Got the time?

In 1995, three years after winning the Holiday Bowl and with a couple of years left on his revoloving football contract, Bob Wagner asked the higher-ups about his job situation. Apparently assured about his security, he started renovations on his house. With a game left in that season, he was fired. Business, he was told. Team had consecuive losing seasons, offense was uninspiring, and a change was needed to spur next season’s ticket sales.

The point wasn’t whether it was the right move — history will judge replacing Wagner with Fred vonAppen — but would Wagner have operated differently had he known he had less sand on his tenure than what he believed.

Despite injuries and suspensions, this basketball season rests on head coach Bob Nash. The team has had three consecutive losing seasons, the offense was uninspiring and budget-minded officials are concerned about next season’s ticket sales.

Same question, different Bob: Would Nash have operated differently if  he had known this was a make-or-break season, especially after receiving an extension last year?

This was to be Nash’s final year of an original three-year contract. But last year, a fourth year — 2010-2011 season — was added, with the promise of a fifth year if he met certain goals within the two-year span. Extending Nash’s contract was in contrast to the situations of volleyball coach Mike Wilton and baseball coach Mike Trapasso, who coached under soon-to-be-expiring contracts in 2009. Wilton retired as head coach, and Trapasso was given a one-year contract extension.

By extending Nash’s contract last year, it gave the appearance  his job would be safe through next season. As we’ve learned, business isn’t science.

* * * * *

Jacky Buder found a way to do what tourism officials could not: stage a Pro Bowl activity in Hawai‘i in a year when the Pro Bowl was not held here.

His Field of Legends Football Clinic was a success yesterday at Aloha Stadium. A Who’s Who of UH football standouts served as guest instructors, such as Colt Brennan, Davone Bess, Jesse Sapolu, Chad Owens, Maa Tanuvasa, Vince Manuwai, Samson Satele, Laanui Correa, Chris Brown, Eddie Klaneski, David Maeva, and so forth.

Buder had wanted to cap the morning session at 220 kids. But he extended the cap to 250 because of the large response. Another 150 attended the afternoon session for older kids.

bf-coltColt Brennan

bf-colt2Colt Brennan


fb-colt5

fb-colt6

bf-colt7

bf-davoneDavone Bess

bf-davone2Davone Bess

bf-jakeJake Ingram

bf-vinceVince Manuwai

bf-chadChad Owens

fb-adamAdam Leonard


fb-eddieEddie Klaneski

bfkids

COMMENTS

  1. Garret March 7, 2010 6:12 am

    I didn’t realize that Coach Wagner had been renovating his house when he was fired.


  2. Stephen Tsai March 7, 2010 6:19 am

    I felt bad for Wagner.
    After the 1992 Holiday Bowl, other WAC teams decided to invest more money into their athletic programs. That was the case, especially, at Utah, New Mexico and Fresno State.
    Also during that period, Wagner was told he would no longer be able to recruit partial qualifiers.
    When JJ was hired in 1999, there was an agreement that the Warriors could recruit a handful of non-qualifiers, subject to review on a case-by-case basis.


  3. expat March 7, 2010 6:23 am

    Wags was definitely not treated right. From Ferd and Dayton’s article it seem like the Wahine VB team averaged higher attendance than Men’s BB. Has this ever happened before? This must be an only in Hawaii scenario, right?


  4. expat March 7, 2010 6:24 am

    By the way, I think Nash deserves another year.


  5. Bigislandkurt March 7, 2010 6:34 am

    top 10. Happy Sunday. Go Lakers.

    BIK


  6. d1島 March 7, 2010 6:36 am

    Great Morning All!

    Buying out Nash would fulfill UH’s financial obligation to him for the extension year, would it not? With what’s left in the cupboard it seems like pretty long odds that the required goals could be met next season.

    ….and then again, as I stated yesterday, I haven’t seen the team play live in almost two years. 🙄


  7. wafan March 7, 2010 6:43 am

    Good morning, all.

    Just going to be another lazy day in the PNW.


  8. wafan March 7, 2010 6:51 am

    Hard to build anything substantial when folks keep putting in change orders sometimes, it seems, purely on the whims of a few. Eventually, someone has to pay the bill. Too bad it usually ends up being the kids.


  9. LizKauai (iPhone) March 7, 2010 6:53 am

    Aloha Kakahiaka!


  10. Annoddah Dave March 7, 2010 6:56 am

    ST & Tsaiko Blog Dogs,

    I had just about forgiven Hugh Yoshida for firing Bob Wagner and hiring his “friend” Fred Von Appen and you went and brought it up. Even Riley Wallace was upset about the firing and tried to defend Bob. Hugh is the one who made the decision to do it and it was his selection. Note that after Fred was fired, Hugh used a search committee. He did not want to be held accountable and decided to spread the grief if it were the wrong choice. As it turned out, Hugh’s successor did almost the same thing in reverse by not extending JJ.

    Now it is Jim Donovan’s turn. I say let Bob Nash fulfill the contract. If the season stinks like this year, then tell him no renewal and let him go. It seems that Bob isn’t able to motivate the players. I don’t think they want to be known as losers but it sure seemed like playing in his system did not produce winners.


  11. Stephen Tsai March 7, 2010 6:56 am

    Then again, for the lower bowl, in men’s baseketball, a season ticket is $370 and individual ticket $26; in women’s volleyball, it’s $265 and $17.


  12. Stephen Tsai March 7, 2010 7:03 am

    Like I’ve said previously, we’re all pretty sure how this thing is going to play out.
    Changes do need to be made: not just for the bottom line, which administrators are fixated, but just because UH should be competitive in basketball.
    I’m just wondering if there’s a way that changes can be made without changing the coach.
    I just don’t believe there’s money to bring in a high-profile guy who will sell more tickets. Most people tell me that, if there’s a change in coaches, they will take a wait-and-see approach. Thing is, UH doesn’t sell wait-and-see season tickets.
    So is there a way to change the offensive tempo with the current staff? If not, an AD’s gotta do what an AD’s gotta do. But change doesn’t always guarantee success.


