[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
It didn't take the current national crisis for Fitz Hill to develop an appreciation for freedom. Spartans’ coach
battle-testedBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"We take so much for granted in our country," the San Jose State football coach said. "Something as simple as taking a hot shower is very sentimental to me. There was a time when I wasn't able to do that for quite a while."
That was a decade ago, when Hill served in Desert Storm as a U.S. Army transportation officer.
"They can come get me again if they want now," Hill said. "I know what those guys are going through over there on foreign soil."
This Saturday, Hill leads the Spartans (2-5, 2-2 WAC) as they take on Hawaii's Warriors (5-2, 4-2) at Aloha Stadium.
"I tell our guys there are direct correlations between the military and football, how you prepare and execute, the planning and the leadership," he said.
Hill, 37, is one of three Division I-A head football coaches with doctorate degrees. He is also among five African-Americans to hold such a post. Hill said the latter distinction puts him "under a microscope."
He said he feels a responsibility to be successful in order to open doors for other black coaches.
"My responsibility is like any other coach, to graduate athletes and win games and help men become better men," he said. "I'm just another guy, but I am under a microscope. I can handle the scrutiny. It's important for me and the other four to do well so people don't attach unsuccessful programs to African-American coaches."
Mr. Inspirational: San Jose State junior safety Neil Parry is on the Spartans' travel squad despite having his right leg amputated below the knee after suffering a compound fracture in last year's Texas-El Paso game.
Parry works out with the team but has not participated in a contact scrimmage. He assists special teams coordinator Tom Quinn with charts during games.
On the line: UH offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh praised the play of right tackle Uriah Moenoa in Friday night's 38-34 victory over Fresno State, though casual fans might only remember the freshman's illegal-motion penalty on the winning drive.
"Uriah stepped it up on Friday night and had a real nice game," Cavanaugh said.
The coach added he will be even better if he sheds a few pounds.
"Uriah right now is close to 6-3, 320-something. That's being nice," Cavanaugh said. "I'd like to see him really grind. I told him that and he thought I meant eat. If he gets to 305 you're going to see a very special football player."
As for the overall play of the line, Fresno State got to quarterback Nick Rolovich for four sacks. Still, Cavanaugh was generally pleased.
"I think we took about 75 to 80 percent of the snaps," he said. "Sometimes they've got to get the lollipop, too."
Short yardage: KCCN-1420 will replay its radio broadcast of UH's victory over Fresno State tomorrow at noon. ... According to a fan poll conducted by the WAC's Web site this week, 28 percent choose Boise State to win the conference championship, 27 percent pick Louisiana Tech and 26 percent think Hawaii will win it.
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