Jones says he’s
not in a hurry
to fill coaching jobSources close to UH
say Dennis McKnight
is a strong contender
for the assistant's position
The speculation began even before Dennis McKnight showed up to watch Hawaii's spring football practice yesterday.
Might the former UH special-teams assistant be hired to fill the post he held in 1999 and 2000? His successor, Tyson Helton, left for a job at Memphis last month after three seasons of coordinating the Warriors' kicking game.
McKnight eluded a reporter yesterday, but several sources close to the team said the fiery former NFL offensive lineman is a strong contender for the position.
Head coach June Jones said he isn't in a hurry to fill the spot, though.
"Dennis is here with his family visiting, and we haven't really talked about it. We've still got to interview a bunch of people," Jones said.
Jones also wanted to make it clear that McKnight, Fresno State head coach Pat Hill and former UH student assistant Kurt Gouveia (the ex-Waianae, Brigham Young and Washington Redskins standout linebacker) were all just visiting -- not coaching -- yesterday.
"A lot of good people. Everybody likes Hawaii, so that's why they're here," Jones said.
While mentoring Hawaii players obviously wouldn't make any sense for Hill, Jones doesn't want to run afoul with the NCAA about McKnight or Gouveia, both of whom had prior association with the UH program. Frank Gansz, though, with the official tag of guest coach, is a legitimate temporary staff member.
"It's an all-star cast," running-backs coach Wes Suan said of the visitors. "It's wonderful. We're all going to get better through osmosis."
Gansz has said he doesn't want to become permanent party, and Gouveia, who lives in San Diego, said he has no interest in the opening.
"I'm always looking to learn about coaching," Gouveia said. "But I don't have that mentality. You have to be a special person to coach special teams."
Those special people are usually noted for their motivational skills and the high decibel level of their voices. McKnight is a disciple of Gansz, having played in Detroit for the man many consider the best kicking-game coach ever.
"When I first came as a true freshman, Coach McKnight was the special-teams coach, and he always talked about him. He said, 'It always comes back to the great Frank Gansz,' " senior kicker Justin Ayat said. "I would like for (McKnight) to come back. As a coach and a person."
McKnight left UH after the 2000 season to be with his family in San Diego. The former sports talk show host owns a chain of car washes and coached at Grossmont College last season.
When Helton left, there was early speculation that second-year assistant Cal Lee might become special-teams coach. When Lee was head coach at Saint Louis School, the kicking game was a consistent strength for the Crusaders.
But Lee, for now, has his hands full as head coach of the Hawaiian Islanders arenafootball2 team, as well as an expanding role coaching the UH linebackers. After joining the Warriors last summer, Lee eased in by coaching only the strongside linebackers while defensive coordinator George Lumpkin had primary responsibility for the 'backers. This spring, Lee is a vocal instructor for all three positions.
"It's kind of me, with some help," Lee said.
One of his spring projects is the moving of outside linebacker Ikaika Curnan, last season's leading tackler, to middle linebacker.
Curnan played inside for Lee at Saint Louis, but that was four years ago, and in a 3-4 alignment.
"He's so quick and moves to the ball so well, the staff felt, why not put him in the middle, so he can make plays either way," Lee said. "From the size standpoint, he might have to deal with some bigger guys, but we think he's going to make plays wherever he ends up."
Curnan (5-10, 225) said he is happy to make the move.
"I don't have to worry about the pass too much, it's all downhill," he said. "You just fill gaps. I have to take on more blocks, but I think I can do it."
