So just how tough is it go from a Division I head coach one season to a director of basketball operations for a conference rival the next?

"We’re going to find out really quick," said a smiling Kerry Rupp, the head coach of Louisiana Tech for the past four years.

Rupp, seeking a fresh start with an up-and-coming program, joined the Hawaii coaching staff as its new ops chief, effective Monday.

"Here’s the thing — you gotta check your ego at the door and do whatever your job description is," Rupp said. "If it’s to sweep the floor, I’d better sweep the floor the best I can."

The job is more glamorous than that, but not by much. He will oversee day-to-day, behind-the-scenes aspects of the program such as practice planning and travel logistics.

Rupp, who had a 57-73 record in four years at LaTech, was fired at the end of a 12-20 season in 2010-11, including 2-14 (last place) in the WAC. The previous year he led the Bulldogs to a 24-11 record and a berth in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.

Things can change quickly in college basketball. UH coach Gib Arnold realized it, and reached out to Rupp in the offseason. The two go back about 20 years, when Arnold worked basketball camps for Utah coach Rick Majerus. Rupp helped run them.

"That’s when I knew he was really good at what he did," Arnold said. "He’s overqualified for (the job), but he’s a great addition to our staff. He’s a grinder, he’ll do everything. He spent 24 years as a high school coach. He’ll do whatever it takes to make us better, spend thousands of hours in the office."

Rupp becomes the third member of the UH staff with D-I head coaching experience, along with Arnold and associate coach Benjy Taylor. He can advise during practices, but not from on the court.

"It may be tough for me," Rupp acknowledged. "I’m the type of guy who wants to coach not just every day, but every single repetition. So that will be different for me, but also it will be good for me to sit back, evaluate and do some things from that perspective."

Rupp’s first practice with UH on Monday doubled as the team’s first instruction in the Stan Sheriff Center this preseason. Wearing a Hawaii shirt, Rupp mostly observed at first, then offered words of support and advice as a 40-minute scrimmage progressed.

He was familiar with the UH personnel, having scouted them out as an opponent. As it turns out, Rupp was the first person who offered UH senior guard Zane Johnson a scholarship (to Indiana) in high school.

"He’s a great coach," Johnson said. "He’s a great guy and a great basketball mind. I’m glad he’s on our side now. It’s probably not very often that something like this happens."

Meanwhile, a possible starting lineup was shaping up for the Nov. 11 exhibition against Hawaii Pacific. Freshman point guard Shaquille Stokes, Johnson, junior small forward Hauns Brereton, junior power forward Joston Thomas and junior center Vander Joaquim played as the first group.