UH backup QB to attend JC

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i quarterback Brandon Satcher will transfer to Dixie State College in St. George, Utah, for a year because of "personal reasons."

Satcher

"I love it out here," Satcher said. "But I need to get away for a while and check out the junior college. I'll be back."

Satcher announced his decision after a recent meeting with UH coach June Jones.

"He has to go take care of some things, but we'll get him back," Jones said. "This is something he needs to do."

Satcher was one of the most heralded prospects of the 2004 recruiting class.

After his senior year at North Augusta High, he was named the South Carolina football Player of the Year. He also was selected to the All-State first team for 4-A high schools, South Carolina's highest level.

He was honored as the Male Athlete of the Year for the Augusta region covering South Carolina and Georgia after completing 197 of 336 passes for 3,330 yards and 26 touchdowns.

As a UH freshman last season, Satcher played in one game, completing his only pass for 23 yards and rushing six times for 34 yards. He finished fourth on the team in rushing.

He made two road trips, but then was granted a personal leave in October to focus on school work. He did not practice or play the rest of the season.

Satcher remained in school and is attending classes this semester.

Jack Rolovich, Tyler Graunke, Kainoa Akina, Jeff Rhode and Inoke Funaki are competing to succeed Tim Chang as the starting quarterback.

Quarterback Colt Brennan, who is completing work on an associate degree at Saddleback Community College in California, will join UH as a non-scholarship player in June. Brennan will have three years to play three seasons. An earlier Advertiser story incorrectly calculated his remaining eligibility.

UH won't fill coaching vacancy for spring ball

Jones said he does not expect to hire an offensive line coach for the start of next week's spring practice.

A few weeks ago, Mike Cavanaugh resigned to accept a similar position at Oregon State.

Jones said he has narrowed his choices to three coaches with National Football League experience.

Jones said he cannot offer any of them a job immediately because "they have other jobs. I'm trying to manage that situation."

Brian Smith, a student manager and former UH center, and some of the experienced players are expected to mentor the offensive linemen. Smith coached the linemen while Cavanaugh was on a recruiting trip for two days last December.

Hawai'i Bowl bonuses are said to be in mail

The financially strapped University of Hawai'i athletic department is expected to make bonus payments April 5 to the members of the 2004 football coaching staff.

The nine assistant coaches, including Cavanaugh, are owed the equivalent of one month's salary for the Warriors' participation in the 2004 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.

The assistant coaches received their bonuses for the 2003 Hawai'i Bowl in January — 13 months after the Warriors defeated Houston on national television.

Before receiving their 2003 bonuses, the coaches were told they would receive the 2004 payments in February. But that deadline came and went, and a published report indicated the coaches would receive their 2004 bonuses this month. The UH coaches are paid on the fifth and 20th day of each month.

Because March 20 fell on a Sunday, the coaches received their regular paychecks last Friday. Five of the assistant coaches confirmed they did not receive their bonuses that day or yesterday.

They declined to comment publicly on their situation.

But Jones said he was told the coaches will receive their bonuses April 5.

"They will be paid," Jones said.

The UH athletic department has finished in the red the past three fiscal years, although the audited budget for fiscal year 2003-2004 has yet to be released. Last summer, UH athletic director Herman Frazier announced a five-year financial plan in which he would deliver a balanced budget for the fiscal year that ends June 30.

Hoops player Matano will join as cornerback

Brandon Matano, who was a member of this year's UH basketball team, will join the football team as a cornerback.

Matano, whose mother lives in Honolulu, attended University Laboratory School before transferring to Paramus Catholic (N.J.) as a junior in 2003.

He played football at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., as a freshman in 2003 before the school dropped the sport at the end of the season. As a cornerback and return specialist, he was named Rookie of the Week twice and led his conference in return yards.

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