Quarterback options

In the figurative sense, Ikaika Woolsey has set the bar high in the hope of winning the Rainbow Warriors’ quarterback competition.

In the literal sense, Woolsey has set the bar heavier. Woolsey has been lifting weights with the linemen during offseason conditioning drills.

UH coach Norm Chow and quarterbacks coach Jordan Wynn have opened the competition at quarterback. Woolsey was credited with two starts last year. (Against San Jose State, Woolsey opened at quarterback while quarterback Sean Schroeder was aligned as a receiver.)

Taylor Graham, who started the first three games in 2013, is recovering from surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, but is expected to be available for spring training in April.

Jeremy Higgins is entering his fourth year in the UH program.

Adonis Phillips, UH’s only walk-on quarterback, was used on the scout team last year.


Beau Reilly, who signed with Colorado State before going on a two-year church mission, joins the Warriors this summer. He will have five years to play four seasons.

Max Wittek, who plans to transfer after earning his USC degree in May, will visit Texas this weekend. He is considering whether to visit Hawaii the following weekend. Wittek will not have to redshirt, and will have two years to play two seasons.

* * * * *


There are at least three other FBS players looking to transfer who have contacted UH.

Recruiting is a work in progress.

COMMENTS

  1. Warrior Dave February 10, 2014 8:03 am

    #1?


  2. Bugaz February 10, 2014 8:07 am

    Best wishes in getting a winning QB and back up on the field this season.


  3. Warrior Dave February 10, 2014 8:08 am

    I still believe that Taylor Graham is very capable of leading us to a winning record providing the oline gives him some protection. Can’t do much if you constantly running for your life or on your back looking up at the stars.

    Been a loooong time since I was #1.


  4. tommui February 10, 2014 8:09 am

    GOOD MORNING HAWAII!

    GO ‘BOWS!


  5. Bugaz February 10, 2014 8:10 am

    Oline play needs to improve greatly as well.


  6. Bugaz February 10, 2014 8:11 am

    I agree with you on Graham, but him being hurt doesn’t help.


  7. Bugaz February 10, 2014 8:13 am

    Woolsey working closely with the linemen should greatly help his cause.


  8. jm2375 February 10, 2014 8:15 am

    Good morning Tsaikos!

    Best wishes to all the QBs. Hope the competition makes everyone better.

    GO BOWS!
    GO WAHINE!


  9. Stephen Tsai February 10, 2014 8:15 am

    John Wa‘a, Dejon Allen, Elijah Tupai and R.J. Hollis should boost the o-line.
    Word is that Kory Rasmussen and Nick Childs will be getting a look on the o-line this spring.


  10. A-House February 10, 2014 8:24 am

    ST:

    Your remark that 3 more FBS players want to transfer to UH

    does not matter from which school, but they must sit out 1 year per transfer rule unless he graduates or was and still is a “walk-on” status

    any “tibits” on position and if any are “bounce-back” local boys?


  11. Warrior Dave February 10, 2014 8:30 am

    I love bounce back players. The earlier the better. Can’t wait until ST is able to release the names.

    Also good idea to have Kory and Child’s a look at oline. At this point, it’s a panic situation and should be all hands on deck to protect the QB and open holds for the running backs.


  12. Stephen Tsai February 10, 2014 8:41 am

    A-House:
    Two need to graduate in May, but then they won’t have to sit out.
    I’m unclear about one because of his unique situation.
    Not sure of UH’s interest, or whether there’s cap space.
    Like I said, recruiting is an on-going process.


  13. Stephen Tsai February 10, 2014 8:42 am

    Speaking of which, looks like Texas Tech is making its move on one of the state’s top juniors.


  14. Ipu Man February 10, 2014 8:48 am

    Texas weather is not too hot right now, so head for Hawaii and play in the surf.


  15. sofaking_blk February 10, 2014 8:52 am

    The QB competition should be very interesting this year especially if we get Whittek. This year’s Offense should be very competitive but the QB posititon is the only one with the biggest ? mark. The QB battle should be ongoing until at least 2 week before the season starts. If it’s over in two weeks time then I know that Chow is full of crap.


  16. Warrior Dave February 10, 2014 8:58 am

    #13 ST, is this the same junior that UH and another school has already offerred a scholarship to? I’ve read he’s the read deal so good luck to this young man. I forgot his name.


  17. sofaking_blk February 10, 2014 9:11 am

    #15

    Wat I meant to say was 2 weeks into the spring.


  18. NorthShoreFan February 10, 2014 9:14 am

    Guud Morning Tsaikos…hope to see more sun today..

    totally agree with #3..SS did really great when he had sometime and he learned to get it out faster…everything starts in the trenches…IMUA WARRIORS!


  19. Haleakala February 10, 2014 9:15 am

    Go Bows!

    Go Warriors!

    I feel better about the quarterback situation than I have for quite a while.


  20. whittekwontplayhere February 10, 2014 9:29 am

    He ‘s not going to go from USC to play for Hawaii. Get real. I’m a UH fan, but this is why all of you always get so upset on these forums. Quit thinking Hawaii is going to get 4-5 star recruits, top coaches for such small pay, or the top local players to stay…

    UH is a bad program right now. The facilities are bad. In 1999 its ok. Now in the world of facebook and twitter we are just not going to cut it. USC has like a 75 million dollar brand new facility. We can’t even get a joint facility going. Our program due to social media is on blast as one of the worst due to facilities.

