Dru Brown named No. 1 quarterback
After today’s practice, head coach Nick Rolovich named Dru Brown as the Warriors’ starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Nevada.
Ikaika Woolsey will be the No. 2 quarterback.
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Am I first?
Coach Rolo: ru a Tsaiko…?
If so, what is your Tsaiko name?
🙂
Colt Brennan: ru a Tsaiko?
🙂
Devon Bess, I hope you are a Tsaiko. ru?
Coach Rolo:
1. Do you stop recruiting a player once he commits to another school or do you continue to recruit them until they sign the LOI?
2. Is the door still open for local recruits who go elsewhere to return HOME?
Where June Jones ever considered as offensive coordinator? Was Rich Miano ever considered as defensive coordinator? If yes what happened? If no… why not?
Coach: Was the lack of effort and poor execution due to the nearly one week layoff or is there something more emotionally going on due to the losses?
Coach Rolo, most of the run calls are between the tackles and had limited success. The Offense seems to do well on 4-5 wide sets. Will we see more “spread” concepts?
This one is for the blog host.
What is your honest prediction for the upcoming game against Nevada?
Dejon Allen? Overall team healthy or not?
Regarding kickoff returns: when UH’s legendary Chad Owens caught a kickoff, he positioned himself to be already moving forward when the ball arrived. When today’s kick returners receive kickoffs, they usually take a step backward after catching, then start running. Can they be coached to start further back and move up to the catch, or was Owens that unique?
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
Coach, will there be personnel changes for this up coming game? On Defense or Offense?
IMUA WARRIORS!
Any updates on the possibility of streaming the game this weekend?
No question. Just good to have football back this week. And no prediction. Jus bus em up. Go Warriors !!!
Coach Rolo! Will we ever have a mascot? I think we need something that would make the Aloha stadium experience fun and exciting again. Someone that pumps the crowd up. Ever since we’ve done away with the mascot our attendance and w-l record have gone downwards. Just saying…
Is there a possibility or any plans to convert offensive players to the defensive side? (i.e. Davine Tullis to DB)
Coach Rolo, how has Nevada’s offensive schemes changed this year compared to when you were the OC?
Best wishes to you and the team in the conference opener, and hope to see Aloha Stadium rocking on Saturday night. We’ll be there cheering on the team.
Even though Nevada is fav by 3-6 pts., I seriously believe that UH will win this game….I do believe they can win 5-6 more games in the conference pending no injuries…….GO BOWS!!!!
Given that the #1  QBs have been named, is AZ ever going to see playing time or is it your opinion that his style and ability does not fit with your philosophy and schemes thus making his ability to rise impossible.
I have a feeling this is going to be one REAL GOOD game. Too bad not televised on the mainland.
Does the coaching staff have a proscribed goal number of touches for each member of our RBs by committee or is it much more situational?
Good morning Tsaikos.
Hey Coach Rolo.
In your opinion, what is the reason for the increase in poor tackling, not only by our Warriors but throughout football in general? I was watching college ball all weekend and many, many times noticed players trying to arm tackle and missing or going for what I call the ESPN effect, the big hit to make the highlight reel and the player just bounces off.
When I played years and years and years ago, tackling was a basic technique that was constantly hammered into us. Is that no longer the case?
Mahalo
Another home game. Hope to see Tsaikos at the T-Gate this Saturday….If you haven’t been, good food, fun, friends, and football so stop on by.
All I can say is, YES!
How is local recruiting going? Are more of the state’s top players showing a genuine interest in defending Pride Rock because of the community outreach efforts of the staff and yourself?
Coach Rolo, Why dont you try John Ursua on kick off returns? We need our best players to get more touches in a game. He is definitely a game changer and he would have open space to run. I believe Chad Owens was both the punt and kickoff specialist when he set those records against BYU a while back.
