[ ARENA FOOTBALL ]
Lee looking for QBs
to replace Arceneaux
Cal Lee will continue wearing two hats, but Darnell Arceneaux might toss aside one of his three.
Lee, the Hawaiian Islanders arenafootball2 head coach, just completed his first season as a University of Hawaii assistant.
"I enjoyed it a lot, learned a lot and hope to be back if I get a contract," Lee said of his UH gig, again dispelling rumors of him leaving the Warriors. And coach June Jones has had no complaints, saying Lee was a good addition to the staff.
Lee signed another one-year deal with the Islanders two months ago, so he will be back at the Blaisdell Arena sideboards this summer.
But it's doubtful Arceneaux will be his starting quarterback. Last year the former Utah standout helped the Islanders go 11-7 and win the Western Division championship in the franchise's second season.
Last fall, Arceneaux guided Saint Louis School to the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship and second place in the state's Division I tournament. It was his first year as head coach at the school, where he helped win multiple championships with Lee as coach.
Arceneaux also works for a nonprofit organization that connects Hawaii high school athletes with colleges.
"Right now it's still up in the air, and I've been training a little bit," Arceneaux said. "But I'm a coach, and my obligation is to my alma mater. My priorities are coaching and getting kids into schools.
"If I can work it out with the coaches, I'd love to play, because I'm a competitor. Even if I do play, I think I'd be more of a player-coach, maybe No. 2. I don't want to get hurt anymore, but I want to continue learning."
Lee already started the search for a replacement quarterback. Backup Mike Tillis will get a look when camp begins in early March, but Lee is also curious about former UH quarterbacks Shawn Withy-Allen and Jason Whieldon, and has already talked with former Iolani and Montana star Brian Ah Yat. Lee hopes to work them out, in addition to other candidates, at an open tryout tentatively set for Feb. 22.
Former UH defensive end La'anui Correa could end up with the Islanders after a year out of football. But Correa will first audition for the Colorado Crush and New York Dragons, both of whom compete in the Arena Football League, a step above af2.
"He's young and energetic, but he needs to have some playing experience," Lee said. "He's got to go both ways. I talked to him the other day, and he's 275 (pounds), but looks like can add 10 pounds easy and go both ways."
The Islanders also seek a physical fullback/linebacker to replace Josh White, who was promoted to the Dragons in November.
Also, Islanders assistant coaches Vinny Passas and Doug Semones will spend some time at the Dragons' training camp Jan. 14-21.
"They're like a parent team to us," Lee said. "Vinny and Doug will take a look at their facilities and defensive schemes."
Short yardage: Lee said receiver Nian Taylor will likely return for another season with the Islanders despite speculation Taylor might be promoted. ... UH defensive backs coach Rich Miano, a 41-year-old former NFL safety, has talked about possibly playing for the Islanders. "I told him to get in shape. You never know," said Lee, who coached Miano at Kaiser High School in the early 1980s. ... UH assistants Miano, Mike Cavanaugh, Dan Morrison, Tyson Helton, Vantz Singletary and George Lumpkin are at the AFCA national convention in Orlando, Fla.