2010 Spring Prospectus

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Warrior football team opened spring training Wednesday morning with the first of 15 practices at the grass practice field.

 

Despite losing 10 starters, including all-WAC picks Blaze Soares, Aaron Kia and John Estes, the Warriors return 15 starters from last season. Among those returning is senior slot receiver Greg Salas, who finished fourth nationally in receiving yards per game (122.3).

 

Additionally, head coach Greg McMackin announced several coaching changes. Nick Rolovich was named the new offensive coordinator and Dave Aranda was named the new defensive coordinator, while Tony Tuioti has been added as the defensive tackles coach.

 

The Warriors next practice will be Friday morning at 7 a.m.

 

“I just think we have a bunch of guys that want to learn and a bunch of coaches that want to coach and they're communicating with each other and really working hard at it. There's a freshness about it, we're young, but we're experienced and I'm just excited about this season.”

 

“We're glad to be making progress, we've got a ways to go and we're working at it, but we're making progress.”

 

On new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda

“He's just a student of the game, he's a hard working guy, he's very organized and very detailed. He's just an excellent teacher. He studies with everybody in the country, he stays up to date on all the new things in the game and he knows my package. He's been with me longer than anybody and we're not going to change anything in our package; we're going to try and make it look a little different, but he knows what he's doing and I've got a lot of confidence in him.”

 

On new offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich

“I knew he had a heart, I knew he had a brain for the game, I knew his passion and I watched him over the years. I wanted somebody who had played the position and he was the first guy I thought of as a position coach at quarterback, but he's shown leadership.

 

“Dave and Rolo are a similar type of guy; they are guys who have a great passion for the game and great knowledge for the game and...they're great teachers.”

 

“I just really want them to play fast, I want them to play together and to grow the bond between the players because they're the ones who really run the show.”

 

On junior quarterback Bryant Moniz
“He [Moniz] wanted this and now he's got a complete year to get ready for it. A lot of things have come up for him, bonding with guys, making time to really get to know your teammates, a lot of things like that. There's never a question of his work ethic in the weight room, the film room, all those things are what make a great quarterback.”

 

On new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda
“He [Aranda] did a lot of play-calling last year and he's a real smart coach. He knows the defense and he knows our team and what we need to do and he presents it well to the team. He brought a new intensity to the practice because Coach Mack had to concentrate on both the offense and the defense and now Coach Aranda can focus on just the defense.”

 

“As Coach Mack says, its competition that makes everyone better. I think [competition is] good because to be number one, you've got to train like you're number two so that's the attitude that everyone is coming in with.”

 

“We did so much last year with just that short time that we had so I can only imagine what will happen with a whole year of preparation.”

 

On new offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich
“The run and shoot is still going to be the run and shoot, it's going to be the same thing. We still have the same coaches out there, it's just going to have a little bit of Rolo's flavor on it, so it will be exciting, it will be fun.”

 

“Last year I was just trying to make the team and this year I'm trying to lead the team. I remember playing scout, playing safety, just playing anywhere trying to catch one of the coach's eyes. Now I just got to keep that work ethic going and compete with the other quarterbacks.”

 

“Competition just makes us greater. There's always competition I feel. I don't think anybody's job is ever secure, even if they say it is. That really helps me out just having that in the back of my mind, pushing me to do good.”

 

“It just felt good to be back here, it's like home out on this field.”

 

“Coach Aranda is really smart so he's going to get us into position to make plays. He's broken everything down for us and he has a lot more time than Coach Mack had because Coach Mack had to manage the whole team. He must be one of the hardest workers here; he's always here before us and here after us.”

 

“It's nice to get back out here. Everybody is excited this week coming back from spring break knowing we have to play football.”

 

On new offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich
“It's still the same stuff, just a different person calling the shots this year and it's the same.”

 

On junior quarterback Bryant Moniz
“He's [Moniz] definitely grown a lot and we're looking forward to him leading us this year.”

 

“I tried to work out my legs a lot more and put on a little bit of weight, but not too much, and just work out really hard and try to get a little bit fast and quicker.”