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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, April 1, 2005

UH may still hire line coach

 •  Lumpkin takes one for team

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i football team might not be done reconfiguring its coaching staff.

Spring is in the air and so are footballs at the University of Hawai'i's practice field. The Warriors resume drills this morning, from 7 to 9.

Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Jerry Glanville was officially hired as associate coach and defensive coordinator Wednesday, filling the vacancy created when offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh resigned last month to accept a coaching job at Oregon State.

Assistant coach Mouse Davis, who is coordinating the offensive line during spring practice, said UH might seek a permanent line coach.

UH head coach June Jones "has a couple of three guys in mind," said Davis, who coached the special teams last season. "We're playing it by ear. ... Nothing's official, as far as I know."

The Warriors have filled their nine assistant jobs. If they were to hire an offensive line coach, Davis, 72, probably would move to a non-coaching position.

"It's more up to June," Davis said. "I'm just trying to help June out. He's (like) one of my kids."

Davis is regarded as the developer of the modern-age, run-and-shoot passing offense. He counts Jones as one of his top students and best friends.

When special teams coach Tyson Helton left UH last year, Jones interviewed several replacement candidates before picking his mentor.

Asked if he was an emergency hire, Davis said, "I was. That's the way I'm playing it, too."

Later, Davis said, smiling, "I'm looking to develop my resume."



Chang camping out

Former UH quarterback Tim Chang, the most prolific quarterback in NCAA history, will be a featured instructor at tomorrow's Speed and Quickness Clinic at the UH athletic facility.

Chad Owens, a 2004 All-America receiver/punt returner, will be the guest coach during Sunday's sessions.

"I really want to help out," Chang said. "We didn't have speed camps when I was a kid. The kids today are fortunate."

Each session is $10, with the entry fee including a Jamba Juice coupon.

Sessions are from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for ages 7 to 12 and 10:30 a.m. to noon for those 13 and older.

Call 739-5444 for details.



Finally, a farewell

Defensive end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan finally will have a chance to say goodbye to his father.

In October 2003, Akpan's father died in his native Nigeria. But an expired visa prevented Akpan from attending the funeral.

At the time, Akpan had lived in this country for eight years and came to Hawai'i on a basketball scholarship in 2001. But he said his visa expired in August 2003, and if he were to leave the country, it would have taken several months before he would have been allowed to return.

But Akpan recently was granted a special waiver that would allow him to attend a memorial service, known as "the second burial," next month in Nigeria.

Akpan said he is a Christian, but he adheres to the cultural practice of the Anag tribe. Since the funeral in 2003, the Anag practice is for family members to wear some form of black clothing every day. In the coming memorial, the family members will ceremoniously remove the black clothing.

"It's kind of a traditional ritual," Akpan said. "I have to be present for that one. The family tells me what they expect of me."

Akpan said his sister explained his absence on school obligations.

"I have to show up and explain it better," he said. "To them, it's rude. I haven't shown up since my dad passed away."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.