Beemer took different path

If everything was sensible, Gary Beemer would have been wearing Lebron-issued Beats while picking golden confetti from his Ohio State gear last week.

Beemer would have been a perfect fit at OSU. Head coach Urban Meyer was Beemer’s college coach at Florida. Sports performance coordinator Mickey Marotti was Beemer’s college strength/conditioning coach. OSU made an offer to Beemer to join Marotti’s staff last year — and Beemer turned it down.

Beemer’s decision was based on loyalty to coach Norm Chow, the independence of running his own program, and an affinity for the players. In turn, Beemer hired Steve Pizza to serve as assistant for below-poverty-level compensation, and convinced another four guys to work as strength/conditioning coaches for free.


The Warriors have been training on their own this month. Next week, the supervised offseason conditioning program begins officially. The players will be making sacrifices when they awaken early to lift weights and run sprints under an unforgiving afternoon sun. They also should know that Beemer, too, made sacrifices — financial and career-wise — to be with them.

COMMENTS

  1. tom January 21, 2015 8:47 am

    GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!

    Thank you Gary Beemer!


  2. NorthShoreFan January 21, 2015 9:12 am

    Guud Morning Tsaikos…bootiful day.
    supposed to be 30-40 ft. on Northside…no Eddie though…dang traffic going be cruel…


  3. Ipu Man January 21, 2015 9:18 am

    We’ve got the best strength and condition players in the nation.


  4. hatakeman January 21, 2015 9:30 am

    People like Gary Beemer come along only once in a while. Thank you Gary for being loyal to Hawaii and Coach Chow.


  5. C-Pop January 21, 2015 9:34 am

    Pollypicador: Regarding Demo’s coaching style.

    Special Teams have been the most consistently positive & productive unit during Chow’s three years.
    Players/Units are “reflection” of their coach.
    Demo’s style of coaching is called “Tough Love” his players “Trust” Demo because they know (over time) he cares & everything he does is to get the very BEST” out of them. Players will fight to keep their edge when they are held accountable, Demo hold’s all of his players accountable & they all know 7 understand it. When special teams players have been interviewed TV/media they ALWAYS have praised Demo for helping them be the best they can be!
    Players don’t care what a coach knows unless he knows the coach cares about him!
    Productive coaches utilize the 3 C’s – Caring, Competent, & Consistent.
    Demo’s Tough Love style of coaching works! Look at the results of his ST’s Unit!
    He would surely help the DEFENSE be aggressive, physical, and tough minded!


  6. al January 21, 2015 9:46 am

    mahalo coach beemer.
    always nice to hear that loyaty still matters.


  7. al January 21, 2015 9:47 am

    c-pop…ditto.
    the special teams unit is the most disciplined unit that we have had over the past three years.


  8. graham January 21, 2015 9:50 am

    Let reallly is refreshing to hear. With the amount of coachs that move around at the drop of hat the hat it is really nice to hear that some people still are loyal and theor word actually means something. Much respect to Beemer, he will be rewarded one day.


  9. gobows January 21, 2015 9:51 am

    who are the players that were recruited by naeole? i don’t recall any.


  10. gobows January 21, 2015 9:55 am

    5
    those in your face type coaches are best at coaching, not as coordinators.


  11. gobows January 21, 2015 9:58 am

    calling the special teams unit the most disciplined is a stretch.


  12. boolakanaka January 21, 2015 10:06 am

    OSU is sure to exploit the poly pipeline—see;http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/01/thor_katoa_utah_utes_commit_se.html#incart_most-read_nfl_article


  13. Maddog50 January 21, 2015 10:08 am

    Beemer has made a difference…..he is truly a Warrior! Let’s just get these guys bigger and better. A little bit of good news is nice, how bout some crumbs regarding recruits? Go Warriors!!!!


  14. letsgowarriors January 21, 2015 10:12 am

    Sitake is one of the best coaches/recruiters in the nation.


