With the promotion of graduate assistant Tyson Helton, the University of Hawaii football team goes into this season with a full coaching staff. Helton promoted
to coordinate UH
special teamsBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comHelton fills the position vacated when special teams coach Dennis McKnight decided not to return due to business and family commitments in San Diego.
Helton will coordinate the special teams, which will be coached by committee, head coach June Jones said. Jones said defensive backs coach Rich Miano, running backs coach Wes Suan and Helton will shoulder most the responsibility.
"We'll do a better job than when Dennis was here," Jones said.
Helton will also continue to help Dan Morrison with the quarterbacks.
"(Helton's) a great kid, a great young coach," Jones said. "He helped us out a lot last year and I'm sure he will do the same this year."
Helton, 24, was a part-time starting quarterback at the University of Houston and also played special teams as a holder. Hawaii is his first coaching job.
"This is a great opportunity. You can't beat it," Helton said. "As a young coach it's an honor to be working with a coach like Coach Jones."
Football, baseball, or both: Jones said he isn't sure if quarterback Kevin Gilbride will return to the football team, but that he will play baseball again. Gilbride, a junior this season, does not appear in this year's football media guide. He played in three games as a quarterback last season, completing 1 of 3 passes for 19 yards.
Gilbride, an outfielder in baseball, batted .205 in 83 at-bats last season.
"I talked to him last week and he hasn't decided if he's going to play football," head baseball coach Mike Trapasso said. "I told him there's no hurry on our end and we'll see him when we see him."
Defensive back and outfielder Nate Jackson, a senior this year, also played both sports last season. Incoming freshman quarterback Jeff Rhode might pitch for the Rainbows.
"June's told me about (Rhode) on a couple occasions," Trapasso said.
Like father ... : The Warriors expect big things from redshirt freshman defensive end Travis Laboy, son of former UH standout Cliff Laboy.
Jones and Cliff Laboy were UH teammates in 1974.
"Then when I transferred (to Portland State) he sacked me a bunch of times," Jones said. "Travis is big and faster than his father was."
The Freak and the freshman: Punter Mat McBriar -- nicknamed "The Freak" by teammates -- averaged 38.3 yards a kick as a freshman last year. McBriar spent the off-season improving his technique by working with fellow Australian Darren Bennett, the San Diego Chargers' all-pro punter.
Redshirt freshman Justin Ayat will get the first look at place-kicker this fall.
"He's young and will have to grow into it, but he's a tough guy," Jones said. "We'll find out about him when he has no time on the clock and he has to make it."
From Griz Country: Montana head coach Joe Glenn on playing UH: "Hawaii is a good football team that suffered a lot of injuries last year, especially on the defensive side of the football."
From Warrior Country: Jones on playing Montana: "They're a great team. The way we both throw the ball, the game might last until 2 a.m."
Here and there: Jones said former running back James Fenderson, who is trying out for the New Orleans Saints, "has been the talk of their camp and is expected to make it." ... As of yesterday, the NCAA still has not handed down a decision on running back Afatia Thompson's appeal for another year of eligibility. ... When asked his biggest concern for this year's team, Jones quickly answered, "depth on the defensive line."