Surprised by this early announcement. Sort of out-of-character for coach Rolo. Re tackling, Northwestern v Nebraska. Northwestern tackling mirrored the Warriors’ difficulties. Just seemed like Nebraska’s RBs could change speed and direction quickly, so maybe it’s not tackling technique, but just having to face good RBs. We’ll see another one this weekend in James Butler.
Coach how bout Chung getting some “dirty” yards. A draw or screen to this guy! What do you think?
#13,
JMHO that Tullis’ ball-skills are good to waste on D!
Just my guess that…..Butler and Santiago will get more PT this coming week.
Coach, is Eperone Moananu being red-shirted this year?
Latest status on mainland streaming?
Coach,
Why does Coach Naeole wear a different color shirt then the rest of the staff on game day?
Charles Moku Watson decommitted from Wazzu. Get chance?
If the coaches do not do their job on game day, do they suffer the same consequences as the player who missed their assignments. Many fans say that we don’t have the players, but I firmly believe that the coaches need to improve.
Any chance of bringing back the home all-black uniforms with the dark green helmets? For homecoming? Or vs Boise State? I liked the all-black uniforms. I think the players liked them too. Ask fans, cheerleaders, UofHawaii Band to wear black to the game and UofHawaii could have a black-out night.
Aloha Coach, moving forward is it in the plans to hire an OC for next season (as was orginally planned before Hill left) or do you still plan on staying with this current model of Stutz as the passing game coordinator, Smitty as OC and you overseeing the offense?
You had initially stated your short term vision was to manage the program overall and oversee as opposed to actively taking a role in the offense. Just wondering if your feelings has changed regarding that sentiment.
Is there any chance we see Paul Harris returning kicks he was a JC All American KR
TO ME, TACKLING IS 10% SKILL AND 90% DESIRE. YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE SKILL AND TECHNIQUE . BUT WITHOUT DESIRE, MOST LIKLY YOU’RE NOT MAKING THE TACKLE. SAME TOKEN, YOU CAN HAVE NO TECHNIQUE BUT ONLY DESIRE . YOU’LL HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF MAKING THE TACKLE. SO PRACTICING YOUR TECHNIQUE OVER AND OVER IS NOT GOING TO HELP YOUR TACKLING. YOU ALL KNOW HOW TO TACKLE. IT’S BEEN DRILL INTO YOU FROM POP WARNER TILL NOW. WHAT YOU NEED IS A” BURNING DESIRE ” INSIDE OF YOU!!
#26
I just think it would add much needed speed on D to mitigate the lack there of. Tullis also played DB in high school and could contribute heavily if given the opportunity. He’s a talented guy that needs to be used.
Coach: are we saving trick plays for MWC play–seems like we don’t do any mis-direction, reverses, flea-flickers, boise st. statue of liberty, lateral passes to our WR that will pass it down the field or back to the QB, etc.
Doesn’t this keep the other defenses off balance & confused; seems like it is easy to defend our predictable plays!
we fans are super excited Dru Brown is starting–hope it also brings back energy to our defense!
Coach, are there any other changes, other than the QB, especially on the defense side of the ball?
Dejon Allen’s mom and her family of 50 is sitting at SDSU on Nov 5 with our group of 200+ Hawaii fans–email of text me if you want to join us: 415-324-0585 or tomkitaguchi@yahoo.com
$25 (UH price is $30).
We had 3 QBs in the fall. The day before the first game it was Woolsey and Zwahlen 1 and 1A on the depth chart. Since then Zwahlen has not seen the field. Is he hurt?
This is exciting news…it excites the fan base and gives Hawaii their best chance of winning !!
DB’s time has arrived…the future is NOW. DB will bring back excitement and wins for Hawaii football.
Ditto #10.
Good to have the change now. Time to focus on the Pack.
Coach, I applaud the early announcement of the QB change. It’ll give Brown more time to establish himself as a leader in the locker room. Hopefully it’ll puts an extra bounce in his step at practice that carries over to offense that spreads to the defense and special teams. The players have been trying hard no doubt but this may be a spark to have them try harder.
