Hawaii football: 3 Rainbow Warriors assistants travel to Washington State

Former Hawaii head Coach Nick Rolovich talked with associate head coach Brian Smith at UH practice on Aug. 31. Smith is among three Rainbow Warriors assistants in Pullman, Wash., for Rolovich's introduction as Washington State head coach. / Photo by Dennis Oda, Star-Advertiser

Most of the following appeared on the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s breaking news.

Three members of the Hawaii football team’s coaching staff are in Pullman, Wash., and will be attending today’s news conference to introduce Nick Rolovich as Washington State’s head coach, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser has learned.

The news conference is at 12:30 p.m. Hawaii time and is being live streamed and televised on the Pac-12 Networks.

On Monday, Rolovich resigned as UH’s head coach.


Brian Smith, who has served as the Rainbow Warriors’ associate head coach and offensive coordinator the past four years, quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Craig Stutzmann, and chief of staff Jason Cvercko departed Honolulu on Wednesday night.


It has not been determined if their attendance means they are joining the Cougars’ staff.

Smith and Stutzmann are widely believed to be candidates to fill the coaching vacancy created by Rolovich. They still are under consideration whether they are with the Warriors this week or not. UH athletic director David Matlin could make his recommendation for the next head coach as early as next week. The state’s hiring policy requires a waiting period of five business days. The job was posted on Monday night.

COMMENTS

  1. kapakahi January 16, 2020 10:49 am

    Rolo’s initial press conference provides the perfect opportunity for Rolo to introduce the integral members of his new staff that he is bringing along with him from UH to Wazzu…..especially since he was hired by Wazzu primarily for the RnS offense.

    Otherwise, why else would they be there attending the press conference? Hmmm…..


  2. YPO MAN January 16, 2020 11:19 am

    Kapakahi,
    My thoughts exactly!


  3. Will Gann January 16, 2020 11:21 am

    Congratulations to all three of them and Coach Rolo! Obviously, their Offense if what landed this job and it makes sense to bring those men who helped execute this exciting product! I really don’t think we want to offer this position to Coach Batoon, who himself was a new hire to Hawaii and the state itself a few years ago! Coach Rich Miano is here and waiting for his opportunity and I believe it’s LONG OVERDUE! Congratulations to everyone on this tremendous opportunity! Go Warriors!


  4. kapakahi January 16, 2020 11:44 am

    Virginia OC Robert Anae? Hmmm…..
    https://twitter.com/DanWolken/status/1217917599805255687

    If that were to happen, then you can bet that Mark Atuaia will be the new RB assistant coach.


  5. mileHIwarrior January 16, 2020 12:20 pm

    Pretty much safe to say the dominoes are tilting and ready to fall. Unless the HC is offered to Smith or Stutz, Aloha and Mahalo gents! Phase 3 will proceed without you.


  6. kapakahi January 16, 2020 12:28 pm

    Press conference being streamed live on Wazzu’s website…..about to start…..so let’s see what happens….

    https://pac-12.com/live/washington-state-university


  7. kapakahi January 16, 2020 12:35 pm

    I bet that Rolo hasn’t worn a suit & tie for the past 4 years…..like he is now.


  8. kapakahi January 16, 2020 1:02 pm

    Glad that Rolo said Mahalo to Warrior Nation as part of his opening statements.


  9. kapakahi January 16, 2020 1:05 pm

    Was probably purposely vague when asked about the coaching staff……so didn’t mention what (if any) coaches who might follow him from UH to Wazzu.


  10. kapakahi January 16, 2020 1:08 pm

    Brian Smith, Jason Cvercko, and Mike Ghobial are all wearing Wazzu gear…..but haven’t spotted Stutz yet.


  11. kapakahi January 16, 2020 1:09 pm

    Live streaming ended.


  12. 808bowler January 16, 2020 1:09 pm

    with those 3 coaches there i believe they are there to stay. why would they fly all the way there just for a presser? I believe its down to Anae or Miano. i believe this is Mianaos best shot at getting the job.


  13. 808bowler January 16, 2020 1:10 pm

    if stutz not there then he is still in play.


  14. Andrew January 16, 2020 1:15 pm

    13.

    He may be there just probably wanted to stay off camera for now considering he probably did submit an app


  15. letgowarriors January 16, 2020 2:49 pm

    lets go Stutz era!!


  16. LuMan January 16, 2020 2:51 pm

    If some of his staff are going to get paid a ton more at WS than they are currently getting at UH hell I’d go too.Duh


  17. kapakahi January 16, 2020 7:46 pm

    Rolo hopes to take at least these 4 assistants (Stutz, Smith, Ghobrial, Cvercko) with him from UH to Wazzu….
    https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jan/16/nick-rolovich-anticipates-bringing-at-least-four-h/


  18. Lowtone123 January 17, 2020 7:57 am

    Michael Ghobrial also.


  19. James Landers January 18, 2020 10:31 am

    Well said Will Gann.

    Congratulations to UH Football team and staff for a good season.

    Time to give Coach Miano a chance. If he will take it. Only positives with him at the helm.


Comments are closed.