Ex-UH assistant Dillon
gets job at junior college

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Former Hawaii recruiting coordinator and assistant Don Dillon is the new head coach at American River Junior College in Sacramento, Calif.

Dillon becomes the first coach off Fred vonAppen's staff to land a job. Sources say Dillon and former defensive coordinator Tom Williams were the only two coaches recommended by athletic director Hugh Yoshida to June Jones.

The new head coach for the Rainbows will probably not hire anyone off of vonAppen's staff. Several coaches are recruiting on the mainland, including Dillon. VonAppen said yesterday they will be back in Hawaii soon.

"I'm sure June is going to want to get the recruiting under his own umbrella," vonAppen said. "I'm not even sure he'll be interested in the same people we were. That's up to him.

"As for Don, I couldn't be happier. He was very excited to get the job. He was a head coach in high school in that area before coming here. He's happy to be going back to that part of the world."

Several Hawaii coaches were cleaning out their offices yesterday, including vonAppen. He said no deal has been reached in how his buyout will be handled.

"I think I'd like to do it like Bob Wagner had his done," vonAppen said. "I still need a monthly income to feed my family and pay the bills."

ACADEMIC PROBLEMS: As is often the case in a transition like this one, Hawaii has several players on the border of academic failure. VonAppen said his coaches were trying to keep that monitored, but under the circumstances, it's difficult.

"We just aren't able to keep a close enough eye on them at this critical juncture," vonAppen said. "We don't want the same thing to happen to June that happened to us when we lost 22 players to academics that first year."

Three players on the critical list are linebacker Jeff Ulbrich, offensive lineman Kynan Forney and freshman tight end James Bessard. Bessard has a chance to stay eligible, but it will be more difficult for Ulbrich and Forney.

"Both of those guys are junior college players and it's tougher for them because of the percentage rules that come into play for upperclassmen," vonAppen said. "You have to have so many core subjects completed your junior and senior seasons."

Forney and Ulbrich had off-season surgeries performed by the UH medical staff. Forney had problems in both shoulders and Ulbrich had reconstructive surgery on his knee.

AWARD WINNER: Arizona's Chris McAlister is the winner of the annual Mosi Tatupu Special Teams Award, it was announced earlier this week on Maui.

McAlister began his season with a 100-yard kickoff return against Hawaii. The defensive back for the No. 6 Wildcats was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and was selected to several All-America teams.

He finished with 16 career interceptions and set a team record with 15 pass breakups this season. He is a key reason Arizona finished with 11 victories and will be taking part in this year's Holiday Bowl.

The 1998 Mosi Tatupu Award will be given to McAlister at next month's Hooters Hula Bowl. Last year's winner, Brock Olivo of Missouri, plays for the San Francisco 49ers.

BRECKTERFIELD HONORED: Oregon State defensive end Inoke Breckterfield, a former Damien High School football star, is one of two winners of the Morris Trophy, which is presented annually to the outstanding offensive and defensive linemen in the Pacific 10 Conference.

Offensive honors this year went to guard Yasef Scott of Arizona.

Breckterfield, a senior from Honolulu, was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection and an honorable-mention All-American pick.

He set Oregon State career records for quarterback sacks (191/2) and tackles for losses (551/2) as a four-year starter for the Beavers.

---

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu