Posted on: Sunday, April 4, 2004
Singletary springs into rebuilding
| • | Players can use spring drills as proving ground |
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist
Yes, Vantz Singletary has come to understand that the "vacation" is now over. He knows he will have to return to "working" for a paycheck again and has been reminded there will be no coaching on "cruise control."
Take your best shot. Singletary, the University of Hawai'i defensive line coach, has already had his skin thickened and competitive appetite whetted by three months of ribbing from fellow coaches and friends.
"Believe me, I've gotten a lot of it," Singletary said. "Coaches like to mess with each other a little."
Singletary has been amply reminded just how much work has been cut out for him when spring practice begins Tuesday. Not only his entire starting defensive line — Houston Ala, Travis LaBoy, Lance Samuseva and Isa'ako Sopoaga — but two prime backups, Keali'i Aguiar and Kevin Jackson, finished their eligibility with the conclusion of the 2003 season.
The bountiful blessings of the past three seasons have been replaced by the biggest challenge of his six years at UH. With six of his top eight players gone — two of them all-Western Athletic Conference performers — Tuesday begins a reconstruction project the breadth and depth of which have rarely been seen at the position.
But a defensive line that had its best conference ranking against the rush since the 1992 Holiday Bowl team, and most quarterback sacks since the 1989 Aloha Bowl squad, must find replacements for players who started a combined 110 games in the trenches over the past four seasons.
Even if the cupboard isn't completely empty with the return of Abu Ma'afala, Melila Purcell III and the possibility, pending an NCAA decision on a medical hardship petition, of Lui Fuga, there is plenty to be done in the 15 allowable practices of spring.
So, why is this man smiling?
Although some might wonder if he isn't whistling through the graveyard, Singletary maintains, "I'm looking forward to it ... really. I'm excited about working with the guys we have coming back and the new guys and getting back to basics again."
His inspiration, Singletary says, comes from his neighbor on Lowrey Avenue in Manoa and occasional jogging partner, offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh has supervised a couple overhauls after losing players to the NFL, each time successfully rebuilding his unit. "I've been talking to him, trying to learn everything I can from him," Singletary said.
"But I haven't had a chance to run with him for a while."
For as Singletary says, "vacation" is over and it is time to roll up his sleeves.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.
Singletary is not alone among UH defensive coaches this year, of course, just the hardest hit. Overall the defense must replace nine of 11 starters, including four all-conference players, with linebacker Ikaika Curnan and cornerback Abraham Elimimian the only two consensus starters returning.