    Just waste your money like me on tickets and just take it for what it is.


  21. Former UH Athlete February 10, 2014 9:31 am

    ST…

    Let me revise… Recruiting is -always- a work in progress.

    Glad to hear UH in on Wittek’s radar. Not sure if Texas fans would welcome him since he wasn’t able to win the job at USC.


  22. Haleakala February 10, 2014 9:38 am

    Even trolls like to crawl out from under the bridge once in a while.


  23. third billy goats gruff February 10, 2014 9:51 am

    Where troll? Me take care of troll!


  24. tommui February 10, 2014 9:59 am

    Trolls slithered from under the rocks where they dwell. No guts to use his real name when he attacks.


  25. A-House February 10, 2014 10:03 am

    I thought Kaumatele(sp) already told the Stanford coach that he will join his older brother next year – not so?


  26. kifi February 10, 2014 10:03 am

    #20 – Doesn’t matter if he picks Hawaii or not. It is a team game. It doesn’t depend on one player. Maybe Wittek transfers maybe not. If not him, then it’ll be someone else with FBS experience. The coaches know what they are doing. They are making the best of the situation. The program will get better when the attitude of those involved get better. A football program doesn’t begin with money and facilities. It begins with people and attitudes. People who don’t sit around and complain about their lot in life. But people who through their dissatisfaction, commit to do something about it. People who commit money and facilities, but more importantly, people with ideas and attitudes that will not accept failure.


  27. Rodney February 10, 2014 10:05 am

    #20 how did a 4 Star from ucla pick hawaii???
    We ain’t all that bad


  28. Rodney February 10, 2014 10:11 am

    We need a Qb that has leadership. Command the huddle
    Knows the play book a We guy!! And he gotta hit the TE
    And 15 out pattern across hash.We need a smart guy
    who can spin it,with a little mobility.


  29. ILikeUnique February 10, 2014 10:12 am

    ST…

    Tell us more about this “unique situation” at QB… Brennan was a unique situation… I like unique.


  30. Rodney February 10, 2014 10:13 am

    LB Castro welcome to hawaii


  31. HALEAKALA February 10, 2014 10:13 am

    A-House: I believe ST was referring to Fred Ulu-Perry. There was mention of Texas Tech recruiting him recently.


  32. Inyoface February 10, 2014 10:18 am

    You can play at any school in the United States and get looked at at the next level if you’re good.


  33. al February 10, 2014 10:26 am

    ah…the subliminal message.


  34. al February 10, 2014 10:28 am

    i know of two midwesterners that are leaving big time programs. i’d eliminate one due to having only a year left.


  35. Lowtone123 February 10, 2014 10:28 am

    I think Graham can still be a factor if he can be more comfortable in the pocket. He has the physical tools and looked good in practice but when the lights came on…different story. Feeling pressure, reading coverages, going through progressions. It seems a lot of the time he was locked on one receiver on a given play. Hope Wittek comes here if he does he’ll be in the mix as well.


  36. BigWave96744 February 10, 2014 10:28 am

    Helps that that Junior has a brother helping the Red Raider Staff and another brother transferring there and playing his senior year 🙂


  37. BigWave96744 February 10, 2014 10:30 am

    Wasn’t Aaron Zhwalen a 4*QB?


  38. KAPAA WARRIOR February 10, 2014 10:35 am

    Thanks for the intel on the OLINE crew ST ! I love my pass pro and run blocking homey’s up front! Aloha ST ! Go BOWS ! Let’s get better ! Hard Work Work !!!!!!


  39. Da Punchbowl Kid February 10, 2014 10:36 am

    As far as transfers – the more the merrier. What ever position they play, the cream will rise to the top.


  40. Da Punchbowl Kid February 10, 2014 10:38 am

    We gots some good looking young linemen. A year or two with Naeole should produce a very stable situation already. We’ll see come spring practice, they may be ready to roll even then.

    GO WARRIORS!!!


  41. al February 10, 2014 10:42 am

    …and yet, ikaika’s journey has yet to unfold. i can see him emerge from the spring drills on top. what challenges the summer will be of great interest.

    unless beau reilly is ready by fall camp, which would really be something given the 2 1/2 year hiatus. he’d be a contender in a year or two. if, on the other hand, he’s ready and wins out. then, i’d be thinking holy grail stuff.

    back to ikaika, he has that bryan moniz thing about him. athlete first, who can sling the ball and does all the right stuff to prepare.


  42. Leahi2 February 10, 2014 10:44 am

    I remember the time when JJ came over to Hawaii to turn the season around. After that first season it was mentioned on the Bobby Curan show that a lot of Hawaii players were interested in transferring back home to play. So isn’t it strange that today, after two losing seasons, we still find players interested in transferring back to Hawaii. Well I guess not everything’s good at a mainland school. Notwithstanding the hoopla of Big Time Football, I would guess that homesickness can creep in somehow. Now its got to be things about friends, relatives, girlfriends, plate lunches, the beaches, surfing, and of course the good weather. Its not funny going to practice in the cold weather, and in some cases very cold. In places like Oregon State it rains a lot and its not Hawaiian rains. Its Shivering Rain.

    Now even in a scholarship situation, I would think that the family would still have to cough up a lot of support monies. This last comment brings up; the subject of underhanded payoffs. Well anyway I hope the next crop of Hawaii Players are reading this! Amen.


