It will be an emotional time when Boise State co-offensive coordinator Zak Hill returns to Hawaii for Saturday’s football game at Aloha Stadium.

Well, maybe not.

“Zak who?” University of Hawaii quarterback Ikaika Woolsey said before remembering that Hill was the Rainbow Warriors’ offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for 48 days before departing for Boise State in late January. “It was quick. He was only here for a brief time.”

Hill was the sixth of seven UH offensive coordinators since Woolsey first enrolled in January 2012. With UH head coach Nick Rolovich’s blessing, Hill joined the Broncos for “family” reasons and a significant pay increase. During a news conference this week, Hill conceded that Boise “was a place I dreamed of coaching. … Ultimately, you’ve got to do what’s best for your family and what’s best overall.”

“To be honest, in hindsight, it probably worked out the way it’s supposed to,” Rolovich said, referring to former UH slotback Craig Stutzmann’s hiring as quarterbacks coach and passing-game coordinator. “Zak’s a good football coach. But Zak wouldn’t have come here with the investment in Hawaii that Stutz does.”

Stutzmann, a Saint Louis School graduate, was a finalist for the job as receivers coach that went to Kefense Hynson in December.

“Obviously, you’re going to be a little disappointed, but at the same time, too, we understand it’s a business,” Stutzmann said.

When Hill indicated he was leaving, Stutzmann, who was the offensive coordinator at Emory &Henry, re-emerged as a coaching candidate. This time, Rolovich offered the job to Stutzmann.

“There are few moments in your life that are going to stick with you throughout — marriage, a son’s or daughter’s birth, and to get the call to come back home,” Stutzmann said. “You can’t ask for anything better.”

Similar to a baseball catcher who becomes a pitching coach, Stutzmann brings a broader perspective as a former receiver working with quarterbacks.

“Coaching receivers is cool and everything, but I love coaching quarterbacks,” Stutzmann said. “You’re coaching a different style of person. You’re coaching a different group of kids. I like that connection with all of (the quarterbacks).”

Rolovich said Stutzmann has drawn on experiences coaching across the country the past decade. “What’s evident is Stutz has studied and gathered information over the years,” said Rolovich, a former UH quarterback. “He really absorbed a lot of good quarterback information. There are things I want to do a certain way at the (quarterback’s) position, and he’s still very curious as far as learning. … He brought some good things to the position and offense.”

Stutzmann is credited with helping quarterback Dru Brown’s development.

“He’s the man,” Brown said. “He’s a great coach. It definitely helps having that good balance of being on your butt, but also taking it down a notch and not really ripping you.”

Stutzmann marveled at how the initial rejection as receivers coach eventually led to a better-fitting position.

“Things happen in mysterious ways,” Stutzmann said. “God has a plan for everybody. If that’s the route it had to be to come back and coach quarterbacks, I tell you what, I’d do it again. … You don’t want to be the first guy. You want to be right guy. I feel I’m the right guy for the job. I’m happy to be here.”