Lee accepts arena football challenge

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Cal Lee will wear two hats — head coach of the Hawaiian Islanders and athletic director at St. Louis School. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

He has already reached legendary status over a 21-year coaching career at St. Louis School where his teams compiled a 241-32-5 record, and won 18 Interscholastic League of Ho-nolulu titles, 14 O'ahu Prep Bowls and the inaugural state championship in 1999.

But there are things he still wants to accomplish in coaching. That's why, after resigning as St. Louis coach following last season, he's getting back into the game.

Lee, 56, was introduced as head coach of the Hawaiian Islanders of arenafootball2 at a press conference yesterday at the team's offices at the Pacific Guardian Center.

"The last time I was (this excited) it was about 30 years ago when I first became football coach at St. Louis," Lee said.

Islanders owner Kimberly Wang said she spent the past few months trying to convince Lee to accept the position. "Cal is a champion," Wang said. "He is not only the most successful coach in Hawai'i high school football history, but he is also well respected and beloved. I am thrilled he is a part of our team."

Lee said yesterday he is fortunate to be "one piece of a big puzzle" and talked about building a solid foundation for the second-year franchise. He hardly talked about his coaching career at St. Louis.

"Whatever happened in the past is over with," said Lee, who will remain as St. Louis' athletic director. "Now I look to get up in the morning and making it through the day. I don't look at the past. The future is what I'm really looking into and I hope it's a nice bright future ahead."

When asked why he accepted the position, Lee responded:

"My wife said there's nothing to do around the yard so you might as well get busy and do something constructive."

The Islanders completed their inaugural season in the 34-team af2 in late July with a 5-12 record, which included a nine-game losing streak. The team also suffered "pretty bad" financial losses, according to Wang. "We learned, persevered and we're now poised to have an even more successful season," she said.

Lee doesn't have any experience as a player or coach in the high-scoring arena league, which features a 50-yard field and eight players on a side, but he said he isn't concerned.

"Football in the street, football at a stadium, football in an arena, it's still football," he said. "You still have to block and tackle."

With Lee's successful track record it is hoped he can recruit top local players and also fill the 6,600-seat Blaisdell Arena. Last season, the Islanders had an average announced crowd of 3,632 for eight home games, and general manager Chris Dey said only 16 season-ticket packages were sold.

"The past year I watched a couple games," Lee said. "I was like everyone else a little leery about arena football, but I came out of the arena just totally excited about the game itself. I didn't think I would be. I think people who come to the games leave the game feeling happy."

He added the quality of the product and winning will be big factors in drawing fans.

Lee, who accepted a league-standard one-year, $40,000 contract, will choose his own coaching staff. Last year's assistant coaches were Al Noga, Doug Semones, Jon Fia and Darren Hernandez. Head coach Chad Carlson has been reassigned to director of player personnel, according to Dey. Carlson replaced Guy Benjamin in May and coached the team for its final 12 games.

"There are some people I have in mind and, now that this is official, I have to get in touch with," Lee said. "We have to find good people."

Lee has said he can get out of his contract if a suitable coaching position opens up for him at the college level or NFL. But for now, he'll focus on coaching the Islanders.

"You don't want to go into something and then down the road ... So I don't even want to entertain that thought (of leaving)," Lee said. "My thoughts and concerns are with the Hawaiian Islanders, and get this program to the level Kimberly wants it to be. But if the 49ers call ..."

Lee says he's isn't concerned about juggling his A.D. duties at St. Louis with his coaching duties with the Islanders.

"Work is work," he said. "I enjoy working. I've been working my entire life. Some people enjoy golfing and that kind of stuff, I don't golf, so I have a lot of free time."

A couple of players were at the press conference, including starting quarterback Darnell Arceneaux, who played for Lee from 1993-95.

"He's one of the best coaches in the high school history of Hawai'i," Arceneaux said. "It's a great privilege to get reunited with the guy who had so much influence on what I've done in my career so far as a football player and becoming a man."