Benjamin will coach Hawai'i arena team
Advertiser Staff
Guy Benjamin, a former University of Hawai'i football coach and owner of a Super Bowl ring, has been named head coach of the Hawaiian Islanders.
The Islanders are the latest entry to the 37-team arenafootball2 (af2) League, a developmental league for the 16-year-old Arena Football League.
The arena2 league announced in early September that Hawai'i was one of nine expansion franchises approved for the 2002 season.
The Islanders will kickoff the season March 30, 2002 at Blaisdell Arena against a team to be announced. The season ends in August.
"I'm really excited because of what this does for Hawai'i," said Benjamin, 46, who was offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at UH under Fred vonAppen from 1996-98.
"This allows us to develop football players and coaches and as a teacher that's what you're in it for."
Benjamin, a member of the San Francisco 49ers who won the 1982 Super Bowl, starred as a quarterback at Stanford and later coached there under NFL Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh.
In 1999, Benjamin led the Hawai'i Hammerheads to the championship of the Indoor Professional Football League.
The past two years, Benjamin, who lives in 'Ewa Beach and taught at Kapolei Middle School, helped coach at Campbell and Kapolei high schools.
Benjamin said he has a three-year contract with the Islanders, but wouldn't divulge his salary.
"We're so happy to have hired locally," Islanders managing director Jerry Kurz said. "Guy brings us the experience and positive attitude that is essential in building a winning football organization."
Benjamin said the Islanders are "going to be comprised of local players."
He said the team will hold tryouts Oct. 20 on O'ahu and Oct. 27 on Maui at locations to be announced.
Benjamin said the league are for players who "didn't get in (to the NFL), developed later, didn't fit in with a team or got injured. It gives them a chance for year-round development and a platform for them to showcase their talent."
The arena leagues help develop players for the NFL. Three seasons ago, Iowa of the Arena League produced Kurt Warner, who led the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl title.
For season tickets and other information, call 67-ARENA (672-7362).