  43. al February 10, 2014 10:44 am

    kory’s got loads of potential. even a te candidate methinks.


  44. Da Punchbowl Kid February 10, 2014 10:49 am

    What’s going on?

    http://www.staradvertiser.com/sportspremium/20140210__Kahuku_asks_all_coaches_to_reapply.html?id=244674381

    All coaches at Kahuku High School, including football head man Reggie Torres and his assistants, have been asked to reapply for their positions.

    Coaches at the school received letters nearly two weeks ago telling them the news. The positions were advertised the following Friday.

    The letters were sent out as part of new principal Pauline Masaniai’s review of the athletic department. Masaniai took over for Donna Lindsey on Dec. 23.

    “I wanted to do this a long time ago,” Masaniai said. “I wanted a chance to notify each coach and express my appreciation for them and share the goals for our academic institution.”


  45. Kannakattack February 10, 2014 10:50 am

    #37

    He was rated:
    4-star by ESPN
    2-star by scout.com
    3-star by 24/7 sports…

    Kind of all over the place and I’m not sold to be honest… The “future” needs to be here this summer.


  46. Kannakattack February 10, 2014 10:54 am

    #29

    If it’s who I think it is… I think he’s being courted by a couple other “better” programs atm… BYU, UTAH, UNLV and WAZZU.


  47. HALEAKALA February 10, 2014 10:56 am

    #42. Good perspective.


  48. mikesmith February 10, 2014 11:02 am

    ST, just wondering about the Kurt Goviea hire, it was my understanding that Jerry Porter and Kurt did not meet the minimum qualifications for the UH job posting, you mentioned that before. I would have much rather seen a young Jerry Porter to infuse that Steeler defensive attitude into the LBs, he was tuff & I’m a Steeler Fan. I am sure Kurt will do a good job too, just my bias desire. How did they circumvent the UH legal posting?


  49. Manoa Mist February 10, 2014 11:07 am

    When did we start saying that Aaron Price was fired? I remember reading this blog and it was specifically said that Aaron Price was not fired and did not resign? Was I just dreaming again?


  50. Pu'uwai February 10, 2014 11:14 am

    Does Graham have 1 year left or 2?

    Imua Rainbow Warriors!!!


  51. al February 10, 2014 11:16 am

    you mean joey porter.


  52. jeezy33 February 10, 2014 11:17 am

    49. haha glad someone else noticed it…


  53. al February 10, 2014 11:18 am

    1 year unless he applies for a medical redshirt since he played in only 3 games last year. unless he already played that card.


  54. amela February 10, 2014 11:37 am

    Speaking of O line what about Kiha Sai who was a beast in high school?


  55. amela February 10, 2014 11:39 am

    Wasn’t there another JC O lineman that was brought in along with Hollis?


  56. jonj February 10, 2014 11:52 am

    54 I didn’t think he was that good. Im thinking he might start to contribute as a RS Junior. The other lineman was Sully-weiffels who transferred mid season. believe he just signed with CSU


  57. Pu'uwai February 10, 2014 12:11 pm

    #53…Mahalo al.

    Imua Rainbow Warriors!!!


  58. Turfwar February 10, 2014 12:12 pm

    If Waa, Allen, Tupai and Hollis work out that would mean three freshmen and a soph could anchor the line for a while.


  59. Turfwar February 10, 2014 12:20 pm

    Sulley committed to CSU then signed with Colorado.


  60. jeezy33 February 10, 2014 12:28 pm

    54. Far from beast in high school. Saw a small lineman from Radford giving him fits all game in pre season.


  61. jeezy33 February 10, 2014 12:33 pm

    58. Barring injury, I’m pretty sure Kody Afusia and Ben Clarke will start. So that leaves 3 open slots to start. Of course there will be an injury at some point or some kind of substitution so all should play. I wouldn’t count out Leo Koloamatangi(SO) and David Griffin(Sr) either. Griffin was supposed to be Blake Muirs replacement. Lets hope Beemer can mold him into shape and he can buy into Naeoles coaching.


  62. bowwar February 10, 2014 1:01 pm

    Can’t wait till Spring practice, as it will be very interesting to note where our “weaknesses” are and where we have some strength. Hopefully, Fall camp will resolve the weaknesses or we’ll be in for a long season. QB is probably the biggest question mark, as we’ll need a “trigger man” to move the offense and put up some points. If we find the right trigger-man, I believe we can surprise some folks in the Mountain West.


  63. Derek February 10, 2014 1:23 pm

    I’m just putting it out there. Is Norm Chow doing a good job? Are we getting the results that we want? Are Carl Clapp, & John McNamara doing a good job a Asst. Athletic Directors. Is Gib Arnold a good coach? Is he being outcoached in the second half? Is Trapasso a good baseball coach? Is Chad Konishi that bad a pitching coach or was he just a scapegoat for bad pitching performances? Is UH’s baseball recruiting good enough to be an upper echelon team in the Big West? Or should be go in another direction and get a better baseball coach? Was isn’t Rick Blangiardi and John Fink, two influential people in the media speak out more about the UH’s plight with the Aloha Stadium and how we (UH) are getting screwed. The only person has spoken out about it, to his credit, is Dave Reardon. And Bobby Curran on the radio. And I don’t know what the hell Tom Apple and the Governor are doing anything about it. Feel sorry for Ben Jay who wants to do a lot of things, but things are so slow to get done, ala Ching Field for starters. It just bugs me to no end. As a Senior citizen who knows how much time we have left to see what UH “can” be to be a first rate athletic program.


