The KITV (Channel 4) sports director and former University of Hawaii player contacted Dave Iverson, president of Broadcast Ink Sports Productions Inc., yesterday about his decision.

According to a source close to the situation, former UH player and NFL safety Rich Miano will do the color with play-by-play announcer Bobby Curran.

"It feels kind of weird not doing it, but I decided it was time to give someone else an opportunity," Ching said. "I just decided I needed to focus on my job at KITV.

"Bob Hogue stepping down didn't play a big role in it. I didn't think I could prepare myself the way I wanted to. I think this decision is best for everybody."

Ching got his break in the business as a color man on radio with Curran in 1991. He has been the sports director at KITV since 1995.

IN FULL GEAR: The first day of full pads for the Hawaii football team proved the adage that the defense is always ahead of the offense this time of the year.

Defensive coordinator Don Lindsey had to be buoyed by yesterday's performance, especially the first unit. A lackluster evening practice on Wednesday left Lindsey in a full-blown rage that could be heard all over Barbers Point.

"We were pathetic," senior free safety Eddie Klaneski said. "Coach called us on it, so we came out this morning fully prepared to take it to the offense."

And that they did. Rarely did No. 2 quarterback Dan Robinson, who was in for an ill Tim Carey, have a wide-open receiver or ample time to throw the football.

Granted, offensive coordinator Wally English called several plays over and over in an attempt to polish his designs and schemes, giving the defense the edge of knowing what was coming next.

But even so, the secondary stayed inside the receivers' shadows, and the linemen and linebackers kept Robinson on the move, while bottling up the running backs.

"Gosh, I don't get too excited in fall camp, except yesterday we were the pits," Lindsey said after the intense three-hour practice. "We were just horrible after yesterday afternoon's practice.

"We didn't participate in anything with any enthusiasm or emotion. So we had a little discussion about that, but it was much better today in full pads.

"Defensive guys don't like to practice in shorts. They don't get to hit anybody. So today was good. We may wane some tomorrow, you know how that is, but today we were pretty sharp and intense."

You won't get any argument from English. He felt the offense had its moments, but they were pretty few and far between. Not having his top quarterback in camp contributed to that.

Carey caught the same virus that roommate and redshirt freshman quarterback John Gurasich had for several days. The Texan returned today, but Carey was still sidelined, leaving English in somewhat of a lurch.

"You know, it's always ragged during the first day of pads," English said. "It's like that guy, who practiced on the tee, then went out to play his first game of golf. It doesn't always go exactly how you think it's going to go.

"Not having Tim hurts him, but it hurts us, too. When one of your top two quarterbacks is down, and you have to play with one of the down-the-line quarterbacks, they're not prepared as much or experienced as much.

"We really miss him. Fortunately, we've got all our offense in now. We're miles ahead of last spring."

Robinson took the majority of the snaps, with some intermittent help from sophomore Josh Skinner. Even he was a little frustrated because usually, the defense knew what was coming.

"They kind of lined up a certain way when they knew a certain play was called," Robinson said. "I wanted to say, 'Come on, guys, give us a break.' But that's how it goes sometimes."

DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE DAY: Linebacker Brian Chapman taught offensive tackle Andy Phillips a valuable lesson in a pass-rushing drill. Chapman came off the edge, but instead of trying to run around Phillips, he went straight at him. Phillips was caught a little off-guard and went down in a heap as Chapman ran right over and through him to make the quarterback sack.

INJURY REPORT: Center Shane Oliveira missed yesterday's practice to give his ankles a rest. He will return to full contact today. Wide receiver Jerimi Bourland missed practice with a sprained ankle. Quarterback Tim Carey skipped his second consecutive morning practice with a stomach virus, but did participate in the afternoon drill. Running back Morrie Roe also was ill at the end of yesterday's morning workout.

TRANSACTION WIRE: Stanford transfer Jauron Pigg still hasn't heard anything on his petition to the NCAA. All players who reported to camp are still in good shape academic-wise. UH head coach Fred vonAppen did say that Franklin Yearby-Saunders had officially flunked out.

WEATHER REPORT: It was another mild day by Barbers Point standards. The temperature stayed out of the 90s with the high coming in at a chilly 86.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "From a defensive standpoint, shorts and sweats don't do anything for you. You improve your tan, but when you put pads on, that's when you start to improve your defense."

-- Defensive coordinator Don Lindsey