Posted on: Wednesday, March 30, 2005
A rebel with a cause: rebuilding UH defense
| • | Warriors open practice under Glanville's watch |
| • | Funaki shows little sign of rust |
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist
Like the people — Elvis Presley, James Dean, Buddy Holly and D.B. Cooper, etc. — he has been known to leave tickets for at stadium will-call windows across the NFL, Jerry Glanville yesterday maintained, "Officially, I'm really not here, you know."
Unofficially, of course, the man under the white straw 10-gallon hat and behind titanium sunglasses was everywhere at the opening of the University of Hawai'i's spring football practice. After two seasons of defense by committee, there was no mistaking who is in charge now or the urgency of the mission.
The new defensive coordinator was hands on from the time the sun peeked over the dormitories, striding with urgency among groups of players, patting helmets, tugging at jerseys, dropping into a three-point stance and coaching the coaches.
The press conference to announce his "official" hiring can come later. Damn the paper work, the return to respectability for a defense that ranked among the nation's worst in 2004 can't wait. And, Glanville wasn't wasting a moment.
The most high-profile assistant coach UH has ever had knows it isn't the one-liners or old war stories that he was brought here for. June Jones isn't looking for another golfing buddy; he needs help. Immediately.
"I've never gone anywhere where they have said, 'Hey, we have a great team, how 'bout coming over,' " Glanville said. "No one has ever said that to me. Somebody said, when I went to Houston, 'They're the worst team in the league, why do you want to go to Houston?' When I went to Atlanta, they said, 'Why would you go to Atlanta? They're one of the worst in the league.' So, wherever I go has been bad. The good places; they probably don't think I could coach there."
Which is why the Warriors have suddenly become Jerry's Kids. Last year a once-proud defense fell to historic lows — most points (38.4), most total yards (487.7) and most rushing yards (252.6) per game — depths not even plumbed in the Fred von Appen error.
With a schedule that includes Southern California, Michigan State and Wisconsin, the Warriors can no longer afford to play with one hand tied behind their backs. Not with a new quarterback and supporting cast, too.
The 63-year-old man in black, who has been wearing it almost as long as Johnny Cash did, shares more than Jones' choice of wardrobe. There is also the contempt for convention, which is why they have gotten along so well. Hard to believe, but at one time, Jones was considered the more grounded of the two.
"June was Dr. Jekyll to Glanville's Mr. Hyde, the calm voice of reason to Jerry's craziness," said John McClain, who covered their antics for the Houston Chronicle in the 1980s.
Glanville has been known to put his players in combat helmets at practice and stage practical jokes, anything to inspire a defense or instill an attitude. As he was wont to say as an NFL television analyst, "Sometimes you gotta run faster than you really are."
But combat helmets? "We'll fly by the seat of our pants," Jones said. "So, it'll probably show up at some point."
For now, defensive lineman Ikaika Alama-Francis said: "You hear all the stories, but I'm just excited that he is here."
Unofficially, of course.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.