  15. isleboy January 21, 2015 10:31 am

    Totally disagree about what kind of game shape 2014 Hawaii displayed.
    Defense looked tired final 1/3 of season. Hands on hips…..gasping for
    air. Joey was 25 pounds overweight final games of season. Hawaii
    was not well conditioned in 2014. Could not finish again due to poor
    physical conditioning……offense and defense……


  16. letsgowarriors January 21, 2015 10:36 am

    id be tired too if we didnt have any depth and the offense kept us on the field all season long.


  17. markazulu January 21, 2015 10:52 am

    Give the man a raise!! 🙂


  18. boolakanaka January 21, 2015 11:01 am

    RIP, AD Nagel–he put Hawai’i on the sports map.


  19. Warbow January 21, 2015 11:06 am

    #15…Is that why they won 2 of their last 3 games?


  20. Da Punchbowl Kid January 21, 2015 11:08 am

    # 18 – Plus one! Those were great days in the UHAD. Nagel left quite a legacy.


  21. graham January 21, 2015 11:08 am

    Sitake should be the next HC at Hawaii


  22. Da Punchbowl Kid January 21, 2015 11:13 am

    #15 – Regarding Beemer – if you have a better man and a better plan, let’s see it!

    If not give the man and his volunteer staff respect – they aren’t doing it for the money – it’s all about the players!

    Mahalo to Coach Beemer and his staff. Our program needs every advantage it can get and Coach gives them just that!

    GO WARRIORS!!!
    GO BBALL WARRIORS!!!
    GO WAHINE BBALL!!!
    GO VBALL WARRIORS!!!


  23. jm2375 January 21, 2015 11:14 am

    Good morning Tsaikos!

    Mahalo, Mr. Beemer.

    Condolences to the Nagel ohana. RIP Ray Nagel.


  24. Casual Observer January 21, 2015 11:32 am

    Just wondering: Are coaches (programs) great because they win championships with 4 & 5 star athletes or if they win a bunch of games, not necessarily championships but maybe some upsets in between, with 2-3 star athletes?


  25. Tanman January 21, 2015 11:36 am

    I read the heading and I thought, oh, no! Gary Beemer is leaving too!! Thank goodness! He is still here in Hawaii!! And we all appreciate you, Mr. Beemer, for staying here. I am sure our players appreciate your sacrifice and your hard work and the results were obvious on the field these past few years.


  26. SteveM January 21, 2015 12:08 pm

    Good morning everyone!

    Mahalo Coach Beemer and staff!

    Condolences to the Ray Nagel ohana,


  27. kev-1 January 21, 2015 12:18 pm

    WHEW!!!! I was expecting the last line of ST’s post to read something like …

    “And therefore it is understandable that Beemer cannot turn down the same offer twice. He will be reuniting with his former coach, Urban Meyer, at Ohio State University. We wish him well.”


  28. oldtimer808 January 21, 2015 12:43 pm

    #15 Always with the negativity. Boy you don’t know what you’re talking about to make that kind of statement. I’d like to see you go through Beemer’s regiment training.


  29. hitman January 21, 2015 12:52 pm

    aloha everyone!! Condolences to the Ray Nagel ohana, my you R.I.P

    Coach Beemer thank you all you do & sticking it out with chow!!
    got any more player today?


  30. Darren January 21, 2015 1:23 pm

    Didn’t realize that Ray Nagel had such an impressive resume before he got to Hawaii. Would be realy nice to have someone like that pop up for the current opening. The highlights of that period in UH athletics brings back a lot of fond memories…


  31. Old Diver January 21, 2015 1:27 pm

    Ohio States advantage is having a head coach who advocates and understands modern football strength and conditioning. Can’t go overboard at practice or S&C. Urban Meyers has found a nice balance between the two.


  32. bowwar January 21, 2015 1:28 pm

    Mahalo Ray Nagel…UH’s athletic program wouldn’t be Division without your guidance and leadership…May you rest in peace!


  33. bowwar January 21, 2015 1:30 pm

    Mahalo Beemer…There has been a noticable improvement in the conditioning of our FB players since you’ve taken over the program. Keep up the good work and thank you for your loyalty to the University!


