Monday, June 7, 1999

Diaz to spend more
time with family

Star-Bulletin staff

Skippa Diaz, the colorful, gravelly voiced football coach who won more than 100 games at Waialua and Farrington high schools, confirmed last night he is putting down his clipboard.

"Gonna spend plenty time with the wife and kids," said Diaz, who spent the last 16 seasons with the Governors.

Diaz led the Governors to postseason play 13 times and the Oahu Prep Bowl in 1990.

He compiled a 107-95-5 record during his career.

Diaz was an assistant coach at Mililani from 1976 to 1981.

Asked what his future might hold, Diaz said, "Mostly spending time with the people I love."

Diaz said he assisted with spring football and was willing to help his coaches make the transition in preseason. But he would not speak about a possible return to coaching at a later date.

Last year, Diaz said he was considering a run for public office but decided to stay on as head coach another year instead.

He has been an active supporter of Gov. Ben Cayetano, a Farrington alumnus, and there have been occasional rumors that Cayetano would tap Diaz for an appointment in the administration.

In 1995, Diaz survived a life-threatening illness and began an intense program to reduce his weight. He dropped from a weight of over 350 pounds to about 250.

Diaz's successor is expected to be a faculty member. Speculation centers on assistants Scott Werkmeister, David Pila and Harold Tanaka.