  13. el guapo March 7, 2010 7:12 am

    Was Bob set up to fail?
    IMHO – the fumbler did not want to hire him but was under pressure to do so. He delays the hiring so Bob can’t recruit for the first season and puts him in a hole he can’t get out of. Now keep in mind the fumbler thought he would still be around to see the end of Bob’s contract. If Bob succeeds, he looks good. If Bob doesn’t, he makes holds this up as a example that the popular decision isn’t always the right decision and “you should trust my choice” when he needs to hire a new coach.
    Of course, JMHO. What do you do now? I would not want to be in JD’s shoes on this one, he can’t win either way.


  14. Emogene Feoli March 7, 2010 7:22 am

    Please read the Warrior Beat.


  15. Stephen Tsai March 7, 2010 7:26 am

    I wouldn’t want to be in JD’s shoes, either.
    JD also is entering his third year as AD, and now all of the situations are his situations.
    Extending contracts to Nash and Trapasso means they’re JD’s hires now, not HF’s.
    In review, JD is responsible for Nash, Trapasso, Takahara-Dias, Wade and Shoji.
    McMackin is Hinshaw’s hire.


  16. wafan March 7, 2010 7:30 am

    Thanks for the pix! Looks like everyone had fun and the kids sure look excited!!!


  17. AZWARRIOR22 March 7, 2010 7:31 am

    Good morning Tsaikos,

    It’s raining again for the 3rd straight weekend in Phoenix, AZ.


  18. Da Punchbowl Kid March 7, 2010 7:38 am

    Top Twenny! 🙂


  19. Manoa March 7, 2010 7:41 am

    Very sad and painful to watch. Backed Nash all the way until this year when the realization set in that he cannot do the job and it won’t turn around with Bob.

    Bad luck and decisions that looked good when made but turned real bad– decisions on recruiting, decisions on what offense to run (flex motion is fine, but it was the wrong decision in this situation), decisions on who to start, how to handle players, all of it adds up to failure.

    Now it is in Donovan’s hands to find a way to make a graceful change that will also save the program.


  20. wafan March 7, 2010 7:46 am

    #9 referred to Wags.

    In reference to Nash, looks like there will be little choice but to make a change whether it be with him, staff, players, or philosophy. Whatever is decided it will probably be painful.


  21. Da Punchbowl Kid March 7, 2010 7:48 am

    Whew-

    Glad I’m not the AD. Some very hard choices to make.

    As for me, I’m just disgusted that UH ever let JJ slip away. Don’t get me wrong, nothing against Mack, but JJ should still be our coach. The lack of leadership from the Govs office on down to the Fumbler was maddening.

    Annodah Dave-

    Great post above! Nice to see your posts again!


  22. Da Punchbowl Kid March 7, 2010 7:49 am

    Hey Brew!

    I know ur lurking, why not come out and cheer us up today?


  23. LizKauai (iPhone) March 7, 2010 7:51 am

    IMHO. There needs to be a spiritual solution to the economic problem.
    No amount of “fixing” the way we have been doing it is going to provide a lasting result.
    Just like furloughing teachers is not going to get our children educated, firing and hiring specific coaches may not address the needs of our athletic department- economic or otherwise.

    The fundamental needs of our society have not been satisfied by money alone. The human experience is based on truthfulness, love and unity. A healthy economy is a byproduct.


  24. BigWave96744 March 7, 2010 7:51 am

    20 years ago, Jacky Buder was the Bodyboarder on the Hawaii All-Star team that competed in the World Amateur Contest held at Niijima Island and Miyazaki Beach.

    After 2 weeks of grueling beach break (said to be around 6 feet or bigger Hawaiian Style), Jacky was crowned the World Champ.

    The feat was exciting at the time because he was the first Hawaiian World Champ (either Surfing, Longboard, Bodyboard, or Kneeboard) in that event since Jimmy Blears (son of Lord Tally Ho Blears) won it in the 70’s.. The next time a surfer brought home the title was Kalani Robb in 1994 in Rio DeJaneiro, Brazil,

    Also for the young bodyboarders who didn’t know Jacky, won the even in using the Drop-Knee approach rather than Prone (lying down).

    Any just some 411 on a great guy who is giving back to the community and to the athletes who wore the Green, White, Black, oh and Silver.


  25. Richie March 7, 2010 7:52 am

    ST,

    Interesting points and, yes, in the world of Division 1 athletics, business decisions certainly have to be made.

    I kind of have mixed feelings about Coach Nash as he is really a decent person and he has committed so many years to the UH program. The fact remains, though, we ended up last in the WAC. Coach Takahara-Dias was in the right place at the right time. An energetic coach who was there to step in with all of the problems that Bolla left us. I thought she was a risky pick for JD, however, as she really did not have any significant D1 coaching experience when she took over.

    Finally, as much as we also don’t want to see it happen, what if the football program slips further and we end up worse than last season’s 6-7 record? As positive and optimistic as we all want to be, and, yes, I want to see us win a WAC championship as badly as everyone else, this is certainly a situation of which JD is probably well aware and that he has thought about since last season.

    Yes, JD has a lot on his plate right now and being an AD is certainly not easy.


  26. Stephen Tsai March 7, 2010 7:53 am

    From a basketball Web site:

    The Flex offense has been around since the 1970’s and is a patterned offense featuring passing, screening, ball-reversal, options and counters. This offense is most effective against man-to-man defenses. Most scoring opportunities come off the “flex cut” inside, or a jump-shot from the elbows. Still you can run various options, counters, post plays, etc. Size mis-matches often occur due to the screening and defensive switching. This article describes the basic flex motion and a few options.

    Advantages of running the Flex offense are that it is a “continuity” or patterned offense, it is somewhat flexible, and it is relatively easy to teach. Disadvantages are it’s predictability, and that it can be defended by switching the screens. To effectively run the Flex offense, most coaches will use a few counter plays, which then discount the predictability factor. And if the defense switches screens, you can actually exploit this and take advantage of big-little defensive mis-matches.


  27. BigWave96744 March 7, 2010 7:53 am

    oops “know Jacky, won the even in” = “know Jacky, he won the event”


  28. BigWave96744 March 7, 2010 7:55 am

    Oh and in the ISA (Internationa Surfing Association)’s record book, it shows the winner at “John Buder”…. Some follow ups even had Jacky Buddah 🙂


  29. Kekoa (iPhone) March 7, 2010 7:56 am

    ST ~ Thanks for the *Legends* pics!