QB is the one position that can unite an entire team. Dan Robinson, yourself , Colt…had the whole team believing they could play with anyone. Believing if everyone did their job from practice squad players to starters they would have a good chance of winning.
Could we get an update on internet streaming options for the game?
Coach Rolo,
When recruiting a high profit recruit, if you offer a scholarship but they commit to another school, do you still consider that offer one of your 25 annual allotment? Or can you move forward and offer someone else his commit?
P.S. Congrats Dru! We will be pulling for you and the team on Saturday.
#27,
Eperone is red-shirting.
Coach Rolo,
What (if any) inquiries are coming from players (currently at Power 5 schools & particularly local kids) about transferring back home to play for UH?
Also, how many HS prospects from American Samoa is UH actively recruiting for the Class of 2017?
Hope Dru can get the “W” … if he struggles, and hope he doesn’t, I’d rather see Aaron as the backup and give him a chance to show what he can do …
LIVE ALOHA / PLAY WARRIOR / DEFEND THE ROCK … GO ‘BOWS !!!!!
Coach Rolo,
Are recruiting efforts re-extending to Texas (where Coach Abe has recruiting contacts from his SMU GA days) to get some speed in the defensive backfield (since losing both starting CBs Rogers & Mayo after this season)?
Hopefully the answer is YES……since UH’s defensive backfield for the 2007 Sugar Bowl team was primarily from Texas (Jacob Patek/Blinn JC, Ryan Mouton/Blinn JC, Myron Newberry/Trinity Valley CC, Gerard Lewis/Tyler JC, Erik Robinson/Navarro JC). Also, I don’t recall any Texas JC signee ever transferring out from UH to move closer to home like a lot of the East Coast/Florida signees eventually did. In fact, Ryan Mouton phoned in from Texas a couple of years ago to the “Call The Coach” Show to ask NC why UH isn’t recruiting JC players from Texas any more.
Congratulations to Dru Brown on earning the starting QB position.
This feels like a new start. We have a new coach and a new starting QB.
Let’s go defense!
Go Rainbow Warriors!
Coach Rolo: Will we see a personnel change at one of your S positions? I’m sure every opponent sees a weakness there & will target it.
I hope the team can play a complete game – offense, defense and special teams.
Get a win! 1 – 0 in MWC.
Coach Rolo: I am in the minority. I like Ikaika. In Hawaii’s one winnable game, Woolsey got the “W”. If Dru Brown struggles in the first half, will Woolsey get the chance to win his job back?
Question #46 re-worded/re-stated……
Coach Rolo,
Why wouldn’t active recruiting efforts be re-extended to Texas (where Coach Abe has recruiting contacts from his SMU GA days) to get some speed in the defensive backfield (since losing both starting CBs Rogers & Mayo after this season)?…..when reminded that the UH’s defensive backfield for the 2007 Sugar Bowl team was primarily from Texas (Jacob Patek/Blinn JC, Ryan Mouton/Blinn JC, Myron Newberry/Trinity Valley CC, Gerard Lewis/Tyler JC, Erik Robinson/Navarro JC).
Also, I don’t recall any Texas JC signee ever transferring out from UH to move closer to home like a lot of the East Coast/Florida signees eventually did. In fact, Ryan Mouton phoned in from Texas a couple of years ago to the “Call The Coach” Show to ask the then (and nor former) HC why UH wasn’t actively recruiting JC players from Texas any more……but wasn’t provided with a reasonable explanation.
MLB infuriates us all with their black outs(only Mr. Oracle can fire up the private jet to catch a Giants game), and perhaps, that reflects in how this publication covers the sport, but the sudden death of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez is a major story, and shouldn’t be buried on page six of the sports page.
Coach Rolo:
why the hesitancy to attack the perimeters?
why so many dive -plays up the middle?
Coach Rolo:
why attack the middle on kick-off? whats wrong with the outside?
