WARRIOR FOOTBALL
L.A. Harbor QB may follow Bryant to Hawaii
It's been nearly 40 years since George Lumpkin went to school and played football at Los Angeles Harbor College. But the Hawaii assistant coach's ties to his alma mater appear to remain strong.
Lumpkin still has enough pull to recruit there. The Warriors got a commitment from cornerback Jeramy Bryant over the weekend. And Bryant hopes to be joined by a teammate, quarterback Andrew Trudnowski.
As letter of intent day looms a week from today, the incoming Hawaii class was without a commitment from a quarterback as of last night.
"He's actually supposed to know pretty soon," Bryant said of Trudnowski. "He's good. We're both a little under the radar. Andrew because he's a true freshman who came out of nowhere. Me, because I tore my ACL."
Trudnowski visited UH last weekend. Another junior college quarterback, Brent Rausch (College of the Desert, Calif.), may make an official visit this weekend.
The Warriors thought they had two quarterbacks committed last month in high schooler Bo Levi Mitchell (Katy, Texas) and JC transfer Kevin Craft (Mt. San Antonio College, Calif.), but Mitchell followed June Jones when he left UH to coach at SMU, and Craft committed to UCLA.
UH returns experienced backups Tyler Graunke and Inoke Funaki, as well as senior Jake Santos, and freshmen Kiran Kepo'o and Shane Austin, who did not play last season.
Hawaii coach Greg McMackin cannot speak of specific recruits. But he said the Warriors "want to get a quarterback."
He expects 12 to 15 visitors this weekend, and will have about three to five scholarships remaining to offer.
Lumpkin and quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich were in California yesterday recruiting, reportedly making home visits.
Rausch joins Kahuku safety Shiloah Te'o and Kalaheo receiver Bruce Andrews among the players expected to tour Manoa this weekend.
New hires done for now
The Warriors have one opening left on the coaching staff, but McMackin doesn't plan on filling it immediately.
"After recruiting, and before spring ball," McMackin said. "We will hire one more guy, but I'm not in a hurry. It will be an offensive position coach. We can make sure the guy will be a perfect fit."
Ikaika Malloe, announced as defensive tackles coach yesterday, will be the special teams coordinator, McMackin said.
"He and I will get together on the philosophy," McMackin said. "He has a good philosophy, but we still need to sit down and talk."
The head coach hinted that the Warriors might be more aggressive in areas such as attempting to block punts.
"Everything we do is attacking, offensively and defensively," McMackin said. "So why not on special teams?"
McMackin will officially announce coordinators and job titles of holdover coaches.
Cal Lee, Ron Lee, George Lumpkin and Rich Miano are the holdovers. Cal Lee is expected to be named defensive coordinator, Ron Lee offensive coordinator, George Lumpkin linebackers coach and Rich Miano secondary coach. Lumpkin and Miano will also likely receive assistant or associate head coach titles.
Island tie
Bryant's mother is from Guam, and he said that will help him adapt to the island lifestyle.
"I think my mom had a lot to do with (committing to UH). She said, 'That's your roots.' I loved it as soon as I got off the plane."
The 5-foot-9, 177-pound Bryant was joined by two other California JC commitments on Sunday: receiver Mike Tinoco (6-2, 195, Saddleback) and cornerback Chris Black (5-11, 170, College of the Canyons).
The incoming recruit class now has six potential cornerbacks. Two-year starters Myron Newberry and Gerard Lewis completed their eligibility with the Sugar Bowl. McMackin said everyone will get a look, but seniors Ryan Mouton and Guyton Galdeira and junior J.P. Davis are the returnees with the most experience.