HAWAII FOOTBALL
Suan in for another switch
Hawaii offensive line coach Wes Suan is moving back to the position he coached from 1999 to 2004 -- the running backs.
He will also continue to work with the offensive line, as will Dennis McKnight, head coach June Jones said yesterday.
Mouse Davis, who was the running backs coach last year, will continue to have input with that group, while also coordinating the special teams.
"It's good, it's an easier transition for me than when I went to offensive line from running backs last year," Suan said yesterday, on the eve of fall-camp reporting day for the Warriors players. "Both jobs are very enjoyable, and this is best for the team right now."
Suan replaced Mike Cavanaugh as offensive line coach last year when Cavanaugh left for Oregon State.
McKnight, who was UH special teams coach and offensive line assistant in 1999 and 2000, recently re-joined the staff as a graduate assistant. He will have a big role with special teams this year, but he won't be alone.
"We're gonna spread it out between Dennis, Jeff (defensive line coach Reinebold), Jerry (defensive coordinator Glanville) and I," Davis said. "All the guys will help."
The 74-year-old Davis -- credited as the forefather of the run-and-shoot offense and one of the inventors of arena football -- said he will probably retire after this season.
"You never say never, but this very well could be (his last season)," said Davis, who coached Jones at Portland State and teamed with him on several pro staffs. "I like the situation. I like the coaches and the players, but it might be time."
The Warriors coaches will continue to tap into Davis' expertise for as long as they can.
"He's the legend, the guru," Suan said. "He has lots of insight on offensive line and running back, so he'll still work with Dennis and I like he always has."
Players on hold: Outside linebacker Amani Purcell and wide receiver Ian Sample -- two potential starters -- were still not cleared to join fall camp as of last night.
Purcell is still attending summer school at UH and needs to complete a transfer process from Penn State.
Sample was still awaiting the outcome of an appeal to the NCAA for an additional season of eligibility due to a family situation that kept him out of football three years ago.
The status of sophomore running back/linebacker Mario Cox was also undetermined. Sources said Cox will likely not be available for camp, but plans to enroll in school this semester.
Cox played in eight games last year, carrying 16 times for 71 yards.
Right mind-set: Times have changed for Tyler Graunke.
One year ago, he was the No. 1 quarterback headed into camp.
Now, after a spectacular 2005 season for Colt Brennan, Graunke is No. 2 and unlikely to regain the starting job, barring injury.
The sophomore from Tucson, Ariz., has bulked up to 205 pounds on his 6-foot frame. He said that doesn't mean he's looking for a position switch.
"Quarterback is still where I want to be," Graunke said. "I know I'm going to have my chances to help the team out this year. I don't know what that will be exactly, but I'm up for it, whatever it is. I'm just going to have a good attitude. I'm out here to have fun."
Graunke started against USC and Michigan State last year. He also played extensively later in the season against Utah State. Graunke completed 28 of 56 passes for 306 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.
Downs and out: Utah State linebacker Steven Downs, one of five Aggies recently cited by police with marijuana possession, has been dismissed for "repeated violations" of team rules.
The brief statement released yesterday by coach Brent Guy did not describe the violations. But spokesman Mike Strauss said the drug case was the last straw for Downs.
"Coach Guy is willing to give people a second chance," Strauss said. "If they do something again, he's pretty quick to pull the trigger. This is not Steven Downs' first violation."
Downs, 19, was projected to be a backup linebacker. The Anaheim, Calif., native had four years of eligibility remaining after not playing as a freshman last season.
Downs and four teammates were given misdemeanor marijuana citations July 22 after police responded to complaints of drug use at a Logan apartment.
Guy said the players quickly told him about the incident. The other four -- Kendall Fisher, Marcus Cross, Brennan McFadden and Ryan Tonnemacher -- have been punished and won't miss any games, Strauss said.
This is their first violation of team rules, he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report