IMHO, naming Dru Brown as the starting QB is a movement toward looking/preparing for the future
however, to name IW as #2 is a step backward – put AZ as #2 — if he does not fit your “model” tell him and allow him to transfer — that goes for other young QBs who want to contribute — keeping them hanging is not right!!!
BUILD FOR THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!! let the past remain in history!
OK, my okole will remain in my seat to start the Reno game
offense and defense need players to step up and be leaders!!!! seniority has absolutely nothing to do with leadership!!!!!
Coach Rolo, I miss the glory days when points could be easily scored in a matter of minutes by the Warriors. Whether the D was in the field, the Offense, or Special Teams — it seemed we could always get the turnovers or the touchdowns. The QB is only one player and I’m happy Dru will be the starter. When do you think things will begin to click for the team as a whole? I really hope it kicks in this week with a Win! Go Warriors!
Coach Bobby Curran said we are thin on the dline and slow in the secondary. It can only be fixed thru recruiting. Is this how you see our defense at this moment?
Coach Rolo has been to a number of cfb stadiums both as a player and a coach…what aspects from any of those places does he hope can make its way to Aloha Stadium? (besides more fans, obviously)
Coach Rolo,
What is the latest status of Class of 2016 signee DB Eugene “The Dream” Ford?
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4666303/5721cb1619a53e2a186b4b81
Coach. Any plans to recruit Texas?
Don’t care who you bring in at qb,if you don’t have a defense you’re not going to win to many games. Just look at Cal.
Can’t run a fly sweep(to the perimeter) without the flies.
Can’t say who we are recruiting.
About time rolo changes QB. If he’s thinking about the future and what’s best for the team then start a younger QB not woosley who is a senior and hasn’t gotten any better since the last 4 years he’s been here. Woosley looks scared in the pocket, makes bass decisions, and is inaccurate. Watching film DB looks more like a division 1 QB than woosley. Even Tennessee martins QB looked better than woosley.
COACH ROLOVICH! That’s was the great choice you hah made!. But having Woolsey as your back up for Brown! That is a Biggest mistake! Youshh5y5
This were the best thing that Head Coach Rolovich have done!. Letting Dru Brown start at quarterback! But he should put Aaron Zwalhen as number 2 quarterback. Then put Cole McDonald as number 3 quarterback! We had enough of Woolsey at quarterback for the three years never shown nothing! And still the same person yet!. That is why the sportswriter put Hawaii to finish last place in they’re conference! Because of him starting!
It makes sense to start Dru now and to have Ikaika as the No. 2. People forget he has been our QB in 6 wins with Chow, Naeole, and Rolo. In 2014 the one season he started– he was the winning QB in 4 wins, including 3 Conference including on the road vs San Jose State. He had close losses leading until the third or fourth quarter in the game vs 3 Pac 12 teams (UW 16-17, and Oregon State 30-38, and Colorado until our D finally faded at altitude). And he had close losses vs Nevada and Fresno. In 2014, he threw 1 Int per game. With four wins, we were a single point, and a TD and FG here from bowl eligibility or a winning season.
Like all of you, I am glad the change was made. Just wished another young QB was elevated to No. 2 as a step to build for the future. I for one am excited for this coming game to see the what the team can do against a conference team. Looking at the conference schedule, the Warriors should have a chance in all but the Boise St game (Boise St is simply at another level). Hoping some of you that watch on PPV will instead come to the games at Aloha Stadium. Let’s get back to when it was “the place to be” on a Saturday evening!!!
It doesn’t matter who is the qb, if we don’t have a defense. Our defense gives up an average 45 points a game.
I remember Chow saying it may look like the same play being run, but the blocking assignments are different.
I remember Mac saying sometimes you call a certain play in order to set up the next play.
I think it’s difficult for the average fan to detect or notice the subtle differences of each play, or understand the thought process behind the play call unless they attend those informative weekly Na Koa luncheons where coaches can explain the X’s and O’s of each game.
I agree AZ should be #2!
I still think we’ll see Woolsey in the game. I think if Brown struggles to see the field correctly, Rolo or Stuz might pull him for some sideline instruction.