    I’m quite sure the Mayor of Kauai, who was a ‘Legend’ in the NFL hisself, would luv to host the next one.

    Maybe a sponsor from Maui will step up to host a weekend there. Big Hilo could prolly ‘provoke’ a sponsor to come forward to host the year after that.

    Hmmm…maybe a *Legends* event at the future Sports complex planned for the Kroc Center on the ceded lands would make for an excellent Grand Opening!


  30. Stephen Tsai March 7, 2010 8:02 am

    Kekoa:
    It was perfect timing.
    Davone was already here. Colt had a window to come over here before reporting to the Redskins. Jesse was in the islands for a Times event. It was amazing to get Samson and Manuwai.


  31. Pomai March 7, 2010 8:10 am

    Again I am not into basketball that much but we are not really talking about basketball are we, we’re talking about good old greenbacks, bottom line is the money. My take is we keep Coach Nash for his last year, if he can turn it around good give him a little more rope. If not then cut the bleeding and look for someone else, problem is we don’t have the money to hire anyone who will make an immediate impact on the game.


  32. Old School Dave March 7, 2010 8:15 am

    If a fight is scheduled for 15 rounds, yet one of the fighters is too beat up to continue, you stop the fight. Bob Nash is a Hawaii basketbll legend and a fine individual who cares about his players graduating. However, he simply hasn’t performed and produced in terms of Wins and Loses during his three seasons here. The UH AD needs to stop this fight and move in “another direction” IMHO.

    I’m not a coach or an expert, but it would seem that in Basketball, all you need are one or two “big time recruits” to turn a program around. Not the same as in football. How was the late Red Rocha able to bring in the Fabulous Five back in the 70’s? Basically, 4 JUCO players who were attracted to playing for and living in Hawaii and Coach Rocha pitched that. Tom Henderson was an Olympian who signed with UH out of JUCO and went on to play many years in the NBA. Distance is a factor, but you can also use Hawaii at a positive influence in attracting players here.

    And please don’t promote Larry Farmer. All you need to do is to talk to the people at Weber State where he was HC and you’ll know what I mean.


  33. Da Punchbowl Kid March 7, 2010 8:23 am

    Great to see the “Legends” out in force to give back. Also very impressive that Buder was able to bring it all together.

    A very important season ahead for Colt. I pray he stays healthy and is given the chance to show his stuff. I believe he will make an excellent NFL QB if those things happen.

    Its also nice to see Samson’s name mentioned up there too.


  34. Pomai March 7, 2010 8:30 am

    But I do agree with DPK I would not want to be in JD’s shoes, because he will get heat on what ever choice he makes.


  35. palolo March 7, 2010 8:45 am

    Let Nash finish his contract and bite the bullet for 2010-11. Like OSD said Nash just needs a few JUCO studs to come in turn this team around. Don’t waste money on a buy out.


  36. tommui March 7, 2010 8:49 am

    Good morning Hawaii!

    JD gets paid to make decisions – I don’t envy him for either his salary or for the position he is in.

    All I would do is wish him and his family well.


  37. Maverick March 7, 2010 9:04 am

    I am so grateful that Hawaii will always have the most generous people that can stay rooted and provide the attention to our next generation of athletes.
    How many other states in our fine nation that can match what Hawaii does with this return ?

    Bar none!


  38. Old School Dave March 7, 2010 9:07 am

    Wasn’t Red Rocha’s team before the Fab-5 something like 6-24? Four JUCO guys came in and the rest is history. Could it be done again in 2010-2011?


  39. el guapo March 7, 2010 9:14 am

    Old School Dave:

    March 7th, 2010 at 8:15 am
    How was the late Red Rocha able to bring in the Fabulous Five back in the 70’s?

    Given what Bruce O’Neill was caught doing later, do we really want to know the answer to that? Or how Tom Henderson, Tommy Barker, and Reggie Carter ended up here? Let’s just be thankful for the opportunity to have seen them.


  40. Capitol -ist/WassupDoc March 7, 2010 9:15 am

    Great pictures, Stephen.

    We spent yesterday afternoon and early evening in the Quarry. I was looking at the rock walls while sitting on the third base side of the Wahine Softball Stadium and remembering the old days of living on Dole Street and walking up and down the stairs to watch the Rainbows play baseball. Never thought back then that life would change so much.

    Let’s pull for Na Wahine this coming Wednesday. They deserve a first=-round win even though it will be a major surprise if they get it.

    I do have more information about the Blue Tent Event but am still waiting for the breakdown between the actual catering costs and the amount which will go to the baseball program.

    Got an initial diagnosis yessterday as to what is wrong with my eye. Won’t bother to post it here but feel free to ask if you’re interested.


  41. Kekoa (iPhone) March 7, 2010 9:29 am

    Coach Nash is in deep Kim Chee, no doubt.

    I believe he has a technical grasp of the game that:

    1. He has failed to pass on to his troops, and…

    2. Da troops no like Lissen!

    IMHO – This team, along with the injury bug, lacked the “pull-up-your-socks” hustle and persistance you need to run the floor. Motivational adjustments to bring spark to the offense, and dogged determination to the defense was in short supply.

    Not enuff sed! I’m sure others can, or may have
    already had their say.


  42. Kekoa (iPhone) March 7, 2010 9:39 am

    W/doc ~ Maybe you should’ve gone to see Dr. Ralph. At least with him you get excellent sports information during your treatment!


  43. Pauoa Boy March 7, 2010 9:50 am

    Coach Nash if given another year needs to revamp that offense. Like I said all year the offense is too predictable and often in slow-mo with the guys we got. I played in that offense all through high school and the only reason we made it work is cause we had speed, ballhandling, shooters, and players who knew how to improvise on their own. Plus our bigs knew how to bang down low and set picks. This team lacked just about all of the above the past couple years. Not only that, the players Nash has recruited has been subpar talent wise. I mean c’mon half these guys shouldn’t be playing D1 ball period! We’re lucky Flemings even chose to play for us, just think if he went off to Kentucky how bad this team would be??? Just Saying…IMO


  44. Pauoa Boy March 7, 2010 9:55 am

    Anyway, I hope Colt gets a chance to prove himself with Shanahan at the helm. I’ve been reading articles and stuff saying Colt has been getting big-headed a little and got cocky with Zorn, which is part of the reason he almost got cut. I dunno, I’m thinking with Campbell still on board, Collins gone, Colt still around…they are going to draft a QB this year early. Regardless I hope Colt stays humble and has the type of success he’s capable of having.


