WHERE is Don King when you need him? Fred vs. Hugh
is a fight that’s
worth watchingThe Fred vonAppen vs. Hugh Yoshida slugfest looks as promising as Tyson-Holyfield.
Now the latest chapter in the Manoa version of the Hatfields and McCoys involves a not-so-secret-document called "30 points" - which just happens to be the same number that BYU is favored to clobber UH by tomorrow night.
Some people are getting bored with the ongoing grudge match between the two former college pals. Not me. It beats watching the football team get waxed like an old jalopy every weekend.
In fact, I bet this feud goes back to their undergraduate days at Linfield College. Yoshida must have put shaving cream in vonAppen's boxer shorts, or maybe vonAppen spit out a mouthful of Jello in front of Yoshida's date.
In case you're tuning in to the Rainbow soap opera at this late episode, here is a synopsis: vonAppen was shocked, appalled and miffed at the facilities, travel arrangements and other program deficiencies shortly after his arrival here to turn the beleaguered team around.
Usually, before you accept a job, it's a good idea to check out the particulars. But vonAppen had never been a head coach before so maybe he forgot - or Yoshida gave him the old end run on it.
Then Yoshida, who stuck his neck out to hire a career assistant and passed up several other strong candidates, started scratching his head and wondering "Why is he picking a fight with me when I'm trying to improve things as fast as possible, which is slow, at best, in Hawaii?"
THE really alarming part to vonAppen, though, is the lack of talent on the team he inherited - again, something you would think a coach would check out and realize upon entry.
This is also Yoshida's fault, according to vonAppen, since recruiting will be next to impossible with such second-rate facilities - such as a lack of a separate salad fork.
Now the decent local recruits, who already have been fleeing the islands on souped-up surfboards, are saying they will avoid the entire UH mess and prospects on the mainland might feel the same.
OK, Fred and Hugh, go to neutral corners. Let's call it a draw for now. Why?
You can't blame vonAppen for continually stamping his feet.
Even in his short tenure here, he is smart enough to realize that this is how things get done - or don't get done - in this state and at its university. And this is obviously a rebuilding season, so he shouldn't be held completely accountable for the poor showing, although the new staff sure hasn't shown much imagination.
Yoshida's hands are tied, but he should still roll over vonAppen's contract after the season. But he was right not to jump up and do it after an embarrassing defeat to San Jose State. As the top administrator of the athletic department, though, he should show stronger leadership.
In fairness to Yoshida, however, he is making progress on the realistic demands that vonAppen has made.
NOW it's vonAppen's turn to get out and recruit - to get some decent players in here. It's his job, so he should find a way to do it. And, despite the shortcomings, Honolulu isn't exactly Gary, Indiana.
I just hope vonAppen hasn't been too busy away from the practice field to realize that the next two opponents will come in here extremely overconfident, especially Wisconsin.
The seniors have busted their tails this season and deserve a chance, even if it is a slim one, at leaving with a burst of glory.
There's also a kid named Daniel Ho-Ching quietly sitting on the sidelines at practice each day. He has had more to worry about than charter flights, training tables, rollovers or even football itself.
As usual, a young person can put it all in better perspective than spoiled and immature adults.