  34. Na Alii Pride January 21, 2015 1:31 pm

    We better work to keep Coach Beemer! Guys that stick around for less money because they love where they’re at are so rare! Thanks Coach Beemer!

    And, we need another Ray Nagel in Hawaii. RIP Mr. Nagel.


  35. John Cole January 21, 2015 1:56 pm

    Life in Honolulu vs Columbus?

    /


  36. Rodney January 21, 2015 2:02 pm

    #15 too critical ! Bems is MVP
    Watch guys in the “PIT” He works em up!
    RIP Mr Nagel.


  37. seewhy January 21, 2015 2:28 pm

    Mahalo Coach Beemer!


  38. Inyoface January 21, 2015 2:53 pm

    Not only do they need to train for strength and endurance but they need to train on speed and quickness.


  39. Stephen Tsai January 21, 2015 3:12 pm

    I don’t think conditioning was a problem.
    They were in shape.
    Good health? Now that was a concern.


  40. Stephen Tsai January 21, 2015 3:14 pm

    I think there were a lot of people who contributed to UH’s ascension to Division I and then the WAC.
    Certainly, John Burns was the one had set the way.


  41. al January 21, 2015 3:15 pm

    elijah tupaai, tui eli , john wa’a, kamu borden, jordan agasiva, ben northrup, esperone moananu, and the moose.


  42. Maddog50 January 21, 2015 3:18 pm

    Best wishes to the Nagel family. UH had 3 great AD’s in that era. Paul Durham, Ray Nagel and Stan Sheriff. Let’s get one like one of them only with the vision and stature that meets today’s challenges. Again best to the Nagel O’hana and all those he touched! Go Warriors!!!!


  43. al January 21, 2015 3:19 pm

    We could never afford stake. He makes a lot more than norm chow.


  44. al January 21, 2015 3:19 pm

    Sitake


  45. st. anthony trojan January 21, 2015 3:25 pm

    Condolences to the Ray Nagel Ohana….

    Coach Beemer…hope in a few years…when u do decide to move on…you can say 2 ur self…it was the right decision..n no regrets…Mahalo PLENTY..


  46. BigFan January 21, 2015 3:51 pm

    #41, Al, what’s that list for? You probably forgot to add Dejon Allen?
    You kinda made a correct statement. Hawaii cannot afford “steak” only spam, lol.


  47. oldyobo January 21, 2015 3:51 pm

    Nothing against Beamer but for ALL the posters here who are thanking him for making a difference – you’re all in lalaland, just like Chow and Jay.


  48. oldyobo January 21, 2015 3:55 pm

    Nagel’s tenure was truly the good old days. Compare those days with the bunch of clowns calling themselves AD and coaches now just makes you cry.


  49. Luker#8 January 21, 2015 4:19 pm

    Thank you coach Beemer.
    We are fortunate to have a coach who
    Values commitment and loyalty.


  50. WarriorMojo January 21, 2015 5:13 pm

    Re #47

    The problem with an old yobo is that he keeps talking, talking, talking, even when he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. You just can’t shut him up. And, yes, the irony is intended.

    Anyway, thanks ST for shining the light on Coach Beemer. Nice to hear about someone who’s values aren’t defined solely by dollars and prestige.


  51. WarriorMojo January 21, 2015 5:15 pm

    Re #48

    I’m gonna guess that al’s #41 is a response to #9.


  52. al January 21, 2015 5:16 pm

    Recruits that Naeole had a hand in.


  53. al January 21, 2015 5:17 pm

    WM…you read me well.


  54. jonj January 21, 2015 5:26 pm

    #43 AL

    Sometimes in life to move forward you gotta move backwards. Not too many big name programs out there handing off HC jobs. So if sitake wants to get his name out there as a HC take the next step and move to hawaii. Not too long ago we was paying a HC 1 mil.


  55. z January 21, 2015 5:29 pm

    Nagel was special.

