UH Athletics is Dying

Our beat writer, Stephen Tsai, is referring to these as the good old days. A very ominous warning for what might lie ahead for UH. We still have Division 1 football. We still have a place to play football. We still have the Hawaii Bowl. We are still part of the Mountain West. But for how long?

Stephen teased this article a couple days ago with a post on Facebook. He doubled down with an article in the Star Advertiser today called, "As Glum As It Looks Now, This Might Be As Good As It Gets For UH" link to article below.

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/10/10/sports/stephen-tsai-as-glum-as-it-looks-now-this-might-be-as-good-as-it-gets-for-uh/

Why should we care? UH doesn't. Not enough to hire a coach with enough experience to guide the program through the mess that Todd Graham left. The same program that trots out the same men's basketball coach that wins a game in the Big West Tournament, once every couple of years. If we're lucky.

Time to beat a dead horse. Football doesn't work here without tailgating. I don't care what mid level reggae act you get to perform at the Les an hour before the game. Ever walk through the parking lot of Aloha Stadium prior to kickoff? The smells and food was nothing short of amazing. For many, the tailgate was more important than the game itself. Food, family and football are synonymous here in Hawaii. Trying to put on a football game without tailgating is a non starter for many in this fanbase. Or what's left of it.

A "No Tailgating" sign greets you as you enter the parking garage at the athletic complex. There is absolutely no energy or enthusiasm as you enter the stadium prior to kickoff. None. It's like a morgue. Seriously. People aren't warmed up without tailgating. They're cold. Timmy's offense hasn't helped, but that's beside the point. He didn't get to pick his offensive coordinator, but that's another story.

The 9,000 or so fans left at TC Ching on gamedays are the diehards. But I feel like once UH is eliminated from bowl contention, there will be lots of offers from family and friends if you would like tickets to the UH game this weekend. The players deserve to play infront of a capacity and rowdy crowd. PPV should only be available once a bare minimum of seats (80% capacity) is sold. PPV keeps us as second class citizens in the MWC. The model needs to be studied and modified to drive more people to the event, by those in charge. Speaking of which...

Hiring an athletic director with practically no ties to the program doesn't help. Hawaii is unique, and unlike any other place in the country, or world for that matter. Has Craig eaten a spam musubi yet? I doubt it. I don't trust him yet. He needs to earn my trust. Which will take time. He needs to show me that he will make good decisions for the program, and not run off to the next job that's comparable on the mainland. He's got a tough job.

Good luck getting teams to sign on the dotted line for games to fill out pukas on the football schedule going forward. Having the visiting team get ready on a folding chair outside the baseball concourse is embarrassing. Losing Aloha Stadium has struck at the very legitimacy of our program. We went from one of the best teams attendance wise in the MWC, to the very bottom of the conference. If not all of D1.

Will the New Aloha Stadium get completed by 2028, if ever? I have serious doubts. Do we even need it considering where the football team is at right now? Probably not. The longer the can gets kicked down the road on a plan for this new building, the less likely it is that it gets built. Just my opinion.

We are in the midst of realignment in college football. Football, tv sets and money are causing a seismic shift in the college football and collegiant athletics landscape. UH looks and feels like an FCS program at this point in time. We offer little to justify continuing in the Mountain West if TC Ching is where our team continues to play. It's not a division 1 facility.

UH is important to the state. People support it. From the couches of their living rooms watching pay-per-view, to the people wearing their Sugar Bowl shirts at Don Quijote. Just not enough are showing up at TC Ching to justify a new stadium or continuing as a D1 program.

I'd tell you to come out and join my friends and myself in supporting this program. But I sit in a section where we can't use the stairs 5 feet in front of us, because it's reserved for 14 people at the top with purple wristbands. We have to cut across a whole section to get to our seats in the corner of the stadium. Humbug. It sucks.

My friend and his girlfriend won't be joining us this weekend, because the usher told him to sit down with a couple of minutes left in a tied game, the last time UH played at home. Long time UH supporters. That ain't D1. It's bush league. How you going to alienate and frustrate what little supporters you have left? A lifetime fan questioning if he will renew his tickets next season. Auwe.

