The University of Hawaii football team completed the phase-in phase of training camp with an announced coaching change, spirited competition and the enthusiastic comeback of a team leader.
Kim McCloud, a former Rainbow Warrior who played and coached on offense and defense, will coach the cornerbacks. McCloud, who was the the Warriors’ defensive analyst and quality control coach, replaces cornerbacks coach Laiu Moeakiola, who left the program because of personal reasons.
McCloud was a receiver then cornerback during a four-season UH career through 1990. McCloud signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent, played two seasons in the Canadian Football League, served two years as Kaiser High’s defensive coordinator, then embarked on a 24-year career as a college coach. He joined UH in 2020.
On Monday, both sides made big plays in the third practice in limited upper-body padding. Head coach Todd Graham said the Warriors’ progress can be better measured during today’s full-pad practice and Saturday’s scrimmage.
“Good spirit about what we’re doing,” Graham said, referencing the quick tempo that has made its way to the third-team offense. “We’ve got the making of a good team if we keep working and getting better every day.”
Graham said the Warriors deepened the competition at running back, receiver and offensive line. Through recruiting, the Warriors amplified the pass rush and improved the tackling in the secondary. Safeties Hugh Nelson II, a transfer from Georgia, and Chima Azunna, who came from Iowa State, impressed in 11-on-11 drills.
“Where we needed help, we have help,” Graham said, noting the Warriors’ scrambled for backups in the secondary last year. “If (a defensive back) went down, we had to put a linebacker at safety. I’m not kidding you, depth was really a problem.”
The Warriors received a boost from the improved health of safety Eugene Ford, last year’s co-captain who suffered an ACL injury in the 2020 season’s second game. Graham said in his 32 years of coaching, Ford is one of the “top three or four” in powering through rehabilitation.
“He really worked his butt off,” Graham said. “Football is like life. That’s what happens in life. I’m proud of him and his recovery. I think he’s ready to go.”
Graham said Ford
still needs to regain his
football speed.
Ford said he was “mentally strong” following his surgery. “I had a great support system — great trainers, physicians, everyone working with me,” Ford said. “My teammates still working with me, and keeping me motivated. It really wasn’t hard other than the physical aspect. I fought through it. Now I’m back with the guys.”
When he received clearance to practice, Ford recalled, “I was fired up. I was fired up in meetings. I had my cleats on all ready, everybody (else) in their slides. I was ready to go, touch the field. I wasn’t waiting on anything. I was ready to strap my helmet and get going.”
