Monday, December 2, 1996
Lindsey not sure he’ll stay
By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin
Don Lindsey spent a few minutes during halftime gazing out at Pearl Harbor from a secluded spot in the Aloha Stadium stands.The University of Hawaii defensive coordinator was only a few feet from his place in the press box, but miles away from where he knew the Rainbows' program needed to be.
Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne already had run around and through his Hawaii defense in the first half for a staggering 250 yards. He would eventually score four touchdowns in leading the Badgers' belittling 59-10 win.
As Lindsey turned and prepared for the second half, his eyes expressed an utter feeling of hopelessness. The resignation of another lopsided defeat was etched on every line of his expressive face. By game's end, his countenance was blank, dulled by an outcome that wasn't as close as the final score.
"I feel like a boxer must feel after he's had his brains beat out," Lindsey said as the 13 seniors were introduced for their traditional walk around the stadium.
"My eyes are bruised and battered, my soul has just been ripped out, so it would be unfair for me to say whether I will come back next year.
"(UH head coach) Fred (vonAppen) already has asked me to stay. I told him I would think about it, but I feel like I've aged 10 years in just four months. I've never, ever been around anything like this.
"To tell you the truth, I don't know why Fred would ask me back. Anybody can do what I have done. My goodness, we just gave up 600 yards. How could anyone do any worse?"
VonAppen already knows the answer to that question. Without Lindsey's savvy, it could have been a lot worse. As it was, the Rainbows finished second in defense to the Air Force Academy in the Pacific Division of the Western Athletic Conference, yielding 411.7 yards a game.
Players like Eddie Klaneski and Al Hunter will drop by Lindsey's office this week, imploring the veteran coordinator to stick it out.
"We're all going to go by this week and ask him to stay with us," Klaneski said. "We couldn't have done nearly as well without him. His game plans were really good.
"We just didn't always execute them like he drew them up. We need him here. We're hoping we can convince him to stay."
As for the rest of vonAppen's staff, don't look for an exodus from the assistants. They are committed to vonAppen and turning around this program.
VonAppen said he will meet with his assistants this week to discuss their performances. He also will meet with the remaining players on an individual basis.
He and his assistants will have to work hard to keep players academically eligible. It's also possible that several new players may decide to leave the program and try their luck elsewhere.
Free safety and return specialist Klaneski earned numerous awards given out by vonAppen at last night's Na Koa Booster Club banquet held at the Sheraton Waikiki. KLANESKI MVP
The junior out of Damien Memorial High was named the most valuable player, and received captain's awards for defense and special teams. He also captured Ben Yee's most inspirational award.
The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder played his first two seasons at slotback. This year, he switched to defense and wound up leading the team in tackles with 114 and interceptions with five.
As a punt returner, Klaneski generated 165 yards. His final interception of the season Saturday night against Wisconsin was returned 67 yards for the Rainbows' only touchdown in the lopsided loss to the Badgers. Klaneski also was the only Hawaii player named first-team All-WAC last week.
Seniors Glenn Freitas, Demetreus Henderson, Carlton Oswalt and Mike Petersen were all honored as four-year lettermen. Freitas also earned the captain's award on offense.
Henderson captured the defensive award for the Warrior Club. The offensive winner was wide receiver Jason Mane and the special teams winner was Fred Lau.
The scout team awards went to Quincy Jacobs on offense, Scott Sherwood on defense and Damien Arafiles on special teams.
Junior Chris Shinnick was named the team's scholar-athlete. He was selected to the College Football Association's all-academic team last month with a 3.8 GPA in communications.
Klaneski was the only UH player to finish in the top 50 of any major national statistical category. INSIDE THE NUMBERS
He was No. 28 in the country in interceptions with five, averaging .42 a game. He just missed finishing in the top 50 in punt returns. The 50th-ranked player averaged 9.26 yards a return. Klaneski came in at 9.2.
Hawaii didn't finish in the top 50 of any team category.