  45. Pauoa Boy March 7, 2010 9:58 am

    NYUH, with all those articles about the Phins needing a star wideout…I’m pretty sure once they see Ryan and Davone wreaking havoc all over the field they will forget about needing receivers. Davone is already proven to be one of the better slots in the game. I’m sure once Ryan gets on board it’ll be dreadhead murdah!!!


  46. Stephen Tsai March 7, 2010 10:05 am

    I think the Dolphins need a deep-pass complement to Davone Bess.
    Randy Moss helps Wes Welker.
    Rodney Bradley helps Greg Salas.
    Or is it the other way around?


  47. duffer (iPhone) March 7, 2010 10:09 am

    @ al

    playing golg with the owner of Tiffanys. Trying to get a Tsaiko discount


  48. Slugger March 7, 2010 10:31 am

    Morning!

    Great pics, ST, of the Legends clinic! Sure miss those guys.

    What percentage of the success of a team is the coaching in basketball? How many players were we missing this season? I hope Amis’ foot is completely healed by next season. Looking forward to seeing the redshirts on the floor next year.

    Congrats to Flemings on the WAC honor.


  49. Alia Markegard March 7, 2010 10:33 am

    This blog is great. How did you come up witht he idea? 9 2 7


  50. LizKauai [iMac] m/ March 7, 2010 10:36 am

    PB- there is not a truly cocky bone in Colt’s body. Writers only reflect themselves when they write about others. If anything, Colt may have been too humble and too “Hawaiian” when he got there- you know- how he always takes a “my bad” position to avoid criticizing his teammates? East coast football is the cultural opposite.


  51. anonymous March 7, 2010 10:38 am

    http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/apr2008/277_2008_apr.pdf

    This site gives the public report of the Academic Progress Rate of the various sports programs at the University of Hawaii.

    Dated 5/01/09 it details the 2007-2008 academic year.

    Mens basketball has a score of 922, which ties baseball with having the lowest scores within UH athletic programs.

    The next report dated 5/01/10 should be interesting.

    It may even beg the question of what’s going on up there.

    We’ll see.

    Hopefully there’s a ready columnist with a ready article admonishing the leadership (AD) at UH with how UH athletic teams are sinking to the bottom of the conference and also having bad APR scores.

    With all the problems plaguing the UH mens basketball team it wouldn’t surprise me if the impending APR is another black eye, especially when you see players transferring out before the season(which affects the APR) and reports of one player not attending class and being suspended.And maybe even some other incidents that the public doesn’t know about.

    What should be noted is that a score of 900 is bad. Three consecutive scores of 900 equals a strike, or sanctions. Four scores of 900 equals a forfeit from D-1.

    Hopefully JD is on top of things. We’ll see. Or he should just follow Herman. Not that it mattered I voted for Rockne. Knowing what I know know Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano would have been a better choice.

    The reason I bring up the APR is that the athletic director should take into account of not only the W-L in evaluating a coach, but also how well of a program the coach runs with keeping his players out of trouble and having them graduate (hence the APR reports) .

    If Coach Nash is given a pass, coupled with an impending APR score that I can’t see in being good, what does it say? Incompetence from the top.


  52. LizKauai [iMac] m/ March 7, 2010 10:39 am

    Yeah- Davone and RGM… tsweet!

    ST- what are the Legends doing today?


  53. Kazz (blkberry_storm) March 7, 2010 10:42 am

    Na Wahine not looking so fresh right now. Bottom of 4th with bases loaded up 1-0 with zero outs.

    Pagaduan replaced Yoshikawa at 2nd and Yoshikawa resumes her rile at SS after two consecutive errors by Iwata.

    I’m sure last nights marathon battle with #1 UW left some lasting effects mentally and physically.

    Need to start lighting it up.

    As I type this Pagaduan got walked and Tagab-Cruz scored from 3rd.

    2-0 UH still NO outs bases remain loaded.

    Parnaby is pitching.


  54. LizKauai [iMac] m/ March 7, 2010 11:07 am

    Go Wahine!!!


  55. Old School Dave March 7, 2010 11:11 am

    #40 El Guapo: (like the name)

    I’m no insider, but my impression from what I read at the time is that the violations occurred under Bruce O’Neil’s watch, particularly when (Slick) Rick Pitino was brought on staff (Reggie Carter, George Lett, Henry Hollingsworth – all transferred out after the NCAA came down on UH). Artie Wilson has a Rick Pitino story, more like a run-in he had with him back then that said a lot about the guy. The infamous Cutter Ford commercial with Aku and UH Basketballers. UH players, not just starters, driving new Fords at that time in history.

    During the Pre-WAC era, UH used to take in its share of players with “issues” from other programs. The program seemed to be out of control at that time and UH paid the price thereafter.


  56. el guapo March 7, 2010 11:24 am

    OSD,

    What I remember at the time was the copy of the rental agreement with Hollingsworth, Eddie Torres, and O’Neill as the tenants. And also that O’Neill was the assistant under Red.

    But this was a long time ago and at this point I’d rather not know what really went on 🙂


  57. Kazz (blkberry_storm) March 7, 2010 11:27 am

    Problems at 3rd gave ECU a grand slam.

    Wahine battled back to pull ahead 6-4. Ricketts replaces Parnaby.

    Now bottom of 6th.


  58. mctruck March 7, 2010 11:30 am

    Might it be that Coach Nash was also given a, “revoloving contract” as well??….bwaaahahaha!!