I'm hoping for a couple of first downs on our first offensive drive against San Diego State. I'm also hoping the score isn't 3-20 by the time halftime rolls around against those Aztecs. Come, don't come. Whatever. I don't see how UH rights itself from this death spiral the football and athletics department finds itself in. If you think everything is hunky dory, then continue living in that reality. Call me a hater, a fake fan. I honestly don't care. I've been following this program for well over 40 years. This is what I see.

Stephen says these are the good old days of the athletics department. I disagree. I'm old enough to remember the raucous crowds of 44,000+ in the late 80s at Aloha Stadium. Our Sugar Bowl run in '07. Those magnificent games against BYU. Riley's scrappy b-ball teams that willed themselves to victory in the WAC Tournament in March. As long as UH favors control over hiring the best people for the job, this university is doomed. It aspires to be nothing more than mediocre. That's a death sentence in itself. JMO

You need more than a good volleyball program to pay the bills at the D1 level. Football and basketball buoy a healthy athletics department. I'll be here to watch whatever happens in the next 3-5 years. Even if the people this university picks won't be.

Is there a cure for what ails this program? Tailgating would be a huge step in the right direction. Transparency in hires and accountability would help to establish trust and a better connection with this beleaguered fan base. In the movie, "Field of Dreams", Ray heard the voice that said, "Build it and they will come". I'm not sure that even a new Aloha Stadium is enough to save UH from its own demise. I guess we will find out. I'll watch it all go down from Section 151, Big City Diner, or the SSC, because I don't do PPV.

Go Bows!

Be Warriors!

I Said What I Said

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I ain't a Matlin fan. Far from it. I'm a mark for the Run 'N Shoot. Best offense ever invented. EVER!

So on Wednesday after "Call the Coach" a few people were chatting and a remark was made about how Matlin had hired Shoemaker and that he wasn't Timmy's choice.

I was irate. Went home and banged on Twitter for confirmation. Got it. Boom! It fit the narrative. In his short flirtation with bringing June back after Todd Graham left, Matlin wanted JJ to serve as head coach for a year or two and pass the reigns off to a younger coach like Timmy Chang. With the caveat being that Matlin had full control over who was and wasn't going to be on June's staff.

June walked out of the meeting, Matlin never went back to him, and he moved on with his coaching search. Matlin had what he needed from June, an answer of "no". Only thing is June went to the media and explained his side of the discussion. Something he hadn't done the previous two times he had applied.

The Shoemaker hire never made sense to me. Timmy had never worked with him nor had he even met him. So to get to coach at your dream job, your Alma mater, and then hire some random dude that isn't versed in the Run 'N Shoot made absolutely no sense, at least not to me.

Those first six or so games were tough to watch on offense. The whole season period was tough to watch on offense. QB threw for 12 TDs, 10 INT's and roughly a 50% completion percentage. Hardly the pinball numbers we saw 20 years ago with Timmy, Rolo, and Colt in the heydey of the Run 'N Shoot under June Jones.

So if you brought in Timmy Chang to take the heat off of your terrible hire, after flat out ignoring the concerns of the student-athletes that lead up to a Senate hearing where you couldn't answer a damn question about your own department, that wasn't part of your prepared and scripted statement, that's a problem.

1% better everyday is the tag line. Are we 1% better then when Rolo left? How about the basketball team. They just lost to Texas A&M Commerce in front of a few thousand people the other night. Auwe. Transparent as mud. At least Jim Donovan did Q&As on a monthly basis.

After a season of watching the Bows struggle on offense, where things appeared to improve running RnS concepts. Hearing that Shoemaker wasn't Timmy's pick, made me snap.

Timmy faced so many challenges with all the players that left, coupled with the fact that he was making the quantum leap of position coach to head coach from Colorado State to Manoa. The least you can do is let him pick his own guy to run the offense, right?

I felt bad for Timmy. Going to "Call the Coach" you could hear the frustration in his voice and the want to get better. He says this is his dream job and that he wants to be here, forever. I believe him. I find him to be a straight shooter.

If Timmy needed to get bowl eligible in his first two years to get a contract extension, the very least you could do is let him pick his OC, right?  That's not what I heard. Which was confirmed by a few reputable sources. But I ain't about to burn those people because I said something on Twitter.

