Warriors: No pain, no gain

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones is a lump of clay.

At least three days a week, he is put in the hands of the massage therapist known to his friends as "Helga," who applies pressure points, chops and other techniques probably found in an LAPD handbook.

The treatments are as grueling as when Jones, a former pro quarterback, was treated like pupu by 280-pound pass-rushers.

Still, Jones, who is recovering from a Feb. 22 car accident, always emerges sore, but more flexible. One treatment, he estimated, improved the range of motion in his neck by 30 percent.

And that is when life becomes a bumper sticker: No pain, no gain.

It is why the Warriors are hopeful that last season's 3-9 record will provide the springboard for better times this season.

"I'm more excited," said Jones, who welcomes about 30 newcomers tomorrow. The returning players report on Wednesday, and training camp begins Thursday night.

Jones has recruited three classes since accepting the UH job in December 1998, with each bringing more speed and depth.

"Depth," Jones said, "is the key. When you have depth, you improve on special teams. The first year, we could not withstand one injury on the offensive line. Now we're pretty deep there."

Mike Cavanaugh, who coaches the offensive line, said the Warriors had two dependable backups in 1999 — Vincent Manuwai, then a freshman, and Lui Fuata. Now, Cavanaugh said, the Warriors are three deep on the offensive line. Manuwai has developed into the team's best lineman, Fuata is starting at left tackle and Brian Smith, a long-snapper on the 1999 team, is now the top center.

"Every year we're getting a little better," Jones said. "The longer a player is in your system, the better he'll become."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.