Warrior Beat

Even before yesterday’s arrests of defensive tackles Kennedy Tulimasealii and Ka‘aumoana Gifford, there were concerns about the Warriors’ depth at the two interior line positions. The switch to the four-man front had helped because hybrid edge defenders (Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea, Meffy Koloamatangi, David Manoa and Manly Williams) could play end. But the Warriors are lacking big bodies for the inside. Samiuela Akoteu, who was cleared to work out after missing the 2015 season because of a foot injury, shifted from the […]

Defensive tackles Kennedy Tulimasealii and Ka‘aumoana Gifford were arrested at 6 this morning in McCully. Tulimasealii, 21, was arrested on accusations of two counts of domestic abuse, one count of harassment, and one count of resisting arrests. He also had two contempt warrants. His bond was $5,650. Gifford, 20, was arrested on an accusation of obstruction. His bond was $500. Both are expected to be suspended from team-related activities.

The volleyball Warriors always had a family feel to the program. The aunties give lei to players and coaches from both teams. The boosters prepare the post-match potluck. And the past two seasons, it appears that every third fans is wearing a “6” T-shirt. It was fitting the annual banquet was scheduled the night after “senior night,” and dubbed as the “recognition” dinner. Players whose parents did not attend drew numbers that corresponded with table numbers. Those players then spent […]

The past four spring practices, the Warriors have been in full pads. Under the previous three head coaches, the Warriors would practice “like the pros,” having some workouts in just shells (shoulder pads) or no pads at all. But head coach Nick Rolovoch said just because the Warriors are in full pads does not mean there is whistle-to-whistle hitting. “There are periods when we’re not very physical,” Rolovich said. “It’s spring ball. That’s part of the reason we spread it […]

Sure, this coaching staff is more social-media savvy. But there are other new teaching/assessment tools introduced this spring training, such as: Teaching tools don’t have to be expensive. A trip to Target is all that is needed for a Super Soaker to help in punt-return drills. Here’s my attempt at a video: Super Soaker * * * * * Oklahoma drills from yesterday’s practice: Oklahoma Drill video 1 Oklahoma drill video 2 Oklahoma drill video 3 Oklahoma drill video 4 […]

In the Warriors’ version of pro day, today’s visitors included defensive end Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks and linebacker Manti Teo of the San Diego Chargers. Kynan Forney, a former UH offensive lineman who played 10 NFL seasons, made his second appearance. Also visiting were former Warriors Bryant Moniz, Randall Okimoto, Manly Williams, Jeremiah Cockheran and Shawn Withy-Allen.

The newly hired UH coaching staff faced this mathematical equation in December: > The NCAA permits each FBS team to sign a maximum 25 players per recruiting class. > Wideout Isaiah Bernard, cornerback Cameron Hayes and kickers Rigo Sanchez and Mauro Bondi were blueshirts who received scholarships for the 2015 season but counted toward the 2016 recruiting class. > There was an understanding from the previous staff that receiver Makoa Camanse-Stevens and long-snapper Noah Borden would earn 2016 scholarships. Because […]