Warrior Beat

• Although Tyler Hadden is considered the Warriors’ No. 1 placekicker, the Warriors are investing in insurance plans. Last summer, Scott Enos (lower back) and Hadden (leg strains) experienced discomfort during training camp. That is why walk-on Kyle Niiro was added to the 2010 roster, and punter Alex Dunnachie will work on kickoffs this spring. It also is why Kenton Chun, a former All-State kicker from Saint Louis School, will be given an opportunity to compete. Chun has been mentored […]

Spring practice opened today — in the rain and in dimness. For the first hour of practice, the lights were in use at the Ching Athletic Complex field. A few observations:  • While the offensive linemen appeared to be fit collectively, there was no real contact drills. That won’t happen until probably Friday afternoon, when the Warriors will be in modified pads. Austin Hansen, who is appealing an NCAA suspension, was assisting the younger players with their stances and techniques. […]

A little more than 15 years ago, in one of the most bizarre events in UH sports history, Bob Wagner was invited to a news conference to announce his dismissal as head football coach. During the conference, Riley Wallace, who was the UH basketball coach at the time, angrily protested the event, prompting then-associate athletic director Jim Donovan to mutter about a “two-for-one deal.” Since then, metaphorical fences have been duct-taped. Wallace is now chair of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. At […]

The Warriors opened spring training today with a team meeting.  There are weight-training sessions tomorrow, with the first spring practice Wednesday. But expect many of the players to work out on their own this afternoon at the Ching Athletic Complex field.

Rain or shine — and the heavy money has been on rain — spring football training will open this week, with the first official practiced schedule for Wednesday morning.  At issue: • The blind side: With Austin Hansen appealing for full reinstatement from an NCAA suspension — he is on scholarship and allowed to practice — the majority of work at left tackle will go to Clayton Laurel, who will be a senior in the fall. He has the skill […]

Defensive tackle David Hafoka said he  still is awaiting a ruling on his appeal for a medical hardship that will allow him to play this coming season. Hafoka, who transferred from the College of San Mateo in August 2009, did not play that season because of a herniated disk. Last season, he had four tackles in five games. He is not on the spring roster.  * * * * *  Former UH linemen Ray Hisatake said that he, Aaron Kia […]

One of the sleepers of the offseason workouts is Marcus Cooley, a cornerback from Mendocino College. His JC teammates were running back Sterling Jackson and linebacker Darryl McBride, now both with UH.  Here’s Cooley’s highlight video (strong language advisory): Cooley.  * * * * *  Waylon Lolotai, who spent the past couple of years on defense after returning from a church mission, has moved to the offensive line. * * * * *  Levi Goeas tried to give it a […]

The first practice of spring training is Wednesday, but the Warriors will offer a sneak preview tomorrow.  “We’re going to have a mock practice,” linebacker George Daily-Lyles said of the workout organized entirely by the players. “We’re going to get the new guys introduced to the system, and how we do our stuff. It’ll be a nice voluntary practice. We’re going to make our own script, just like the coaches would. We’re going to time it, and have certain amount […]