I've grown up watching UH football. People made fun of me because I liked them. I didn't care. Been a fan for over 40 years. So to be called a "fake fan" is laughable to me. Our group shows up and shows out. We've been doing it since we were kids. I find them to be some of the most wonderful, dedicated, and supportive people I have ever come across.

We were all doing this well before social media existed. So to be mentioned as, "Super Fans" is an honor. And when Timmy Chang says he wants your help, we listen. The very least our outgoing AD can do, is let him pick his offensive coordinator, right?

Watching my friends argue with random people, sock puppets, and burner accounts made me sad. Our fanbase is too small, especially at this time and place of our programs history.

I wanted confirmation and context as to why we struggled so much on offense this year and why that guy is the OC. The narrative fits with what has happened in the way I have seen it unfold.

I just want Timmy Chang to succeed. I cheered him on at Aloha Stadium 20 years ago, and continue to support him as our head coach today. The very least we can do is let him pick his OC, right? Especially when the guy who picked his predecessor screwed the pooch with the hire that put our program in this predicament.

1% better my okole.

You kind of find out who your friends are in times like this. I'm thankful for them.

You can be mad at me. I get it. It's totally fine. I don't care how much access you have to the program. I don't care if you're a bigger fan than me. I don't care if you believe me or not. I'm good. I'm not making random stuff up and posting it for sh!ts and giggles. I have better things to do.

I said what I said.

Go Bows!

YOLi: Day 1

I started the program today!  Yay!

I liked the shake I ate for breakfast and dinner.  I don't care for the berry drink and taking all those pills.  ;p

Wasn't hungry until right before lunch.  But I didn't eat today till a little before 1pm.

I do notice that I use the bathroom more than when I didn't use the program.  Even waking up a couple times to pee at night.

Took my measurements and picture.

Feel good.  Not as sluggish in the AM, or after lunch.

Good start!  I'm encouraged!

YOLI: Day 0

     Tomorrow is the day.  I promise.  I have put this thing off for way too long already.  My transformation kit has been in a box, on the floor, in the kitchen, for a month and a half now.  There are no more weddings, breaks, trips, or restaurant grand openings to hide behind.  Besides, I have to get this thing over before Thanksgiving hits, right?

     I went to a YOLI party this Sunday after running some errands in town with my wife.  Her friend Luu and fiance (Ruby) were in town.  I had a lot of anxiety about starting the program prior to going to the party.  I have never in my life been on a diet.  I have never restricted myself from eating anything.  Well, maybe a little bit.  I'll talk about that later.  Like in another entry.  I'm skinny.  Sometimes I eat good.  Sometimes I eat bad.  Hopefully the good outweighs the bad.  I especially like rice.  White, sticky, delicious, beautiful, rice.  My favorite food on the planet.  And you want me to give that up for 28 days?  Please.

     When I go to the mainland for anything more than a few days, I start to act funny.  My body craves white rice.  Physically.  Emotionally.  Desperately.  I need it.  I need it in my system.  Every day.  The thought of going 28 days without this beautiful substance in me is terrifying.  Like Freddy, Jason, and the Ring kind of scary.  Luu gave some helpful options and suggestions.  It put me at ease.

     Hearing other peoples testimonies and stories at the party are nothing short of awe inspiring.  I lost 22 pounds in a week.  I have more energy.  My relationships with members of my family is better.  This has helped me focus more at work.  It helped with my physical ailments.  I make good money doing this.  Who doesn't want that?  I'm intrigued.  Can this work for me?  That is what I need to find out.

     The new promotional videos are improved over the ones I watched a couple months ago.  I trust what these people are saying.  I can see what it has done for them.  Personally, physically, financially, and even spiritually.  So, I'm ready!  Wish me luck.

Long Term Goal:  Get ripped, and have more energy!
Short Term Goal:  Start manyana!  (tomorrow)

University of Hawaii Season Predictio

I think they will be better.  But make no mistake, I HATE that Chow is still here!  In fact, UH has done very little this calendar year that I have agreed with.  It's been a circus of bumbles, stumbles, and missteps.  To be quite frank, I'm totally disgusted and down on the entire program right now.  