    Thankyou coach Beemer for a ll that you do.


  56. Inyoface January 21, 2015 7:28 pm

    We’re going to have to have a full on run n shoot offense to even compete against Ohio state. Forget the read option and all that, it’s going to have to be fast and steady for them to score touchdowns. I don’t like how they go up to the line and check for plays on the sideline. I like when the qb gets the play from the HC or OC and runs that’s play from the get go. Forget looking to the sideline after everyone is set, it seems to take the momentum out of the play.


  57. hatakeman January 21, 2015 7:48 pm

    ST, did Salanoa Alo-Wily de-commit? If he did, that’s the third recruit to de-commit since (former) DC Kevin Clune announced his departure for Utah State. The other two are Christian Cronk and Tommy Woo. What is Chow going to do?


  58. oneseason January 21, 2015 8:16 pm

    Even with the coaching losses, 2015 still looks like a 5 win season (against 5 struggling teams). It wasn’t likely to be much better than that without positive changes and that didn’t seem likely since coach Chow and AD Jay seemed to be pushing the status quo.

    2015 win prediction with 2014 conference win-loss for the MWC teams.
    San Jose State (2W-6L): Home – Win
    UNLV (1W-7L): Away – Win
    New Mexico (2W-6L): Away – Win
    UC Davis 2W-9L (13th of 13 in Big Sky Div 1-AA): Home – Win
    Louisiana-Monroe 4W-8L (7th of 11 in Sun Belt): Home – Win


  59. leron January 21, 2015 10:25 pm

    #51 I think Kaiwi Chung is another one


  60. pollypicador January 21, 2015 11:37 pm

    I just read Nagel’s bio on Wikipedia.

    His life was full.

    Player (QB, UCLA), assistant football coach, head coach (Utah, Iowa), athletic director (Washington State, Hawaii), executive director of the Hulu Bowl, executive position with BOH (84-89), Rams (83).

    As a student at UCLA-bachelor’s, master’s, and law degrees

    Wife, Shirley, 5 children.

    My thoughts-Nagel lived the dream. He took his passion for football, athletics, teaching, coaching and leading others and made it his livelihood-his life…and when people (I) reflect back on his journey in life he certainly has the people (schools, teams) he has touched owing him a debt of gratitude.

    He certainly is one to look up to, admire, and respect.

    My respects and condolences.


  61. st. anthony trojan January 21, 2015 11:42 pm

    one-season….status-quo…cost green bay a visit to play in super bowl…
    should be a lesson in there sum places 4 coaches…who like to call plays
    that are conservative…

    but of course… can’t teach ‘old dogs’ new tricks…unless if ur in the ‘younger’ thinking bracket n run sum tackle eligible plays…


  62. boolakanaka January 22, 2015 4:19 am

    Damn, they grabbing all the high profile polys—see: http://www.oregonlive.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2015/01/simi_moala_3-star_de_visting_o.html#incart_river


  63. Maddog50 January 22, 2015 6:17 am

    We will get our fair share. We were not even part of this so does it really matter? I like where we are headed with a week and a half left—Go Warriors!!!! Great receiver addition and there are rumblings of others wanting to come home who are contributing elsewhere—-


  64. al January 22, 2015 6:32 am

    58…didn’t list him because they moved him to fb.


  65. Tempmanoa January 22, 2015 7:03 am

    I am ok with coach Demarest and tough love up to reasonable limits. However, Demarest’s coaching of special teams is really just Harding’s punting and Haddon’s place kicking. We were at or near the bottom of the conference in covering kicks and punts and at the bottom in returns. He has a lot of work to do to raise special team’s performance.


  66. graham January 22, 2015 7:48 am

    Welcome DeSean Holmes!!!!!!! Awesome get from the Rainbow Warriors!!!!!!!!!!!
    Have faith


  67. Shoko January 22, 2015 8:01 am

    Holmes is a really impressive get for Chow.


  68. Stephen Tsai January 22, 2015 8:06 am

    New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=27241


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