  59. papajoe2 March 7, 2010 11:30 am

    In the O’Neil days, players could transfer to Hawaii and I think Alaska without sitting out a year. We got some very talented, but troubled players. I can’t recall if we also had Marvin “Bad News” Barnes on our team or is it that we played alot against him. I know we had a player that coach O’Neil just couldn’t control but I forget who he was. He was very talented but was trouble. Can anyone refresh my memory? He was a very big forward.


  60. Kazz (blkberry_storm) March 7, 2010 11:38 am

    Pau
    UH 6-4.

    Will play against UW at 4pm.


  61. el guapo March 7, 2010 11:44 am

    Jimmy “Bad Boy” Baker


  62. papajoe2 March 7, 2010 11:53 am

    thanks el guapo. that’s the guy. he played a few few years in the NBA but wasn’t as dominating.


  63. buffoman March 7, 2010 11:55 am

    Coach Nash cannot change the offense. Sorry but it is something that is ingrained. If the thought is to keep Nash next year the quick has to be. Fire all of the assistants. Force him to get a new staff quickly that could insert a different court philosophy. Those coaches need to have an instant chemistry and at elast one or two D-1 player from a JUCo stashed away that would come with them to the new school. If they can mesh, Bob would need to manage and let the others tactically run the game.

    If that cannot occur, keeping things another year would not result in anything different. They could run another offense, but it would still have the flex mentality. To do different you need different.

    What I proposed is in itself a gamble simply because it would be somewhat of a miracle to find assistants from different corners that could mesh quickly.

    It is a gamble and JD, and the administration must all come to an agreement that if they keep Bob, the gate will suffer. Weighing the two options, loosing $240k to buy him out or, loose ticket sales for one possibly three years will have to be considered. It is after all a business.


  64. Old School Dave March 7, 2010 11:56 am

    El Guapo:

    Point well taken. Water under the bridge. No need to go there. However, I do remember players like Tommy Barker, Jim “Bad Boy” Baker, Boyd Batts, Marv Vitatoe, Vic Kelly (5. ft 6 USC Transfer?). Boyd Batts GF was a UH cheerleader and I recall she sued UH for something that made the news. A LOT of flashy players back then.


  65. lava March 7, 2010 11:58 am

    Seeing the pix of the Warriors is really nice.


  66. Ralph March 7, 2010 12:01 pm

    Barnes played for Texas Western, lead them to the NCAA championship and they beat Kentucky and Adolph Rupp. A movie was made of coach Haskins for being the first white coach to recruit blacks to play against all white teams.


  67. Ralph March 7, 2010 12:06 pm

    ST post on the flex motion offense tells it all, no one followed the script. Where was the cutting, screening, getting the ball into the post and paint and allowing wings to rotate or drive to the basket without the ball. And where were the adjustments during game time. Didn’t Bobby Knight run the flex motion at Indiana?


  68. papajoe2 March 7, 2010 12:18 pm

    I also recall when Bob Wagner’s teams started their downfall could be related to AC Johnson’s lost/stolen playbook. I heard that copies was passed along to WAC coaches and other schools. Don’t know if its true though.
    My take on the new MBB coach should be an assistant coach from a big time program that’s looking to get a head coaching job. He could start here and after being successful for a couple of years, we could give him a hefty pay raise to keep him here. He may like it here, in Hawaii, and, like JJ, may not need a multimillion $ pay to live here. If his program is successful and exciting, the fans will show up so we can support his pay raise. He also must bring in some recruits it hired. Most of the assistant coaches are in charge of recruiting for their current program so maybe he could “steal” some of the recruits. I really don’t think that we should hire a former D1 coach that didn’t get the job done wherever he was at just because he has D1 experience, as, Hawaii is a unique place to recruit, and if he didn’t get it done where he was at, chances are its not going to happen in Hawaii. Look at Arnold and Bolla for example. Then there’s Jaime Dixon, Rick Pitino, and other up and coming young coaches looking for a chance to have their own team and ideas. Just a thought from me.


  69. papajoe2 March 7, 2010 12:21 pm

    #69 should be “if hired”.


  70. papajoe2 March 7, 2010 12:25 pm

    thanks Ralph on #67. i saw the movie and while watching it realized that i lived through that period even though i was very young.


  71. papajoe2 March 7, 2010 12:35 pm

    i noticed only 1 senior on the WAC 1st team and a few underclassmen on the 2nd team. not good news for UH.


  72. wafan March 7, 2010 12:39 pm

    Way to go BaseBows!


  73. wafan March 7, 2010 12:40 pm

    Oops.

    BaseBows = SoftBows


  74. HiFlyer March 7, 2010 12:47 pm

    Kazz – is it raining again in Manoa?


  75. SteveM March 7, 2010 1:12 pm

    Good afternoon everyone!

    I always thought that Bob Wagner was pushed out the door with no aloha. Maybe change was needed, but Bob lost many of his top assistant coaches due to the team’s success and everyone’s expectations were very high. Tomey left at a good time, and maybe JJ too. After the Sugar Bowl everyone would expect a BCS bowl and I think the critics are taking it out on Coach Mack today. I personally like Mack and have faith.

    As for Coach Nash– after reading ST and all the comments here– I think we let him finish the contract for economic reasons, a last good shot, and aloha. Only JD knows if there is optimism in the “last good shot”. I think ST laid out the economic and ticket situation very well.

    Interesting comments about the Fab 5 coming together in one year. I was there–but Henderson played on the U.S. Olympic team and didn’t Freeman get a shot with the Harlem Globetrotters? BTW, the Globetrotters were the only basketball game I would watch from start to finish, even though I knew who would win… 🙂


  76. Old School Dave March 7, 2010 1:25 pm

    Bob Wagner had some talented assistants on his staff. Rich Ellerson, Paul Johnson, Mike Sewak, Ken Niumatalolo, Chris Smeland, Mark Banker (for only one season in 95) come to mind. Maybe Coach Wagner should have listened to some of those offers to coach at other schools after the success he had in 92.

    Problem was that the UH Athletic Dept didn’t take advantage of that success by upgrading the facilities, upgrading assistant coaches salaries, and putting money back into the football program. The Upper Campus, in their attempt to become the “Stanford of the Pacific,” also put in some very unrealistic academic requirements that hurt recruiting. They simply told Wagner to keep doing what he’d been doing with the money that he was being given. In the meantime other WAC schools, as was mentioned, stepped up their fund raising, improved their facilities, and put money into their football programs.


