WARRIOR FOOTBALL
Warriors could start spring 1 coach short
Last year, Hawaii got a new defensive coordinator during spring football practice. Jerry Glanville spent the first couple of days observing drills while the red tape was sorted out for him to be officially hired.
This year, the Warriors' new defensive line coach could be in a similar position.
Vantz Singletary resigned last week to take a job at Tennessee-Chattanooga after seven seasons at UH. Coach June Jones wants to have his replacement ready for the March 21 start of spring practice, but that might be logistically impossible -- the closing date for applications is March 17, according to UH's posting for the $50,160 to $90,288 salaried position.
"The applications are coming in," Jones said. "But the process takes about three weeks."
One of the top candidates, however, will be in camp anyway. Jeff Reinebold, a defense graduate assistant last year, is a former CFL head coach and has coached longer than most other GAs have been alive.
Reinebold worked extensively with the UH defensive ends last fall, and directed some of the special teams.
Jones said he cannot talk about candidates, but did acknowledge that Reinebold did a good job last year and is among those applying.
Former UH and Denver Broncos defensive tackle Maa Tanuvasa said he is interested, but will only pursue the job if approached.
"I would be happy to sit down and listen and see what they're looking for," Tanuvasa said. "Most of my experience is in the 4-3 defense, and the 3-4 (UH's primary alignment) is a lot different.
Tanuvasa is an assistant coach at Mililani, his high school alma mater.
With Singletary's departure, five assistants from Jones' original 1999 staff remain: George Lumpkin (outside linebackers), Ron Lee (receivers), Rich Miano (defensive backs), Dan Morrison (quarterbacks) and Wes Suan (offensive line).