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Full-Court Press
UNIVERSITY of Hawaii assistant Ron Lee returned to practice last night, receiving hugs from the coaches and players, alike. Ron Lee returns
to UH practice"It feels so good to be outside here again," Lee said. "I missed it more than I thought I would. I have to be careful that I don't get hit or run over because the surgery is still pretty fresh."
Lee will go back to the doctor on Wednesday to see how his triple bypass heart surgery is holding up. He suffered a heart attack three weeks ago and had the surgery several days later.
"I may know then if I can come back to work full time," Lee said. "I won't be going to UTEP with them this weekend. The doctors say it's too soon."
Warriors head coach June Jones said it was good to have Lee back. He didn't want to hurry Lee's return, but said it was good to see him back on the football field with the players and coaches.
"He is a key part of this team," Jones said. "He understands this offense so well. We miss his expertise on the sidelines."
Lee returned last week to watch film on UTEP. He will take it slow, just to make sure his recovery is a good one.
"I don't want to rush things," Lee said. "But let me tell you, it's great to be back."
Jackson back -- sort of
Free safety Nate Jackson returned to practice last night, but most of his work was as a receiver for the scout team.The stress fracture in his foot hasn't healed enough for him to make the trip to UTEP this weekend. Jones doesn't want to speculate on his return, but he is hopeful he'll be on the field against Texas Christian in three weeks.
"You can't rush this kind of injury," Jones said. "We'll have to see how he comes along before making a final decision for this week."
Everyone else appears fit for duty for Hawaii's league opener.
Gilbride shifts to safety
Quarterback Kevin Gilbride has shifted to free safety to try to shore up a position that lacks depth. But Jones said the move wasn't a permanent one."He just wants to helps us if we need it," Jones said last night. "He's not giving up being a quarterback."
UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa is concerned because Jackson is down and backup Jacob Espiau is dinged himself.
"If Jacob goes out, we're very thin there," Lempa said. "We tried to put Tavis Campbell in there vs. Portland State, but his shoulder is still bothering him.
"Kevin is pretty good back there. He and Sean Butts are working hard to get better, but both of those guys are still learning the position."
Butts played wideout his first two years in the program. He shifted to free safety during fall camp because of his speed and ability to tackle on special teams.
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.