  64. sofaking_blk February 10, 2014 1:39 pm

    #63
    To fix the problems at UH first you have to admit that there IS a problem.


  65. WarriorNY February 10, 2014 1:41 pm

    This is kind of random… But for those who are going to follow the LA Kiss and Colt Brennan, it looks like they will have a reality show on AMC… Hopefully the players will get some TV money from it… According to this article it seems like Colt may be featured… Random I know but thought I should share…

    http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/2014/02/gene-simmons-returns-to-reality-tv-with.html?m=1


  66. bowwar February 10, 2014 1:53 pm

    I would prefer seeing Colt in a legitimate football league…Boy, its too bad he was released by the Redskins after beating out Daniels on the roster.


  67. st. anthony trojan February 10, 2014 2:01 pm

    # 63 DEREK me agree with you 110%… why are not more people speaking out.. guess they are afraid of losing their jobs huh..the excuse we see over n over n over n over…”is upper campus” or “administration” when sum thing is nixed..mr. price several years back said he quit because promises were not kept.. jj said about the same..mr. yee said.. he gave up because even the basis fundraising program etc.. had so much bull s..t to go through…then that so called concert… woopie it goes through in a flash with no oversight…well my new years wish would be.. to have names when sumthing is turned down..boss or no boss..once we can “pin the tail of the donkey” sort of..then we have sum meat to get into… as it is now.. no one knows.. n they “see what i mean” they get away scott free.. to keep on doing..over n over n over..nix that…nix this.. n no accountability..to ne one..please don’t use “sumone in admin” or “upper campus”…. be like a cop.. get names…mr. bj.. are u ok with that..was a good start you had.. with all that ruckus about the light bulbs.. but then what ?????? well folks you cant fight..if you not know who ur opponent is…like a salesman.. asking a client…why he/she wont buy.. n the answer is.. because…well that is not an objection that s sales person can put their teeth into…so like that salesman.. we need names…n maybe if the same name keeps popping up… then we have someone we can get after…
    IMUA..

    JUST ON ANOTHER MATTER st… do you know if wittek is podogee..omg..then we may have a 3 podogees on lower campus.. n one speaking one..would that constitute a podogee mafia… like the past hawaii county police dept before ??


  68. jonj February 10, 2014 2:05 pm

    just checking out Nevada Qb recruits and looks like Rolo found their Johnny Football in chris Solano http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guOfNI-Rjeg


  69. Pete Jek February 10, 2014 2:41 pm

    #20 – Taylor Graham, 4* QB from THE Ohio State University. Sean Schroeder, 3* QB from Duke University. Let’s be honest. The only reason why they transferred to UH is because of Norm Chow. Norm Chow alone. Contrary to what many short-sighted UH fans with selective memory think, Coach Chow’s pedigree as a QB coach is undeniable. You can attribute his success to the “talent” he had, but that in no way whatsoever can dismiss the fact that he’s a quality coach and a great offensive mind.


  70. nuff February 10, 2014 2:53 pm

    sofaking_nuff den! yak yak yak


  71. Pete Jek February 10, 2014 2:58 pm

    UH’s budget issue is not a spending problem, it’s a revenue problem. The school can’t cut its way out of the situation, nor should it place the burden on the backs of its students or corporate sponsors. The athletic program can only go as far as the community – i.e. fans – take it. And judging by the pulse of the community or State at large, that’s a dangerous position to be in. Hawaii “fans” view UH sports as a commodity. They have no loyalty to the program and will only support it if it’s successful. And the support is minimal anyway. How can a reasonable person expect UH to be competitive in that kind of environment. Making the Hawai’i Bowl should be considered a miracle given the lukewarm, borderline apathetic support the school gets from the fans.


  72. whitey February 10, 2014 3:04 pm

    good to read about all the new coach hires by the MWC teams. This is a big plus for the conference and all the teams


  73. Pete Jek February 10, 2014 3:08 pm

    #72, a mid-major program will have its up’s-and-down’s. The losing is only a part of the problem. Equally if not more problematic is the fact that the expectations don’t match reality. It’s like the ugly girl in a group that thinks she’s attractive because her friends are. Or a KPT resident driving around in a Cadillac.


  74. Kevin In Nalo February 10, 2014 3:17 pm

    speaking of QB’s, look what I found. . . being a heavy metal fan since the late 70’s. . . .guess sometimes. . . no matter what happens. . .you can get LUCKY! 🙂

    http://ultimateclassicrock.com/kiss-football-team-reality-show/


  75. Inyoface February 10, 2014 3:19 pm

    Zorn was the worst coach could have played for.


  76. justsomeguy February 10, 2014 3:53 pm

    #72 sofaking_blk

    I can’t argue with those numbers, there is a lot of improvement that needs to be done. But let’s be realistic and say that ALL of this isn’t Norm’s fault. There are so many contributing factors you could write a book on it.

    On another note:

    I love what Colt did for this university, he was amazing to watch on the field. He seemed like a genuinely nice person as well, but he was not without his own faults. I have it on first hand account that he was so high before the Sugar Bowl in 07′ he needed an I.V. just to play. Perhaps he didn’t always make the best decisions in Washington as well.

    I do wish him the best though, perhaps one day he’ll get another shot in the league.


