Thursday, December 17, 1998
Suan may be
’Bows offensive
coordinator
QB Fred Salanoa, who also
By Paul Arnett
committed last year, says he'll
play for Hawaii
Star-BulletinNew Hawaii head football coach June Jones may not be in his office just yet, but that doesn't mean things aren't happening for the Rainbows.
Assistant Wes Suan said this morning that he will likely hold the title of offensive coordinator, but added that Jones would probably be calling the plays.
"I was the offensive coordinator at Linfield College, and I think that's going to be my job description here," Suan said today during a brief press conference. "Whether that's the title I get, I don't know, but I know helping June getting the game plan ready, practice scripts, scouting reports, I think that's going to be the job description."
Suan isn't sure which position he will coach. He was the offensive coordinator at Linfield College last year.During his 20-year career at Linfield, Suan has worked with the quarterbacks, running backs, and offensive and defensive lines. Suan did say that even if he is given the coordinator title, that Jones would still be heavily involved in the offense.
"I'm sure June will be handling that phase of it, but I see us all working together as a staff each week to get a game plan in place," Suan said. "I'll do whatever he wants me to do."
If Jones is coaching the quarterbacks, then it's likely he'll have a local product under center.
A source confirmed yesterday that former Radford High School quarterback Fred Salanoa said he wants to return to the Rainbows' program.
Salanoa verbally committed to the Rainbows last February, but it was contingent on him being academically sound by the fall. He reportedly missed his eligibility by one class.
In 1997, he led all junior college quarterbacks with 3,398 yards and 38 touchdowns. He completed 240 of 403 passes.
Former UH recruiting coordinator Don Dillon said that Salanoa not gaining his eligibility was the single biggest factor for Hawaii's offensive struggles last year.
"The offense we put in last spring was designed for Fred," Dillon said.
"If we had Fred under center, our problems wouldn't have been nearly as great."
Salanoa said last February that his family was the main reason he wanted to play for the Rainbows. If Salanoa becomes academically sound, he will have three years to play three.
In other UH news, Jones' assistant Rich Miano passed his NCAA recruiting test. He and UH assistant coach George Lumpkin will be able to visit local prospects for a couple of days before the December recruiting period ends.
"Obviously, I can't mention recruits by name, but I think everybody has a pretty good idea who they are," Miano said. "We think we still have a shot at some guys, who might have thought about leaving before."
One of them is top local running back Joe Igber, who is still reportedly interested in Hawaii if the Rainbows are interested in him. Igber wants to be an architect and the fact UH offers this course of study could work in the Rainbows' favor. California is interested in the Iolani School standout as well.
Miano also said that Hawaii athletic director Hugh Yoshida is trying to get a plan in place to repair the grass fields.
Local booster Alec Waterhouse already has said he will donate whatever money is necessary to get the fields in place. Yoshida told Miano that figure could be near $500,000.
"We're thinking about extending the field all the way to the mountain," Miano said. "One plan would be for two 80-yard grass fields with the option to build a third one if needed.
"This is the kind of commitment this program needs to be a major player in college football. If we do this right, I have no doubt we'll be a better team sooner than many people may think."
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