  77. koakane March 7, 2010 1:35 pm

    duffer (iPhone):playing golg with the owner of Tiffanys

    ok is this a new game developed in maui’s dark side

    good afternoon tsaiko country


  78. Kazz (blkberry_storm) March 7, 2010 1:39 pm

    Left UH a bit and weather was the same.

    The drizzle combined with the wind is getting irritating.


  79. EH NO MAKE ! March 7, 2010 1:42 pm

    #64 buffoman –

    I agree with you 100%, if indeed JD makes a decision to keep Nash as head coach, they need to fire all of his assistants. Clean house, make changes all the way around.

    #69 papajoe2 –

    My friend, I have to dis-agree with the thought of bringing in a top assistant from a “big time” program. Agreeing with the idea this is about buisness, well, it’s bad buisness if UH needs to up it’s pay scale for the job. Simply put, UH cannot afford a top assistant from a “big time” program. NO WAY!

    Maybe, get rid of all the current assistants an bring in the young assistant the school believes will replace Nash as head coach. Let the new, young blood help Nash “ride off into the sunset” so to speak, while the new young blood gets his feet wet.
    This kills two birds with one stone so to speak, not having to just throw away the quarter of a million dollars the school owes Nash, while the new guy gets a season of “on the job” training.

    Just a thought.


  80. Ralph March 7, 2010 1:58 pm

    mbb next year returnees on scholarship: Thompson, Xiang, Lay, Amis,Williams, Kurtz, RS Johnson and Milovic, and recruit Coleman. I don’t see a whole lot to build on or look forward to next season. Bring in a new coach, clean house, coaches and players. When Riley came in he did not renew all of the returnees scholarship. Recruit HS and Juco so the program doesn’t have a single, large graduating class or RS some of the HS recruits to stagger graduation. Hard choices, but something drastic has to be done. Look at the returnees, no way they compete for the WAC championship.


  81. Ralph March 7, 2010 2:05 pm

    watching the SEC championship game, wbb, Tennessee vs Kentucky. I only wish our mbb played with as much heart, energy and speed as these women are doing in their quest for a championship. They run plays, screen, cut hard to the basket, dive for loose balls, things I didn’t see happening to the mbb at UH. In a HA article, it mentioned that Riley Wallace didn’t recognize the flex motion offense, he claims its a power offense with hard picks and drives and cuts off the picks to the hoop.


  82. protector March 7, 2010 2:08 pm

    Like Anoddah Dave, expat, Pomai, palolo, SteveM & others, I’d like Coach Nash to have the opportunity to finish out next year. Optimistically, I expect it to be better and I detest the idea that the next coach would get the credit for what Bill Amis, the redshirts & new recruits will do. If Coach Nash doesn’t rebound from this season with a vengeance & it emulates this season, then I’ll go along with all the disgruntled Nash-detractors in bidding Coach farewell, with no qualms. Query: IF Coach Nash returns & and the team has a very successful year, will those that are calling for his head apologize for being wrong? I doubt it!

    I was extremely bothered with the classless way that UH dealt with a classy guy like Bob Wagner. I hope they don’t do the same with Coach Nash.


  83. el guapo March 7, 2010 2:24 pm

    #67

    Ralph, you’re thinking of Jim Barnes. Marvin Barnes played at Providence.


  84. Ralph March 7, 2010 2:27 pm

    yes protector I will be the first to apologize if he wins, and wins big. Winning 18 games means he lost at least 12 games or more. not good, won’t put fans in the Stanley. what are you going to do if he returns and bombs again, especially if the revenues bomb even further than this year. an apology is not acceptable for another embarressing losing season. so what you say? 34 wins out of 90 games, is a 37% winning percentage. Look at his returnees, Thompson, Lay, Williams, Coleman and Johnson are guards, Milovic and Amis forwards and Kurtz at center.Where is the PG, who plays the 2 position and can shoot the 3’s, and Milovic played 5 minutes per game in 8 games, total of 40 minutes or equivalent of one game out of possibly 30 and that was 2 years ago.


  85. Ralph March 7, 2010 2:28 pm

    thanks el guapo, i went by the name “bad news” barnes.


  86. Ralph March 7, 2010 2:30 pm

    Time to cheer the Na Wahine against UDUB, I hope it’s not raining. Come on down folks, its free except for the parking. ST suppose to be covering softball but I have yet to see him eating his chili.


  87. Sergio Scripps March 7, 2010 3:45 pm

    I like the layout of your blog and I’m going to do the same thing for mine. Do you have any tips? Please PM ME on yahoo @ AmandaLovesYou702 1 9 7


  88. A-House March 7, 2010 3:48 pm

    Yesterday, we went to see the Wahine BB team play and came away very impressed with the talent on the team.

    We sat down woth several Tsaikos on the 3rd base side in the grand stands. Ater the East Carolina game ended, Kazz, Pomai, Ralph, and Hiflyer walked away to sit above the UH dug out.

    So I says to me self, hmmmmmmm, did the “air quality change”? Couldn’t have been us was we were down wind from them.


  89. A-House March 7, 2010 3:49 pm

    BB should be SB


  90. wafan March 7, 2010 3:56 pm

    A-House . . .

    Maybe you folks were too loud.


  91. Garret March 7, 2010 3:58 pm

    Off to DC…hope there is good recruiting news or some other news about the Warriors to catch up on when I get back. I would love to meet up with CRW, but there is no way on this trip because I’m taking the red-eye and have 3 straight days of meetings (breakfast through dinner) and then fly right back after my last meeting.


  92. wafan March 7, 2010 4:08 pm

    Good luck on your trip, Garret!


  93. wafan March 7, 2010 4:09 pm

    Time for curricular work. Tsigh.


  94. LizKauai [iMac] m/ March 7, 2010 4:18 pm

    Happy meetings, Garret!


  95. […] Read the original here: The Warrior Beat| UH football, University of Hawaii athletics … […]


  96. lava March 7, 2010 4:36 pm

    JD to announce tomorrow that Nash will not return to coach the men’s team.? Tomorrow we will know for sure.