Will the game this weekend be live streaming?
No live streaming of any of UH football home games.
Wat happened to Aaron zalwhen? Is he injured or got in trouble? I’d like to see other players get a chance in game time. Good luck to dru brown hope he does well time for a change woosley is not the answer or future.
No live streaming of any of UH football home games IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE to all fans living on the mainland; not to mention for all the player’s families!
Can we start an online petition to correct this please???
Even for the mainland?
Or can they sell the live-stream of the games as they did a few years ago???
THIS IS HURTING THE PROGRAM BIG TIME IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.
Hopefully Norm chow’s legacy has ended, he set Hawaii football back a decade. Although Coach R once recruited Woozy, they dont always pan out. At best, Wooz would probably do well at a sub div school. Now we have a better chance. You can tell by the way Mr. Brown carries himself on the field that oozes with confidence and athleticism. Go now Hawaii!!
Guess I’ll listen to the game on the radio like it we’re still stuck in the 60’s :/
#61 al,
Harris, Ewaliko or Tom can fly.
This is one Warrior home game that I was really looking forward to watching. I mean, who wouldn’t be excited when Rolo faces his former team he coached the last four years.
I know whining isn’t going to change this but, damn, it sure makes me feel better.
Apparently the MWC site carrying the stream was hacked and the stream was made available to anyone in Hawaii. MWC did not like this and neither did Oceanic because of the fear that the free stream would cut into PPV sales. I don’t know why than cannot find a way to fix the problem.
Man im hearing the same ole morons again like back in 2011 when they wanted mack fired. U fools basically wanting Rolo to kick IW off the team. IW im calling it right now will most likely finish the season as starter. We just played 3 P5 teams and somehow we expected different results?!?!?! IW lead our offense to 31 pts vs cal who id say is on par with boise and sdsu. Then IW lead us to a come back win against UTM. Michigan dont count and AZ the WHOLE TEAM played horrible against .
U guys shouldve waited for conference olay before u threw IW under the bus again!
Great Morning All!
Looking forward to restarting the season on Saturday.
Go Warriors! Play Warriors!
Perimeter defense has the advantage of the 12th defender…the sideline.
Cal defense ranked #119
Boise #21
SDSU #27
http://www.espn.com/college-football/statistics/team/_/stat/total/position/defense
Das a BIG par! 😎
BTW, team record is only 1-2…according to some. 😆
Hopefully the full game can be rebroadcasted on YouTube.
Now that 1/3 of the season is done. Here’s my rankings for the upper echelon of FBS. My rankings aren’t a structured 1-10, but rather groups of teams. I do not factor in any pre-season rankings, as they are garbage and unfairly helps/hinders teams based non-current performance. Grouping size will change as year plays out. At this ranking, only unbeaten teams considered.
Playoff Caliber Teams:
Alabama
Louisville
Houston
Ohio St.
Wisconsin
Probable Playoff Contenders:
Stanford
Tennessee
Baylor
Texas A&M
Nebraska
Look Great but lack marquee win:
Michigan
Clemson
Washington
Fringe Contenders so far:
SDSU
Boise St.
Utah
Been there, done that…
2015 5TD-6INT, 49.0% completions
2014 13-13, 50.5%
2013 0-3, 37.9%
One more conference season?
nuff already
Why is there no comment about our defense!!
Most teams offense average points scored is between 31-37
If we can score 31-35points which we have, the defense can give up 4 touchdowns and we would still win the game. Right now we are giving up an average of 6 touchdowns a game. More emphasis should be on the defense and don’t even get me started on the special teams
Comment about the defense:
Ranked 127 out of 128.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/statistics/team/_/stat/total/position/defense
(I think the HC mentioned it on CTC.)
Yeah, but Cal’s offense is ranked #11, so that helps a lot. Sort of like many of our RnS days… high ranking offense, low ranking defense.
It’s a game of inches…
…so far Hawaii’s defense has given up 77,112 inches.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=39431