guard Kohl Levao, safety Eugene Ford, linebacker Jeremiah Pritchard and defensive lineman Jonah La‘ulu.
“Our guys respond,” Graham said. “We fumble the opening kickoff of the season, and the guys respond. That tells you you’ve got a foundation of guys who really care. They have heart, and they’ve demonstrated that.”
