Hawaii Beat
Star-Bulletin staff
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2 assistants join Jones at SMU
At least two assistant coaches from the highest-scoring offense in major college football last season are joining former Hawaii head coach June Jones at Southern Methodist University.
Warriors running backs coach Wes Suan and quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison -- both of whom coached with Jones since his first year at UH, in 1999 -- leave for Dallas tomorrow.
"We'll have all the regular orientation stuff and then it will be hitting that recruiting hard," Suan said.
Suan also coached offensive line for a season with the Warriors.
Morrison was instrumental in the development of UH record-setting quarterbacks Tim Chang and Colt Brennan, as well as several others, including Dan Robinson and Nick Rolovich, who each led Hawaii to a nine-win season.
Coach search committee named
The members of the selection committee for the new head football coach at Hawaii were announced yesterday by chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw.
"We will move quickly to select the best possible candidate to serve as our head football coach." Hinshaw said in a news release. The new coach must be someone who can lead a smooth transition for current team members, who appreciates the special connection between UH athletics and the people of Hawaii, and who will continue to produce successful student-athletes."
Committee co-chairs will be associate athletic director Carl Clapp and chancellor Hinshaw. Other members are:
Tony Guerrero, chair of Ahahui Koa Anuenue and vice chair of First Hawaiian Bank; Debra Ishii, executive assistant to chancellor Hinshaw; Adam Leonard, current member of the football team; Dee Jay Mailer, CEO of the Kamehameha Schools; Peter Nicholson, UHM professor and faculty athletics representative; John K. Tsui, chair of Towne Realty Development and former president and chief operating officer of First Hawaiian Bank; Artie Wilson, partner and Realtor, Prudential Locations.
8 UH players in today's Hula Bowl
A total of eight former Hawaii players will be participating in today's Hula Bowl.
In addition to Jason Rivers, C.J. Hawthorne, Hercules Satele, Michael Lafaele, Jake Patek and Larry Sauafea listed on in the initial rosters, defensive back Myron Newberry and lineman Amani Purcell will also compete in the game.
All eight will be trying to improve their stock in the upcoming NFL Draft, but that isn't the ultimate motivation for at least one ex-Warrior as they play for the final time at Aloha Stadium.
Jenkins is Gatorade runner of the year
Leilehua junior Bryce Jenkins was named the 2007-08 Gatorade Hawaii boys cross country runner of the year yesterday.
Jenkins defended his Honolulu Marathon/HHSAA individual state championship title in November with a 16:07.97 time, outrunning his nearest competitor by 30 seconds and leading his Mules to the boys team championship.
Jenkins finished 50th in the boys seeded race at the Foot Locker West Regional last month.
As Hawaii's honoree, Jenkins is a finalist for the Gatorade national boys cross country runner of the year award to be announced later this month.
The Gatorade award recognizes each state's best high school cross country runners and honors athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the race course.
UH to honor WAC champions
Four events have been scheduled to honor the University of Hawaii's three WAC championship squads in the recently completed fall season.
UH's football, women's volleyball and soccer teams all won conference championships.
The teams will be at the state capitol on Wednesday and will get their trophies at halftime of Thursday's men's basketball game against Fresno State.
After that, they will participate in a "Parade of Champions" in Waikiki on Jan. 20 and will eat lunch with the Governor on Jan. 22.