WAILUKU >> The Aina team received much of the early attention from the local media at Hula Bowl practice, as it has seven University of Hawaii players and the intriguing storyline of Steve Spurrier's final game as a college coach. Erickson, Lubick
hook up againBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comBut the Kai team also has a coach who likes to pitch it around in Oregon State's Dennis Erickson, as well as a handful of players who prepped in Hawaii but went on to succeed at mainland colleges.
Like Spurrier, who is assisting his former defensive coordinator, Oklahoma's Bob Stoops, Erickson is teamed with an old running mate from national championship glory days.
Erickson and Sonny Lubick of Colorado State coached together at Miami during the Hurricanes' championship seasons of 1989 and 1991.
"Sonny and I were together for a long time," Erickson said. "When I was asked who I'd like to bring along, it was easy. And I know Bob and Steve real well. It's fun to be here with Steve for his last week of college coaching."
So who has the best record among the Hula Bowl coaches over the past 10 years?
Trick question, unless you follow Division III closely. Kai assistant Larry Kehres of Division III Mt. Union's Raiders have gone 103-1 with six national championships.
Gone from Maui?: Hula Bowl CEO Lenny Klompus acknowledged there has been some talk about moving the game back to Oahu after six years on Maui. But he said it is far from being a done deal, and he still has to meet with representatives from ESPN, the NFL, AFCA and other entities before such a shift might become a reality.
"We'll have a better idea by the end of the week," he said.
Espiau beefed up: UH safety Jacob Espiau looks like he locked himself in the weightroom since the end of the Warriors' season early last month.
"I tried to lift the whole time I was off, until about a week ago," said Espiau, who now has 200 pounds on his 5-foot, 10-inch frame. "Since then I took some time off to rest up, just ride the bike and jog."
He didn't stand out at yesterday's practice, but got more comfortable as the workout went on.
"I don't think I did bad. I just didn't get much of a chance to make plays because we were switching in and out a lot," Espiau said. "I bet everyone out here has some jitters because there are so many people out here evaluating you, doing this and that. You can't really think about it and let it affect you. After the first half hour I kind of forgot about it and it became more just play and have fun, enjoy myself with these guys."
Scratches: About 10 players originally scheduled to play Saturday have decided not to make the trip over the Pacific. Among them are Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El, linebacker Andra Davis and defensive end Alex Brown of Florida, and defensive tackle Dorsett Davis of Mississippi State. Utah receiver Clifford Russell was a surprising scratch, since the Hula Bowl would afford him a rare chance to play in front of a Hawaii crowd since his high school days at Campbell.
Most of the pull-outs are because players performed well enough for scouts at earlier all-star games and see no need to risk their draft position or incurring an injury -- regardless of the free trip to Hawaii.
Out of the booth: Former Hawaii and Arizona coach Dick Tomey, who worked UH games as a broadcaster last season, was pressed into emergency duty as an assistant coach of the Aina team.
"When Bobby Johnson of Vanderbilt couldn't come out (AFCA executive director) Grant Teaff asked if I could do it. He said I was cheap and close," Tomey said with a laugh.
"I can't tell you how much I love this, to be working with all these coaches and the assembled talent, to give the players an idea of what they need to do to succeed in getting to where they want to go," Tomey added.
Drying out: The sun came out yesterday, which was good for everyone, especially Los Angeles Rams' area scout Mel Foels.
"I have to leave after practice (Wednesday) for the Super Bowl," he said Tuesday, when a continuous deluge forced indoor practices. "You can't really tell much in here about the players' skills, so I hope the weather breaks."
The extended forecast yesterday was clear through Saturday.
Short yardage: Maryland's Ralph Friedgen has agreed to coach in the 2003 game, joining Larry Coker of national champion Miami and Mack Brown of Texas. ... Quote of the day: "(Hawaii quarterback) Nick Rolovich will be a guy they all like a lot before this is over," said Tomey. ... Mosi Tatupu appeared at a meeting of the Maui Quarterback Club last night, during which this year's awardee of the honor in his name, Iowa's Kahlil Hill, was also recognized. The Mosi Tatupu award goes to the top special teams player in the nation each year.