A coach's dedication to defense
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Twenty months ago, shortly after arriving in the Islands as the University of Hawai'i football team's new defensive coordinator, Kevin Lempa checked into Room 330.
Advertiser library photo • Aug. 14, 2000
He studied football videotapes, met often with players and other coaches, and filled folders with notes and ideas.
Kevin Lempa could be pointing to his office when he says, "I ate and lived football in there."
"I ate and lived football in there," Lempa said, referring to his third-floor office in the UH athletic complex.
For four months, he also lived in his office, sleeping on the couch, which also doubled as his dining chair.
"They offered to let me stay in a hotel until my family came over" from San Diego, Lempa recalled. "I didn't want to do that. This was more convenient."
Lempa now lives with his family in an off-campus home, and he makes sure he is always there for dinners and special occasions.
Still, he remains a tireless worker. "I'm here all day until the work is done," Lempa said.
The hard work has paid off, although the modest Lempa deflects praise for his contribution to a defense that has sparked the Warriors' current five-game winning streak.
But, to be sure, Lempa has been instrumental in the turnaround. Last year, he inherited an inexperienced defense that had flourished under previous coordinator Greg McMackin's multiple-blitz schemes.
"I decided, 'If it's not broken, why fix it,' " Lempa said of his decision to retain McMackin's schemes. "Plus, it's easier for me to adjust to that defense instead of all of the players adjusting to my defense."
But the Warriors struggled defensively last season.
"They thought because they won the year before they would show up and win," Lempa said. "This year, we knew we had to battle every time, and we have. Nobody's going to give you anything. Our improvement is more of an attitude change."
After the third game, a loss to Rice that dropped UH to 1-2, Lempa decided to further simplify the defensive packages while retaining the high-pressure schemes.
"We tried to do too much," Lempa said. "With all of the checks and adjustments, we were confusing the players. There's a fine line to know how far you can go. When you get confusion, when kids blank out, they're not going to play their best."
Lempa has rotated more players to keep the defense fresh. In the past five weeks, the defense held off Southern Methodist in overtime, overpowered Texas-El Paso and Tulsa, withstood Fresno State's efficient passing attack and slowed San Jose State's power running game.
Lempa even has learned to enjoy coaching from the sidelines. Last year, UH coach June Jones asked Lempa to move down from the coaches' booth on the loge level.
"I didn't like it as first, didn't like it at all," he said. "Now I realize it's the best thing I've ever done. In the booth, you're missing all of the excitement. On the field, you really get a chance to look into your players' eyes and talk to them. I really like that."
Notes: Patrick Lavar Harley, a 17-year-old redshirt freshman from Maui, has been moved to weakside linebacker. If outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa does not play because of a strained lower right leg, Keani Alapa will start at weakside linebacker and Harley, who moved from safety, will be the top backup. ... Placekicker Justin Ayat said he still is bothered by a hyper-extended right knee, but is expected to play Saturday against Boise State.
