Yesterday morning, Sam Papalii was the happiest Crusader in the land.

The former Saint Louis football player, class of 1977, was offered the head coaching position by the school.

By the time he met again with administrators in midafternoon, questions arose about two incidents that occurred during a successful coaching stint at Kealakehe (2001-05).

By 5 p.m., he got the phone call. The offer was pulled.

Neither Papalii nor the school would talk about the on-field game-time incidents, but neither resulted in suspension or penalties of any kind for the former college assistant coach.

He was stunned at yesterday's change of events.

“;It turned ugly,”; Papalii said, “;from a great feeling in the morning, ready to give back to the school, to…

“;So I said, 'Best of luck to you guys.' “;

Papalii said the incidents were simply forgotten during his interviews with Saint Louis, and that may have been enough to tilt their decision the other way. Out of respect for the school, he hopes negative news is at a minimum.

“;I answered their questions to the best of my knowledge,”; he said. “;But I forgot about some of the small stuff.”;

The school sent out a press release at 8:43 p.m. yesterday noting that the hiring of Papalii was “;inaccurate and untrue,”; adding that “;we are still actively seeking a head football coach.”;

Papalii retired from coaching in 2005 and has been working on Oahu. His interest in coaching has not waned, however, and he is a voter in the Star-Bulletin Football Top 10.

Papalii was an assistant at the college level for many years with stops at Hawaii, Arizona, Iowa State, UNLV and Utah.

Papalii was known as a disciplinarian at Kealakehe, running a tight, effective ship.

Ed Paola was hired as the Saint Louis AD two weeks ago. Former Crusaders quarterback and current 'Iolani offensive coordinator Joel Lane was offered the head coaching position, but declined.

Former head coach Delbert Tengan was offered the position, but also declined. Tengan is expected to join the staff at 'Iolani next season. 'Iolani head coach Wendell Look wouldn't confirm or deny the addition of Tengan to his staff.