Perhaps the most difficult part of Sunday’s flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu was the five hours University of Hawaii football coach Norm Chow could not use his cell phone.
The business of preparing for the 2015 season began on Saturday evening following the Warriors’ 28-21 season-ending road loss to Fresno State. Chow reviewed video of that game. After arriving in Honolulu, Chow taped his coach’s show, then headed to his UH office.
"I’m looking forward to next year," said Chow, who will enter the fourth season of a five-year contract. "We’ll reassess the personnel and see what kind of talent we have."
There is a coaches’ meeting scheduled for this morning. This week, Chow will have one-on-one interviews with each player.
The Rainbow Warriors, meanwhile, are intent on restocking the roster. It is estimated there are 18 commitments from recruits, transfers and returning missionaries.
Four assistant coaches remained on the mainland to recruit. This phase of the recruiting period runs for two weeks.
The Warriors are seeking playmakers, regardless of position, on offense.
Ikaika Woolsey started 12 of 13 games at quarterback this past season. But Max Wittek, who redshirted after transferring from USC; Beau Reilly, who was on the active roster but did not play in any games; and Aaron Zwahlen, who returns from a two-year church mission in May, enter the quarterback competition.
Running back Joey Iosefa has completed his UH eligibility. Steven Lakalaka, who underwent hamstring surgery; Diocemy Saint Juste and Pereese Joas will be back. Former Punahou running back Ryan Tuiasoa has been impressive as a scout player going against the Warriors’ first-team defense in practices.
Wideouts Devan Stubblefield and Vasquez Haynes will compete in the spring after missing the entire fall because of injuries.
On the offensive line, the eligibility clock expires for seniors Kody Afusia and Sean Shigematsu. But the best lineman, left tackle Ben Clarke, returns for his senior season. Right guard Dejon Allen, who did not allow a sack in 10 starts this season, was on the ballot as the Mountain West Conference’s Freshman of the Year.
On the other side, defensive coordinator Kevin Clune said, the Warriors are "recruiting every position."
Clune indicated the emphasis is on "speed and toughness."
The Warriors have depth in the secondary. Safety Daniel Lewis, corners Nick Nelson, Jalen Rogers and Jerrel Jackson, and nickelback Gaetano DeMattei logged significant playing time as first-year Warriors. Cornerback Jamal Mayo and safety Dany Mulanga redshirted this year.
Kory Rasmussen, who played at Colorado as a freshman; Penitito Faalologo and freshman Ka‘au Gifford will be counted on to replace departing defensive tackles Moses Samia, Marcus Malepeai and Calen Friel. The Warriors are recruiting nose tackles from junior colleges.
The Warriors have feelers from Australia to the mainland in search of a punter to replace Scott Harding.
