Warriors may end Hawaii football coach June Jones is looking into capping the spring football season April 14 on Maui or Kauai.
practice off-island
Jones is looking into the possibility
of closing spring ball on Maui or KauaiBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"It's still in the idea stage, there are details to work out but we'd like to do it," he said.
As in past seasons, Jones does not plan a full-contact spring game, but rather a series of activities including 7-on-7 drills and other events, similar to last year's "Spring Challenge" at Cooke Field.
UH has played spring games on Maui and Kauai in the past, but an NCAA rule prohibits them now because of the distance from campus. But the Warriors might be able to do the "Spring Challenge" on a neighbor island because it does not include an actual game.
Hawaii played its season-opening game on Maui last year, beating Montana 30-12 at War Memorial Stadium.
Spring practice begins March 14.
"We'll just reemphasize our base fundamentals on both offense and defense," Jones said. "We won't do much on special teams, but we will punt some."
Jones said he doesn't plan major schematic changes, but the coaches will look at candidates to replace several key personnel losses. The departed include wide receivers Ashley Lelie, Craig Stutzmann and Channon Harris, quarterback Nick Rolovich, offensive linemen Manly Kanoa and Brian Smith and safeties Nate Jackson and Jacob Espiau.
"Those things take care of themselves," Jones said. "I'm certain we have the players on campus now and among those coming in the fall to fill those spots and maybe even be better at some."
Also, Zac Wasserman, a highly regarded quarterback from the high school class of 1999, visited UH the past two days and is considering enrolling at UH and joining the Warriors as a walk-on, his father confirmed yesterday.
Wasserman (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) transferred from Penn State to a junior college closer to home in California when his mother died last year. The former Parade All-American could be on UH's roster in the fall, but only if he passes a heavy load of courses between now and the end of summer to earn an associate's degree.
Wasserman said he is also considering San Jose State, which he visited in January. But he is leaning toward UH.
"I obviously didn't meet everybody, but it seems like Hawaii has a great bunch of guys who are team-oriented. They have one goal in mind, to win," Wasserman said.
He said watching UH games via the Internet last fall attracted him to the program.
"The offense really appealed to me," Wasserman said. "I saw Nick Rolovich pass for all those yards and touchdowns the last three games and thought, 'Why not got to a school where you can throw the ball a zillion times?' "
Meanwhile, UH quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said Tim Chang is progressing well in his rehab from wrist surgery, and it's possible he will throw a football sooner than expected.
"He had a great follow-up and they took at least some of the pins out," Morrison said. "The doctors are pleased, and he may be able to throw in April."
Chang started at quarterback for Hawaii two years ago and won Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He was the starter going into last season, but injured his right wrist three games into the schedule, ending his season. Chang was granted an extra year of eligibility and will be a sophomore in the fall.
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