IF the University of Hawaii wants to turn its disastrous football program around, the next coach must be able to do two things: Tommy Lee would
be a wise choice
for the ‘Bows1. Keep players home or bring back a few that should never have gotten away;
2. Put fannies back in the seats at Aloha Stadium.
Well munch on this scenario.
UH turns not to Cal Lee (despite Joe Moore's endorsement), but to his older brother, Tommy, offensive coordinator for the University of Utah.
Once being named the Rainbows' new head coach, Tommy Lee convinces his promising young quarterback, Darnell Arceneaux, the player they call the "Honolulu Houdini" in Salt Lake City, to transfer and play for the Rainbows.
Ute teammates like linebacker Kautai Olevao and wide receiver Donny Utu decide to return home with Arceneaux.
St. Louis all-state linebacker Joe Siofele and other players from the roster of 13-time Oahu Prep Bowl champions suddenly decide to bypass mainland offers. They are convinced to join Tommy Lee and brother, Cal, who will become UH defensive coordinator.
IT'S the best of all possibilities for UH.
With speculation starting to focus on Tommy Lee, I called Arceneaux last night and asked him how he'd feel if his mentor was hired by UH.
"If he leaves, it would be like a family member leaving," he said. "When I met him, I knew we had a special bond. He understands a football player's life and what he goes through."
Arceneaux went on to say, "A lot of players might think about coming back."
Would the Honolulu Houdini be one of those players?
Arceneaux stunned me when he said it's possible.
Arceneaux, whose heart is still so much in the islands that he flew in last weekend just to watch St. Louis beat Kahuku, 28-20, in the Prep Bowl, can't close the door on coming back home.
Think of it. One of the best football players UH ever let slip away could come back here to play if the Lee brothers were installed atop the local program.
Now that in itself is worth a boost in season ticket sales.
But Arceneaux reminded me this is all nothing more than speculation. He is happy with Utah and head coach Ron McBride, and he is not at all ready to ask out of his contract.
RIGHT now, his future is there and the Utes look to a full healthy season from the Kordell Stewart prototype who has never lost a game he's started in college.
Arceneaux said he had always wanted to be a Rainbow. But he was disappointed when no major effort was mounted to recruit him a few years ago.
Most recall how slippery, agile, speedy, and intelligent he was when he was leading St. Louis to three straight Prep Bowl titles. Well, he's even better now. A lot better, and making people believe he could play on Sunday.
He'd have to sit out a year coming here, but that might just be what he needs to completely heal the dislocated shoulder injury he suffered this season.
Arceneaux's sense of loyalty is deep.
It would be extremely difficult for him to part with either Lee or McBride.
But there's an even stronger loyalty factor in Arceneaux's life.
He said that he would strongly consider transferring if his mother expressed a desire to see him play at home in his senior year.
Of course, Arceneaux might wind up graduating from Utah, after all.
But one comment he made about Tommy Lee might be worth a lot to UH. In fact, this might be the best recommendation any candidate could get for the UH cauldron:
"He loves to defy odds."
Pat Bigold has covered sports for daily newspapers
in Hawaii and Massachusetts since 1978.