I see 2 guaranteed wins, 4 guaranteed losses, and 8 toss up games.  Is the Hawaii Bowl a possibility?  Yes, but I aint going that far.  Here's how I see the season playing out.

Opponent                   Result               Record        Predicted Score

vs. Colorado                 Loss                  (0-1)                     20-30

@ The Ohio State         Loss                  (0-2)                     10-70

UC Davis                      Win                   (1-2)                     27-13

@ Wisconsin                 Loss                  (1-3)                     13-56

@ Boise State               Loss                  (1-4)                     14-49

vs. SDSU                      Loss                  (1-5)                     28-24

@ UNM                       Loss                  (1-6)                      20-24

@ Nev                          Loss                  (1-7)                     17-27

vs. AFA                        Win                   (2-7)                     23-20

@ UNLV                      Loss                  (2-8)                      27-24

vs. Fresno St                 Win                   (3-8)                      27-23

vs. SJSU                       Win                   (4-8)                      31-17

vs. LA Monroe             Win                    (5-8)                      37-20

Lots of close and tightly contested game.  Just a brutal schedule.  Depth and talent on the offensive and defensive lines are a concern.  I think they will be better offensively.  I saw that at UH practice.  Vast improvement from the Spring to Fall Camp.  I also believe that UH will let Chow return to finish out his contract in 2016.  They are that dumb and cheap.

Looking forward to kicking the season off Thursday Night versus Colorado.

Go Bows!

I guess.

UH Fall Practice (8-21-15)

UH Fall Practice (8-21-15)

Hot

Humid

Sweltering

Did I mention that it was hot?  And all I was doing was sitting in a chair under a tree.  It was brutal.  At least the team got shave ice after practice.  Well, most of the team.  One dude got kicked out of practice.  Bonehead play.  You can't do that stuff.  

There are signs all over.  No pictures.  No video.  I took this picture a few minutes before the start of practice, so it doesn't count, right?

There was a guy that was late to practice.  He did his best Spiderman impersonation on the fence for the majority of practice.  Don't be late kids.  Comic Con is coming up.  But I felt bad for the guy.

I have been told that secrecy is the thing.  So I'm doing my best to be vague.  About everything.  I'm sure that all the information out there from practice is why we are losing, and not an incompetent head co...Nevermind.

The practice opened up with the 2 minute drill.  Bailey stressed Tempo, tempo, TEMPO!  Throughout the practice.  He wanted, "Energy and Enthusiasm!"  

Wittek has all but locked up the job.  Looked like they were trying to get some playing time to the young guys to figure out who was going to be on the road roster.  Dylan Coolie looks to be very involved on offense and special teams.  I was surprised by RB Melvin Davis.  Nice size and is pretty shifty.

Team looks a lot better than the last practice I attended in the Spring.  More disciplined as well.  Best practice that I have been to in the Chow Era.  Lots of teaching, explaining, and defining concepts.  I was happy to see that.  

70's and 80's music seem to have replaced the rap and hip hop music that I had heard during my last couple of visits to watch the team practice.  There were about 40-50 onlookers.  I sat by a couple of people that like to read and post on the Scout Warrior message board.  They would like to remain anonymous.  Ah, the beauty of the internet.

I'm optimistic.  Leaning towards 5 wins for this upcoming season.  Schedule is just brutal.  With no bye weeks.  Ugh.

Looking forward to kicking this thing off against Colorado week after next!

Go Bows!

David Matlin & Don Bailey at the Downtown Athletic Club

This was my first time attending an event at the Downtown Athletic Club at the Hukilau located at the Executive Center.  It featured the new Athletic Director for the University of Hawaii, David Matlin, and Offensive Coordinator for the Rainbow Warrior football team, Don Bailey.  Hosted by ESPN's 1420AM, the event kicked off smoothly at 12:00pm.  There were about 80-90 people in attendance.  $20 got you a buffet style lunch of rice, chicken, steak strips, salad, and some type of coconut dessert.