  77. ai-eee-soos February 10, 2014 4:14 pm

    around the MWC neighborhood.

    this rumor has been going on for over a week:

    San Jose State: Greg Robinson is expected to be the new defensive coordinator at San Jose State pending final clearances per sources. The same has been reported by the San Jose Mercury News, other local outlets and 247 as well.


  78. amadeus February 10, 2014 4:15 pm

    Texas Tech after Breiden Fehoko, Farrington.


  79. kev-1 February 10, 2014 4:28 pm

    #65 WarriorNY . . . thanks for that info. My interest is definitely peaking. And yes, to Inyoface, Zorn was bad for Brennen. While it was Zorn who drafted him, he considered Colt a project to change from a gunslinger to a traditional QB. We know that isn’t Colt. However, I will concede that it doesn’t seem like Colt had his focus on all the time. Maybe a guy who never really practiced as lights out as he played?????


  80. kev-1 February 10, 2014 4:29 pm

    RE: Woolsey in the weight room. It’s great that he is putting on muscle ahead of the season, but I would much rather have read about him spending some meaningful time with a QB mentor working on his decision making and touch on his passes.


  81. kev-1 February 10, 2014 4:30 pm

    RE: Fehoko . . . really don’t care. Anyone who pays attention knows that family doesn’t want to stay home to play ball. Sights are (and have always been) higher than Hawaii.


  82. kev-1 February 10, 2014 4:32 pm

    RE: Graham . . . was disappointing when he played last season, but then again didn’t really get his chance to go through the mistakes and learn. He did show progress over the first couple of games, but injury killed it. His current recovery will hurt him for sure.


  83. redraider4life February 10, 2014 4:55 pm

    Word on the street is rich miano wants to be the coach! Let the recruiting begin!


  84. Boolakanaka February 10, 2014 4:55 pm

    As I have previously stated, the revenue flow of every solvent athletic program is balanced on the following: students fees, ticket sales and TV contracts. A handful of programs have exclusive and/or significant apparel contracts, which create a fourth revenue flow, but for the vast majority of schools, that is not the case.

    While certainly our student activity fees are towards the bottom, and should be adjusted, a $30, more per semester, will result in approximately 2.5-3.0 million in additional revenue. This is a straight forward solution towards one of the delineated areas. What is more problematic is selling more tickets, or obtaining a more lucrative contract. In these areas we are somewhat limited by our population base… No easy solutions that have any built-in sustainability…


  85. jm2375 February 10, 2014 5:03 pm

    Gotta agree on Zorn and Colt, but in my mind (warped as it is), the ultimate blame goes to Dan Snyder, the owner. Who in their right mind hires an OC BEFORE hiring a head coach????? Someone once said Snyder likes to use the Redskins as his real-life fantasy team. I believe it.

    I also won’t ever understand how a player can influence, even dictate, which coach is hired. Moreso in the NBA than the NFL, but looks like RG3 had a hand in getting Shanahan fired.


  86. old808 February 10, 2014 5:10 pm

    I don’t know what’s going on out at Kahuku but the principal is basically having all the coaches step down and reapply is a slap in the face. Maybe we are not getting all the facts but to say on one hand that she wanted to express her appreciation of her coaches and on the other hand say please reapply because we want to make sure we have the best coaches for our students. She is from the community who graduated from Kahuku High School and BYU-Hawaii. She has a lot of Ohana out there but something smells.


  87. old808 February 10, 2014 5:12 pm

    Redraider4life do you know what’s going on out in Kahuku? Oh where does Miano want to coach at?


  88. Old School Dave February 10, 2014 5:15 pm

    I remember back in the early 80s when the new AD at Damien made all of the coaches reapply for their positions. The head football coach at the time, Charlie Ane, decided not to.


  89. old808 February 10, 2014 5:27 pm

    All I can say is sometimes being a high school coach can be a thankless job. I know a lot of these coaches give it their all with love for the school, the kids and the community. The community out in Kahuku has factions that create an interesting atmosphere especially with football. I see the baseball coach has stepped down. He did a good job with what he had and the bad baseball field at Kahuku District Park.


  90. al February 10, 2014 5:52 pm

    no chance it’ll be miano. there’s another neighborhood candidate who would apply only if reggie decides to take it easy.

    but, to some degree you are correct in the subliminal sense that miano may not be back at kaiser.


  91. mikesmith February 10, 2014 6:15 pm

    Joey, opps, senior moment.


  92. Warrior Dave February 10, 2014 7:08 pm

    I would be shocked if Coach Torres decided not to reapply. He had a rebuilding year in 2013 but it’s acceptable now and then.


  93. Stephen Tsai February 10, 2014 7:25 pm

    Joey Porter was indeed a candidate.
    But he has five kids and, in the end, UH could not afford him.


  94. Stephen Tsai February 10, 2014 7:26 pm

    Miano isn’t going to Kahuku.
    Miano was recently hired to work with a company on the docks.


  95. kev-1 February 10, 2014 7:47 pm

    #94 . . . case and point. Hawaii = who you know.


  96. kev-1 February 10, 2014 7:49 pm

    I don’t get it though. Why would a job with a company on the docks prevent him from coaching at Kahuku? I am assuming he will continue his Kaiser coaching career.


  97. kev-1 February 10, 2014 7:49 pm

    Not that I think he would go to Kahuku anyway. He just doesn’t fit.