    Once the announcement is made, it will be easier to return to loving Big Bob.


  97. Committed Road Warrior March 7, 2010 4:43 pm

    Garret:

    Good luck with your meetings! I’m expecting a busy week myself, as I’ll be tying up loose ends in preparation for a three-day conference I’m hosting next week in Michigan. Almost guaranteed I’ll be working late, since this is on top of “the usual stuff”.

    Maybe next time!


  98. al March 7, 2010 4:53 pm

    el guapo…i have but one question for you.
    have you seen the three amigos lately?


  99. al March 7, 2010 4:56 pm

    duffer…if no can negotiate tsaiko discount.

    how about a round of beverages?


  100. al March 7, 2010 4:57 pm

    bingo!
    hit the century mark.
    okay. back to the honey-do list.


  101. al March 7, 2010 5:03 pm

    is there a press con set up for tomw?

    isn’t shoji going to announce his hire?


  102. Derek March 7, 2010 6:15 pm

    There is an adage that say if you’ve been doing the same things over and over again, you will always get the same results every time. The UH men’s basketball team has played bascially the same the last 3 years as far as their style of play. Meaning boring. The talent level has gone down the last 3 years, actually ever since we lost Savovic, English, McIntyre, Martin, Burneika, Simonovich, etc. the bunch that won the WAC and went to the NCAA tournament. That team could shoot the basketball and shoot the 3 the best of any UH team in history. And Mark Campbell was a very steady point guard. It wasn’t too long ago that UH basketball was exciting to watch and that NCAA team should be in the UH Hall of Honor right now hands down along w/ Warrior 2007 football team and Colt Brennan and June Jones and the offensive group of the year (Bess, Grice-Mullen, Rivers, and Hawthorne).

    But, back to bb. If Donavan keep Nash for 1 year he’s a lame duck coach because I wouldn’t give him a new contract after that. Next year’s team won’t be any better either as new recruits would be leary to come on board if the coach ain’t going to be around. The existing players in the program are what they are and are not top tier players. The shooting is atrocious. Heck, Iolani guard Kainoa Chu can shoot the ball better than any UH player right now. Period. The problem w/ UH is that they take so long to get a new coach in place. If we get a new coach by the time we get a new coach hired we lose all the recruits that could sign by the end of March and early April. Still, Donovan has to make the decision and if he has the guts to make a decision for the sake of the program. I love Bob Nash for what he has done as a player and his commitment to UH all these years. As a head coach, it didn’t work out. But I love the UH program more and I want to see the stands full again and the State of Hawaii full with pride. College basketball is exciting and we deserve an exciting team. We need a point guard like Jerome Freeman, we need a shooting guard like Dwight Holiday, we need a jumping jack like John Penebacker, we need a steady power forward like Al Davis and we need a fierce rebounder and shot blocker like Bob Nash. Surround them like guys like Artie Wilson, Newell, Willie Carter, etc. and you got the ingredients of some semblence of a tough, hard nosed, uptempo team. Now that would be exciting.

    We don’t need a high profile head coach or even a high profile assistant coach. But we need a coach who can find recruits who are correctly evaluating potential players who are Division I caliber players.
    What about a good assistant coach from Gonzaga, or a good assistant coach from a school that runs an uptembo team like Villanova. Can Jaime Dixon of Pittsburgh recommend somebody who might be good for Hawaii? What about Ken Wagner from BYUH? There are a lot of good coaches and players out there. We only need 15 players to make up a roster. But I do know we need ball handlers, shooters, and players who has an attitude that will fight to the end.

    Donovan gets paid to make decisions. Let’s see what he does. Like people has said before, it’s a business. It’s not about being a nice guy. And we all know what Leo Durocher said. “Nice guys finish last.” I’m afraid it’s time for a change and let’s try to get this thing turned around.

    P.S. At least I can see that Wahine Basketball is a lot more exciting and more uptempo under Takahara-Dias. She needs to continue to recruit players to fit the program’s style and improved talent level. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get the UConn women to come to Hawaii for a game. It will garner a very good crowd and much needed revenue for the Wahine program! Just an idea. Could the UConn women basketball team beat the UH men’s basketball team? Could Elmer Fudd pronounce the letter “R”?


  103. Kazz (blkberry_storm) March 7, 2010 8:58 pm

    Bad loss tonight for the softball team. Yes it was against #1 UW but still our errors gave them a big 4th inning.

    Troy is next this Wednesday night at 6pm. It will be televised and it IS a double header.

    Na Wahine are now 12-8.


  104. Da Punchbowl Kid March 7, 2010 8:59 pm

    Is everybody watching the Oscars?


  105. Bigislandkurt March 7, 2010 9:01 pm

    Let the rumors start flying! Nolan Richardson, Reggie Theus, Kelvin Sampson, Bobby Knight, tark da shark…

    BIK


  106. PowderPuff March 7, 2010 9:19 pm

    Yes, DPK – watching the Oscars. Oh my, did Jeff Bridges just say “Barry Markowitz?” Interesting. 🙂

    Belated congratulations to the UH men’s volleyball team for the big win last night at Northridge…go get ‘um in the ‘hood and take down the Trojans!!! And congrats to the baseball team for their offensive power on Friday’s 2nd game and yesterday.


  107. whitey March 7, 2010 9:24 pm

    good evening tsaikos.


  108. d1島 March 7, 2010 9:25 pm

    Stephen,

    Any thoughts on the Union mtg. today?


  109. d1島 March 7, 2010 9:26 pm

    Hurt Locker is an awesome movie….


  110. Curt March 7, 2010 9:30 pm

    papajoe2 (regarding #60):

    Could you be talking about forward Ray Reid? As I recall, he was a big-time player but had some “issues.”


  111. Kazz (blkberry_storm) March 7, 2010 9:30 pm

    The UCONN women would be great to see in person.

    It will be interesting to see how they do against Wahine Water Polo.


  112. whitey March 7, 2010 9:30 pm

    didn’t know that one of my brother’s friend, Creighton Kamana (ret MPD) was related to Elvis who is going to Utah State. Found out that it is his grandson. Creighton is very ill and is hospitalized on Oahu. I am not sure, but I think he went to Kamehameha School, so maybe some of the Tsaikos may know him. UH tried to recruit Elvis, but he will go to USU.


