LIVE STREAM: Todd Graham introduced as Hawaii football coach

Todd Graham was introduced as the 24th head coach in Hawaii football history. / Photo by Brian McInnis

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

With pep rally-themed festivities, the University of Hawaii introduced Todd Graham as its new head football coach.

Graham, 55, who most recently was head coach at Arizona State in 2017, vowed to maintain a productive offensive while promising to deliver an attacking defense. Graham also emphasized his players bringing the same tenacity to their school work.

UH officials announced Graham received a five-year contract, which will pay a base $760,000 this year and $800,000 a year thereafter. It is the same terms UH was prepared to offer Nick Rolovich, who resigned last week to become Washington State’s head coach.

Graham said he met with the UH players this morning. He said he plans to meet with the four UH assistant coaches who are on expiring one-year contracts.

Graham said he has not made any new hires.

“I’m not hiring all my buddies,” he said. “I’m going to hire guys that fit here. I’m a process guy. I’m not going to make emotional decisions and I’m going to take my time to make sure that we get it right.”

Graham said he and his wife plan to buy a house in Honolulu.


He also is expected to be involved in fundraising for the program. At his four previous head coaching jobs, he was instrumental improving programs, sometimes jump starting fund raising with his own money.

Graham comes in with a 95-61 record with 12 years of past stops at Rice, Tulsa, Pittsburgh and ASU.

Graham spoke afterward about several topics, including the expected UH starting quarterback for 2020, Chevan Cordeiro.

COMMENTS

  1. Shaka808 January 22, 2020 2:45 pm

    Soooo the usual coach speak ? Not like any coach ever says we plan to punt alot and finish in third place. Some words came across as disengenuous. Did not know the tomey connection and he did imply he plans to keep the offense itself the same but be more attacking no huddle offense. His staff will really tell how things will go – i really hope he keeps elimimian hes been still working and grinding for the team doing his job while not knowing if he even still has one. Hoping he brings back tuioti or someone with a strong tie to the local highschools.


  2. Robert January 22, 2020 3:25 pm

    Instead of paying him $700k+ he should be paid $100k per win.


  3. justsomeguy January 22, 2020 3:53 pm

    I not nearly as interested in Graham’s paycheck as I am the pool of money he’ll have to pay assistants….


  4. Chicken Grease January 22, 2020 4:37 pm

    Does not sound like the run-and-shoot will be focused upon. But lots of different stuffs.

    Good that he talked to the players, as one of the first things he did.

    So. Give Coach Graham a chance!


  5. Chicken Grease January 22, 2020 4:44 pm

    How you do anything is how you do anything.
    —University of Hawaii Football Coach Todd Graham, 1/22/2020


  6. Chicken Grease January 22, 2020 4:46 pm

    WHOOPS. Try that again! 🤗

    How you do anything is how you do everything.
    —University of Hawaii Football Coach Todd Graham, 1/22/2020


  7. Andrew January 22, 2020 4:55 pm

    2

    Good luck finding any coach who’s willing to work for that


  8. Andrew January 22, 2020 4:56 pm

    4.

    He seems to be keeping a lot of the same concepts a terminology as the run n shoot and some similar plays but also incorporating elements of the spread too. I like that he’s not just coming in and completely changing things


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