  98. nana February 10, 2014 7:57 pm

    What will happen to Kaiser and Kalani football in 2014?


  99. Stephen Tsai February 10, 2014 8:00 pm

    Kev-1
    Distance. He lives in Hawaii Kai.


  100. markazulu February 10, 2014 8:06 pm

    What is this article about Aloha Stadium putting UH in a Bind


  101. A-House February 10, 2014 8:16 pm

    several posted recently that UH football program is a money winner, but the non-revenue sports are pulling finances down and direct result for annual deficit.

    then why not divide the UHAD budget into 2 parts – football only and a separate budget and allocation from upper campus and/or the Legislature to fund all non-revenue sport such as track & field, water polo, swimming & diving, men/women golf, etc.

    the final figures will show who needs what and, if football profitable, any excess is turned over to the UHAD to balance the other half of the budget – however, the non-revenue sports must be fully funded including all travel expenses – any surplus beyond this goes into an escrow UHAD account for “rainy-day” fund

    so many ways to slice up the pie – be practical and not greedy – family always shares it riches

    practically speaking, our esteemed legislature is constantly “cock-a-roaching” from different rainy-day fund to fund operations and balance annual budget

    Legislators: do not make the same mistake of using up all the surplus like you did of the projected tourist dollar tax revenues – when numbers drop you are left holding the bag, red faced, and placing blame on others for your own shortcomings

    if the unions stand fast that “projected” tourism tax revenue is high, then place within the contract that pay raises can be reduced when tourists decide to go elsewhere


  102. markazulu February 10, 2014 8:19 pm

    How is Ben Jay doing with finding corporate sponsorship for UH?


  103. inyoface February 10, 2014 8:29 pm

    Miano would’ve been killer at St. Louis.


  104. RB February 10, 2014 8:29 pm

    The background music sounds like the one used for the Norm Chow inside access show.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fckCAT8-hIY#t=20

    Never heard it before till I saw the NC inside access show. I wonder if it’s a local person behind it.


  105. al February 10, 2014 9:27 pm

    huh?


  106. kifi February 10, 2014 9:39 pm

    We better see a whole lot of improvement in 2014. As mentioned by someone here a few days ago we are on the road in 2015 at Ohio State and at Wisconsin. Both will be very physical games. Would help to have a physical running back like Joey Iosefa, but he’ll probably be in an NFL camp by then.


  107. NotNasti February 10, 2014 9:52 pm

    100. T-Mack . . . easy now.


  108. marleysdad February 10, 2014 10:09 pm

    kifi, maybe we’ll have Fangupo by then….


  109. kifi February 10, 2014 10:35 pm

    #109 – probably a long shot. I was thinking more along the line of Penitito Fa’alalogo developing into a contributor by then.


  110. kifi February 10, 2014 10:37 pm

    There’s also the possibility of Steven Lakalaka being bigger and stronger in two years.


  111. Leahi2 February 10, 2014 10:54 pm

    About this newly recruited QB at 6’5″ and only 190 lbs. This seems to be a very twiggy like figure and would need to put on a lot more weight! Hawaii QBs take a lot of beating and its not just because they often get SACKED! They get hit hard even after they just get the pass away. QB “twiggy” will not be able to help us this coming season. Even if he became the starter, it won’t be long before he is taken out of the game. Well Okay if we just count him as a future. For now, TG or Woolsey will have to show up with their talents.


  112. Moocher February 11, 2014 2:27 am

    what really pisses me off is that a taxpayer, we are giving money to the government, who then gives it to UH. yet UH does not really have to answer to government on anything. i mean hey, if im UH, year after year lets create a budget, submit it to the government and if we save we save, if dont we dont, but we are never really held accountable to the citizens tax dollars.

    then if we cant cant make ends meet with the people of hawaii’s money, let’s reach in their other pocket and raise tuition, ticket prices, student fees and things like that. maybe the next president at UH doesn’t need to be an academic…just a person who can add and subtract properly but has smart friends.


  113. wafan February 11, 2014 3:57 am

    Good morning!


  114. wafan February 11, 2014 3:58 am

    Aloha, Shirley.


  115. A-House February 11, 2014 6:12 am

    #112:

    any recommendations to assist UH with their financial crisis?

    how about the US Government?

    how about the State of Hawaii?


  116. boolakanaka February 11, 2014 6:35 am

    115- A-House, et al. State univserities are less able than their private university competitors to fund capital improvements with philanthropic gifts, i.e.public universities have and will continue to turn to the debt market to fund capital projects, driving debt for public universities higher for the foreseeable future, and prolonging a long-term trend established over the past couple of decades.

    Burdened by aging campuses, years of backlogged maintenance projects, increased competition for students (and the tuition revenue that comes with them), and little hope that states are going to fund the construction they need, either through appropriations or by issuing their own debt, public colleges and universities are likely to issue their own debt to finance the renovation of their facilities — a change that moves public institutions closer to their private counterparts, could change what institutions build and repair, and could pass more costs on to students.

    For institutions that can take on more debt — those that have low debt loads or are growing enrollments and revenues, typically flagship universities — the financing change will have little impact on their bottom lines. They might have less money to spend on other priorities, but most expect revenues to keep pace with the amount of debt they’re assuming.