David Matlin was introduced.  It struck me how small he was in stature.  Its a daunting job that he's got.  He shot right into a prepared statement talking about the value of Division 1 Athletics for the State of Hawaii.  It had the feel of an introductory press conference.  Personally, I would have preferred he talk about his first three months on the job, and bang the can on the upcoming sports year.  Volleyball and football season is right around the corner.  It has been shocking to me how little in the way that UH has promoted and pushed for season ticket sales for these two programs.  Especially considering that football carries the entire athletic department.

Matlin hit his points about the value of athletics here.  He talked about justification for having UH Athletics to create leaders for the future both here in Hawaii and abroad.  Stewardship, the importance of utilizing  every dollar given to the greatest potential for the athletic department and school.  Sees athletics and the department as an investment, and wants to gain trust back.  Transparency, admitting when mistakes are done and correcting them so they won't happen again.  His last point in this opening salvo was continuous improvement.  He said it his goal to improve on one thing each day.  By picking one thing each day and working on that, he can better himself and the department.  He called it the 1% solution.  He said he challenged the 350 students and 450 employees in the department to improve on just one thing a day.  By improving something everyday, the school and you could be so much better.

He went on to discuss the guiding principles of his administration.  I think he covered this in his introductory press conference.  They include: integrity, winning, innovation, brand image, engagement, faculty involvement, ownership and engagement, outreach, community involvement, and having a positive mindset.  Said the last point was very key for him.  Having a positive mindset when tacking huge problems, which UH has, is key to improvement.

Kurt Ozaki was then introduced.  He on behalf of the, "We Get Em" campaign presented a $30,000 check to Matlin.  Audience was then asked if they had any questions.  Only one person asked about a Family Zone at Aloha Stadium for the upcoming season.  John McNamarra jumped in and told what sections of Aloha Stadium was designated as family friendly and what to do if people were being too rowdy in that section, by texting or notifying an usher.

Don Bailey was then introduced.  He is living in Ewa Beach and doesn't seem to mind the commute to Manoa everyday.  He gets there early in the morning before the sun rises and gets home after the sun sets.  So I'm assuming he misses the horrible traffic.  He talked about his encounters with people here, and how much UH football means to Hawaii and the fans of the program.  He said that he would rather play good teams then cupcakes.  He'll get his wish with road games at The Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Boise State this season.  He assured the crowd that we will see a different product this coming season.  Spring Ball (Practice) went well and they improved offensively as camp progressed.  He added that he didn't want to talk about the changes, he can't wait to show people what they were going to do.

A member of the audience brought up a question about starting QB for the Rainbow Warriors, Max Wittek.  Bailey said that he was a talented individual and talked about his journey from high school, to USC, to sitting out a year, in order to have a year of eligibility here at Hawaii.  The discussion then turned to the offense.  He didn't want to talk about scheme.  He did say that they will go fast (uptempo) to manipulate the defense.  They will make the defense react and they will be aggressive in style.  Their aim will be to stretch the defense.

Talked about the different position groups starting with RB.  Mentioned DSJ and the need for him to stay healthy.  Talked about the two JC transfers of Davis and Harris, as well as projected starter, Steven Lakalaka.  Bobby asked if the O-line had enough (depth) to make it through the season.  He didn't seem that concerned about it and was quite confident in their ability to protect the QB and make holes for the RB's.

Bailey went on to add that he incorporated his system into the offensive system already in place.  Easier for 1 person (him) to learn a new system, then 40 guys learning a new one.  Said he liked to use the TE at Idaho State and would like to use them here at Hawaii.  Went on to discuss the array of WR's on the roster and what they bring to the offense.

A question was brought up about the offense and percentages.  Bailey said that last year they passed 55% of the time, and ran 45% of the time.  But that was predicated on the look of the defense and personnel on the field.  The question was asked about how much of the offense would be in his hands.  He simply said that HE is in control and will call all of the offensive plays.

Bobby concluded by saying there were 37 days till the kickoff between UH and Colorado at Aloha Stadium on Thursday Night.

I enjoyed the meeting.  Bailey more than Matlin, based on material.  Nice seeing friends such as Dave, Lance, and Alan at the event.  If you have never gone to the Hukilau, I suggest you go!  I think their Kobe Burger is THE BEST burger on the island!  I took a few pictures, but they were all jacked up due to the strange lighting and shadows in the restaurant.

GO BOWS!