McKnight might not return to June Jones' staff
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Special teams coach Dennis McKnight has indicated to colleagues that there is a strong likelihood he will not return to the University of Hawai'i football coaching staff this fall.
Advertiser library photo • Aug. 23, 2000
The final decision "might be right up to training camp" in August, UH coach June Jones said.
Dennis McKnight owns a car-cleaning business and may not return to coach football.
If McKnight decides not to return, the eight other assistant coaches will coordinate the special teams. Jones said he would not seek a full-time replacement for McKnight's position.
McKnight declined to comment. But Jones said McKnight has expressed a desire to spend more time with his wife and children, who live in San Diego. He also owns a successful car-cleaning business in that area.
During the season, McKnight turned down housing offers, instead opting to live in his third-floor office at the UH athletic complex. At the end of each season, he returned to San Diego.
McKnight did not participate in spring practice in March while recovering from a knee injury. He attended the spring game.
The quirky McKnight energized practices with his unique coaching style. He named each special teams unit after a military division, and awarded specially made T-shirts to hard-working players. McKnight developed return specialist Jamal Garland into the Western Athletic Conference's special teams player of the year in 1999 and was instrumental in recruiting punter Mat McBriar, who helped UH finish third in the WAC in net punting last season.
Meanwhile, two highly regarded defensive players are battling for their NCAA eligibility. Federal privacy laws restrict coaches from discussing their players' academic records, but people familiar with the situation say defensive tackle Isaak Sopoaga and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa are in jeopardy of not playing this fall.
Sopoaga, who amassed 31 sacks at the College of the Canyons last year, needs to earn an associate degree to play for UH this year. If he falls short, Sopoaga will join UH in January, and then have two years to play two seasons.
Last season, Tinoisamoa finished fifth on the team with 74 tackles. He had four sacks.
Defensive back Jean Elise's status for next season is also in doubt. In February, Elise signed a letter of intent with UH. He faxed a copy of the letter to UH, but never sent the original. Since then, Elise has indicated he will not play for the Warriors, although Jones said the faxed copy prevents Elise from accepting a football scholarship from another NCAA Division I school for a year.
