Full Court Press
IF Kevin Lempa heard the whispers that his job was in jeopardy last January, he chose to tune out those conversations. Lempa leaves the whispers
to everyone elseInstead, this assistant coach from back East began a break-it-down-and-reassemble approach used by the best mechanics. Videotape became his life, spring and fall camp workouts his passions.
This is not a unit led by current second-year pro Jeff Ulbrich, who's the commander-in-chief on defense for the San Francisco 49ers. There's not a Quincy LeJay at corner holding the NCAA record (for about a week) for most interception returns for touchdowns (three) in a single season.
When Greg McMackin left unexpectedly to be the defensive coordinator for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, most of the heart-and-soul on defense bowed out with him. What was left turned out to be a bigger disappointment than the 3-9 season of 2000.
Last year, expectations were high on defense, but the yield was low for Lempa. His first tour of duty as defensive coordinator was inauspicious at best. The Warriors gave up 33 points (99th nationally) and 211 rushing yards (No. 105 in the country) a game.
There was no real leadership on the field. Linebackers Rinda Brooks and Pisa Tinoisamoa didn't blend. Neither handled the intricacies of the middle as well as Ulbrich had, leaving the Warriors vulnerable to the punishing runs between the tackles.
What was needed was a tough guy, strong enough to handle the blocking angles inside, smart enough to know when to bounce to the outside or drop back in coverage, and quick enough to pursue a running back from the hash mark to the sidelines.
Enter Chris Brown, a guy just a little undersized for an end, especially with La'anui Correa, Travis Laboy, Joe Correia and Kevin Jackson waiting in the wings. Moving Brown to the middle and shifting Tinoisamoa to a much more suitable outside spot has paid huge dividends.
So has moving Robert Grant to safety. His size, speed and durability are perfect complements for injury-prone starters Nate Jackson and Jacob Espiau. The local boy, safety tandem continues to knock heads. But without Grant's rapid progression, coupled with the play of Lance Samuseva and Mike Iosua up front, it's unlikely Hawaii would have won five in a row.
Much like McMackin's 1999 unit that made big plays, including returning five interceptions for touchdowns, the 2001 squad is forcing the action. Hawaii has procured 21 turnovers in eight games and any coach will tell you that's how you win.
"It started a long time ago, not just five weeks ago," Lempa said of the defensive turnaround. "This started last January. The attitude has changed. We're a different team."
WHICH BRINGS UP AN even more intriguing angle. Sources said last summer that Jones contacted St. Louis School head coach Cal Lee to come on board next season. Lee, more concerned these days to be in the state showdown with Kahuku, was said to be interested, but it had to be a high-profile position. After all, this is the 18-time ILH champion you're talking about.
Lempa's revival would seem to have foiled those possible plans, leaving Jones in a tricky situation. Like Lee, he has the most exciting part of the season in front of him. But once done, one of the more interesting offseasons since Fred vonAppen was let go, awaits those in an athletic department that figures to undergo a few alterations as well.
But Lempa doesn't figure to be one of them.
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.
Email Paul: parnett@starbulletin.com.