  113. whitey March 7, 2010 9:36 pm

    al, first “batch” neva come out too good, so now working on new formula. get plenty potential!!!!!


  114. Curt March 7, 2010 9:36 pm

    d1,

    I’ll have to check out the Hurt Locker. My wife and I enjoyed Avatar. I haven’t been keeping up with the Academy Awards; I’ll have to find out who won Best Picture.


  115. jm2375 (21) March 7, 2010 9:48 pm

    howzit!

    a-joe – ck your email

    having problems w/ our modem. gonna try to get a new one tomorrow. hope the line isn’t too long @ Oceanic. Current modem is 5 or 6 yrs old.


  116. jm2375 March 7, 2010 10:39 pm

    testing testing


  117. jm2375 March 7, 2010 10:41 pm

    where’d errybody go?


  118. jm2375 March 7, 2010 10:52 pm

    119


  119. LizKauai (iPhone) March 7, 2010 11:03 pm

    Nitey Nite!


  120. LizKauai (iPhone) March 7, 2010 11:07 pm

    #107- PP – that is Barry Markowitz the DP, not Barry Markowitz the dad of Abe. 😆


  121. papajoe2 March 7, 2010 11:11 pm

    Curt, it was Jimmy Baker that I was thinking of. And yes, Hurt Locker was a good movie.
    My thought of firing the UH MBB assistant coaches. Bob Nash is still the leader no matter who he gets under him. The system played will be his and will the new assistants have any say as to how to coach BN’s team. If they take over after learning from BN, won’t they be learning the same thing as BN? I don’t hate BN as I was one of the people who wanted him as the HC, but after 3 years of boring and losing basketball, I think we should look in another direction. If JD should retain BN, I still would cheer for UH and hope they win all their games. This year was hard watching them and I’m sure a lot of fans lost intrest .Their schedule wasn’t very strong and yet we lost and played lousy doing it. I still love UH, BN and MBB but looking at what they have returning and the recruits so far, next year will be a long year without any changes.


  122. Ralph March 7, 2010 11:26 pm

    MBB scheduled a cream puff non conference home schedule, coupled with a relatively weak WAC, and yet the team finished 10-11 at home. Shouldn’t take a genius to rationalize why attendance is down, and don’t blame it solely on the economy. Had mbb played like the Na Wahine in vb or Charlie’s mvb, the crowd would have come out and the energy and excitement would have helped us feel better during these tough economic times. Paying $26 for a lower bowl seat is too much to have to watch mediocre competition (cream puff scheduling), poorly played basketball and to top it off, we lose more often than we win.


  123. Pomai March 8, 2010 2:48 am

    #89 A-House

    Na, we don’t sit der most of the time cause hard for see with da post in da way, I wen yell at you “Eh go move over der” but I guess you nevea hear me. Next time I go grab Mrs. A-House den I know you goin follow.


  124. wafan March 8, 2010 3:12 am

    Good grief, it is Monday morning.

    The bright side is that if you are reading this you are alive!

    Whoo-hoo!!!


  125. d1島 March 8, 2010 5:56 am

    Great Morning All!

    Looks like lots of folks unsure about their upcoming paychecks. 🙁

    HiHo….


  126. jm2375 March 8, 2010 6:03 am

    Good morning!!

    I hope everyone is staying dry today. I went out to walk the puppy and got 10 feet from the house and had to come back in. Pouring rain and wind makes for a miserable time, for me anyway, puppy no care.

    Hiho off to work. bbl. see you on the next post…


  127. LizKauai [iMac] m/ March 8, 2010 6:26 am

    Aloha Kakahiaka!
    Please send some rain to wessai Kauai.
    Have a great day, everyone!


  128. Capitol -ist/WassupDoc March 8, 2010 6:29 am

    Sorry, A-House – didn’t see you at the softball game on Saturday. We came into the softball stadium after the baseball game across the street and headed for our seats in the top along the third base side. I always see DaBoyz sitting below us and to our right.

    Yesterday’s game was a huge disappointment in several different ways – errors both physical and mental, carppy weather, and a lot of local folks cheering for UDub. As far as I could tell, none of the current players is from Hawai`i.

    Back to campus for an all-day workshop but will try to get therest of the information about the Budweiser Blue Tent Event during a break. .

    jm2375 and Pomai – please let me know if you want the volleyball and baseball tickets. Another double-booked series is on the 18th and the 20th. We’re doing baseball on Friday night and volleyball on Saturday night so the other two tickets are available each night. Please call or send an e-mail to swood at hoku dot com. Mahalo.

    Off to learn stuff.


  129. Buffoman March 8, 2010 7:07 am

    #123 – Ralph – BINGO!

    True. On the other hand, if the team was up tempo and exciting (like Charlie Wade’s VB team), it could be anybody as “victim” and the Stanley would be rocking.

    The problem is that the team was boringly slow paced, predictable and as unattractive as “Brussell Sprouts”. Add to that a disinterested looking cast of individuals parading as a team and it spelled disaster.

    No, simply put, even if everyone was healthy, the product would still have been sub-par, resulting in a half empty Stanley and maybe no as many people looking for a change at HC, but still people looking for a change.

    Heck, when Dave’s team maeks it to the final four and does not win the championship, people want a change!


  130. Da Punchbowl Kid March 8, 2010 7:54 am

    Good Morning Gangeez! 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Stay dry folks!


  131. NYUH March 8, 2010 8:30 am

    I believe RGM was consistently timed faster than Bess so maybe that fits into the Miami plan.


  132. papajoe2 March 8, 2010 9:36 am

    news conference at 11. Nash firing? can they use another word instead of firing? sad, but needed.


  133. jm2375 March 8, 2010 10:21 am

    Congrats to Stephanie Ricketts and Josh Slaats on being named WAC pitchers of the week.


  134. […] here:  Got the time – The Warrior Beat| UH football, University of Hawaii … tags: 2007-2008-academic, academic, academic-progress, hawaii, sports-programs, the-public, […]


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