    But most public institutions aren’t so lucky. Many can’t issue cheap debt, either because they’ve run up against statutory limits or because their internal finances won’t let them. And states, which traditionally issued bonds for institutions, are facing electorates that are increasingly skeptical of government debt. For institutions where growth is stagnant, particularly comprehensive public institutions in states with a shrinking number of traditional college-aged students, the financing change represents a real problem.

    These institutions have few options. They can continue to hold off on projects, leading to an aging and potentially unsafe campus and more expensive renovations in the future. Or they can fund projects from their operating budgets, which could siphon off resources for other priorities, such as faculty salaries and student services.

    In short, you’ve got aging campuses, less capital, more borrowing, colleges are running up against debt limits, backlogs are going up, and going up to a point of critical concern, where problems are cannot be ignored.

    Long-Term Disinvestment

    States historically were the financers of university construction projects. When systems such as the University of California, the State University of New York, and many others scaled up in the 1960s and 1970s, it was typically state governments that put up the capital through tax revenue and their own debt issuance.

    The financial picture has grown more complicated since then, with states and institutions finding new ways to pay for construction. For her dissertation in 2010, Delphine Harris, now executive director of business process innovation at the University of Alabama, surveyed institutions on how they funded capital projects and maintenance. For most institutions, states still covered much of the construction and maintenance bill, whether by directly appropriating revenue, issuing their own debt, or covering the bill for university debt.

    But most agree that the days of states footing the bill are over. In general, per-student state appropriations have declined in most states for about a decade, both for general education expenses and capital and maintenance projects. The decline accelerated in 2009, when most states cut higher education spending to cope with decreased revenue and increased entitlement costs and were unwilling to increase taxes to maintain former spending levels.

    Overall appropriations on higher education decreased 3.8 percent nationwide between 2007 and 2012, according to the annual Grapevine report, which is put out by researchers at Illinois State University and the State Higher Education Executive Officers group. Declines were more dramatic in some states, including New Hampshire (32.8 percent), Arizona (31.9 percent), and South Carolina (23.8 percent). Because enrollment at most state institutions grew significantly over that time period, the decrease was even more significant when looked at on a per-student level.

    There isn’t much data that breaks out capital spending from overall education appropriations, but several state universities and systems reported that spending on capital projects and maintenance were placed at the bottom of the priority list when lawmakers cut budgets.

    Disinvestment couldn’t come at a less opportune time, facilities officials say. Most buildings have a lifespan of about 50 years before they must undergo significant renovations. And since many public university buildings were built in the 1960s, they’re coming due for renovation this decade.

    About 18 percent of campus space at the public universities they track is more than 50 years old, or what they consider “high risk” space prone to building failure–Startling!

    The amount of debt public colleges and universities carry has crept upward over the last decade, topping $60 billion in 2010 and 2011, according to data compiled by Moody’s. That amounted to about $13,000 per student in 2010. Moody’s draws a direct connection between decreased state funding and increased debt, and finance officials expect the amount of debt to increase further over the next few years as state appropriations stagnate or continue to decline.

    Most new public university debt is concentrated at large flagships, which have diverse revenue streams and high student demand. That combination leads to high credit ratings that can help them secure debt at low interest rates.

    The amount that colleges and universities spent on capital and maintenance peaked in 2009 but dropped significantly in 2010. Most colleges returned to 2008 spending levels in 2011, except for midsize public universities. .At the same time, states have cut back on the amount of debt their issuing on behalf of institutions, leaving colleges and universities to fend for themselves.

    Geoff Chatas, chief financial officer at Ohio State University, views the increase of debt issuance as one component of a rethought financial model for his institution. In October, Ohio State became the first public university to issue a 100-year bond, which totaled $500 million. Before Ohio State, only a handful of private institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Southern California, had issued such long-term debt.

    Century bonds are rare, primarily because they don’t make sense for most institutions. It would be risky to bet that any given institution is going to be around in 100 years and still in position to repay its bonds. But for historically strong universities — many of which have already been around for hundreds of years — the proposition is less risky for potential investors. That fact, plus the historically low interest rates, leads Chatas to think more universities will issue long-term bonds in the near future.

    The century bond drove Ohio State’s debt load to more than $2.4 billion, six times what it was in 2001. Chatas said the increased debt load is not a concern for the university. “Ohio State has a lot more debt than it did 20 years ago, but it’s also a lot larger than it was 20 years ago,” he said, noting that the university plans to continue significant growth in enrollment and revenue over the next few years. “So long as an institution is planning to grow into its debt, then it really should not be a concern.” Debt-service payments at the university are roughly the same as they were a decade ago, in part because of the historically low interest rates. Ohio State’s bond had a 4.8 percent interest rate.

    The bond drives some change in the university’s funding model. The $500 million will enter a central bank at the university and be loaned out to different branches for whatever projects institution officials hope to fund. Those branches will pay interest back to the central bank, which will use that return to fund more projects.

    The University of California system issued its own 100-year bond in February and found such demand that it increased its initial offer of $500 million to $860 million, which The Wall Street Journal reported to be the largest 100-year bond issued by a university since 1995. It too is working under a central banking model, splitting up the bond for different projects on each campus.

    Both the Ohio State and University of California bonds were taxable, unusual because most university bonds are tax-exempt. Peter Taylor, chief financial officer at the University of California, said the taxable bond offers some flexibility that tax-exempt bonds, which can be spent only on nonprofit activities, cannot. For example, he said, there’s a building on Berkeley’s campus that is a mixture of academic offices and retail stores, and renovating that building with a tax-exempt bond would be a logistical pain.

