Warrior Beat

Former UH defensive end Tavita Woodard has reached agreement with agent Cameron Weiss of Empire Athletics, which is based in Santa Monica. A week ago, Woodard texted the Warrior Beat to report he had chosen Weiss.  Details were not worked out until the past couple of days. Weiss said there had been “11th-hour negotiations,” but now “the paper work is in and out.” Woodard will train under Chad Ikei in Hawaii. Weiss is a lawyer who teamed with Joe Barkett […]

Dispelling Internet rumors, linebacker Benneton “Benny” Fonua said he has no plans to transfer from the Rainbow Warrior football program. “I’m not leaving,” Fonua said. “I’m staying.” Fonua added he has “no idea” how such talk originated. Fonua, who is one of the top special-team players, is expected to have an expanded role at linebacker this coming season.

As of this morning, there were 352  official applicants for the two vacant UH football coaching jobs. About 40 were for the defensive coordinator’s job, with the remaining seeking the linebacker coach’s position. It might be another two weeks, at least, before selects a replacement for defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer and linebacker coach Tony Tuioti. Both were notified their one-year contracts will be not be renewed after both deals expire in March. Both coaches remain on the payroll.  

Because some of the best advice comes from other people, one of my friends offers these suggestions to UH officials: • Secure a high-level sponsorship from the company that owns the 76 stations in Hawaii. I’ve lost track of who actually owns it — I think A&B merged with a company that had merged with another company — but somewhere along the way, Walter Dods Jr. is involved. • Secure a high-level sponsorship with Ala Moana Center and/or its tenants. […]

It’s time to close the proverbial book on 2013. It was a year of good times, rough times, happy times and fun times. The blog will be closed the next two days. So spend time with loved ones, give a call to someone who needs a friend today, and, most of all, grab a bunch of clothes you don’t want and go to Goodwill. Today is the last day to collect tax deductions for 2013. Happy holidays, and celebrate the […]

The volleyball Rainbow Warriors were awakened today to the sound of: GET READY! Yep, to start the final day of training camp at Joint Base Pearl Harbor/Hickam, the Warriors were involuntary participants in a morning exercises. It was part team bonding, part follow-directions drills. The Warriors marched, in formation (some wore slippers), and then competed in a precision-drill contest. Brook Sedore, a Canadian, was the winner.

There are 199 applicants for the Rainbow Warriors’ soon-to-be vacated linebacker coach’s job. That number is expected to grow when HR personnel check the mailbox tomorrow. Two weeks ago, Tony Tuioti was told he would not be retained as linebacker coach after his contract expires in March. This past Friday was the first day UH officials could review the applications. There probably was a delay in some deliveries because of Christmas. (We won’t mention the brown trucks.)

Former UH center Bronson Tiwanak and defensive tackle/running back Siave Seti were among the 31 members of the Honolulu Police Department’s 175th recruit class to graduate last night. Congrats to both, who were classy players who filled their roles with enthusiasm and without complaints. * * * * * Linebacker Drake Miller, who redshirted as a freshman this past season, requested — and received — a release from his UH scholarship. Even with the release, he cannot receive another scholarship […]