    Century bonds probably won’t be the main form of debt issued by universities over the next few years, since most institutions don’t inspire the same levels of confidence among investors that top-tier research universities do. But finance officials believe shorter-term forms of debt will continue to be attractive. “While interest rates remain low, debt will likely remain a highly attractive option for public universities,” Behr wrote.

    Not Everybody’s Solution

    Regional public universities, (like UH) whose capital spending didn’t bounce back in 2011, are the ones most imperiled by the change in finance. They tend to have lower credit ratings, which means they cannot issue debt as cheaply as larger universities can.

    Changing Priorities

    Increased reliance on borrowing could change what universities decide to finance. When states doled out a few million dollars to fund a new academic building, institutions didn’t have to worry about what kind of revenue that building generated.

    But the considerations change when the institution has to pay off a building over 30 or 50 years. Those buying the debt like to know that there’s a direct funding source that will lead to the debt being repaid, so most debt-funded projects have specific fees associated with them. Projects such as residence and dining halls and parking, which collect specific fees, tend to get priority.

    For that reason, many expect the increase in debt issuance to result in more student fees — even for projects not directly tied to student use — and higher tuition. “There is some concern about the impact on students, in terms of fees and things,” Wilda said. “If we’re assuming debt, someone needs to pay for it. Under our current funding model, obviously a portion of that will be passed down to students.”

    Competition also plays a dual role in university debt. With the loss of state appropriations, colleges and universities need new sources of revenue to cover their obligations. To draw students (who bring tuition) and faculty members (who draw grant revenue), the institution needs facilities to attract those individuals. To pay for those facilities, however, the institution has to take on more debt.

    Capital improvements are now more oriented toward attracting students and faculty. This market-driven need to generate student-based revenues means that public universities will have to continually update and, in some cases, expand their facilities, which ultimately necessitates more borrowing, especially given declines in state funding. Hello–better facilities, the better position you are to attract more students….

    Other Solutions

    Given that debt is taking on new prominence in the university funding equation, public institutions are trying to find new ways to fund it.

    In Arizona, state lawmakers voted in 2009 to give public universities there the authority to create stadium districts to fund the expansion and renovation of athletic facilities, allowing the universities to lease land near the facilities to commercial vendors. Those vendors would be exempt from property taxes, since they are on university land, but would then pay a “tax” to the university. The university would use that revenue to finance its debt.

    Arizona State University was the first to capitalize on the new legislation. In November, Maricopa County, where the university is based, approved a plan to let the university collect revenue from a 300-acre site adjacent to the campus. The first project to be funded through the will be a major renovation of Sun Devil Stadium that could cost $300 million. In time, the university hopes to develop the land into something of a mecca for amateur sports.

    Other institutions have tried to find ways to continue to grow and pay for renovations without taking on as much debt. The most prominent avenue for this has been to strike public-private partnerships, whereby private developers get the capital to construct facilities and then universities strike long-term leases to occupy the space. It also allows for alternative uses of space, such as for-profit ventures, that might be prohibited under tax-exempt bond funding.

    According to a 2010 report, the University of California has about 60 such partnerships. In that report, university officials note that the primary motivation for most university-developer partnerships is access to capital, but the system, which has significant access to capital (as evidenced by the century bond), also sees other benefits. There are likely companies out there that can build and operate residence halls at a lower cost and faster than the university can. Ohio State has also considered this approach with parking.

    There is one more solution to the maintenance/appropriations/debt issue that a handful of campuses have started to consider. If state funding no longer covers renovation, if institutions don’t have the capacity to issue debt, and if the demand isn’t there to fund projects through general renovation, why not take the costly projects off the books?

    The University of Maine system’s Board of Regents recently asked system administrators to give board members an accounting of the space that could be removed either through sale or demolition, and the space that will become available soon. “When you’re faced with this challenge, you really have three options: renovate, demolish and sell,” said Rebecca Wyke, vice chancellor for finance and administration and treasurer for the Maine system. “I think the board has clearly demonstrated that is will to consider all combination of options.”

    Hawaii, BORs, and legislature, your move and please give us confidence that you are viewing this at once with an application of applied research, best practices, sustainablity and a long-term comprehensive approach which has purposely mitigated politcal grandstanding.


  117. Marleysdad February 11, 2014 7:33 am

    109, Fa’alologo slipped my mind. I remember sitting next to him during the 2nd half of the Fresno game. If he runs as hard as he cheers, we’ll be in good shape.


  118. A-House February 11, 2014 7:46 am

    boolakanaka:

    I did not expect your lengthy dissertation on financial problems at state universities across our country – interesting reading.

    with you closing remarks, perhaps, this was targeted at UH decision makers and our esteemed Legislature who seem to be, like most if not all Congressional members who care more about their office than the state they represent.

    Members of Congress know that longevity produces more perks, including retirement, and thus their only focus is serving enough years to qualify for retirement.

    It’s laughable that they pass laws that control our retirement while they sit and wait for theirs – same pay, same medical plan at no cost to them, etc. Heck no need worry about a 401K or IRA when they will collect their wages at 100%; not a reduced amount like the 99%.

    For sure, there will NEVER be a Congress that will limit or change their perks – that’s why we need to continue to elect new faces every 8-10 years so they don’t qualify for full retirement.


Comments are closed.