The University of Hawai'i football team officially ends spring training today with the 'Ohana Festival at Aloha Stadium.

But, in fact, the training portion concluded with Thursday's penultimate practice.

"We've done everything we wanted to do," head coach June Jones said.

Since the start of spring training on April 2, the Warriors hired a defensive coordinator (Greg McMackin, who served the same role in 1999); implemented most of McMackin's 4-3 defensive schemes; and defined the competition at running back, right wideout and on the offensive line.

"We made a lot of improvement," McMackin said. "I've thrown a lot at these guys, and we still have a lot more to go. But where we are right now, I'm really pleased."

McMackin said the players made a smooth transition from his predecessor's 3-4 defense.

Adam Leonard, Solomon Elimimian and Blaze Soares will exit spring training as the first-team linebackers.

Jake Patek has won one of the safety jobs. Desmond Thomas is ahead of Dane Porlas and Keao Monteilh at the other safety position.

There are about nine players rotating on the defensive line.

Kealoha Pilares, who was The Advertiser's Offensive Player of the Year as a Damien Memorial School senior in 2005, is regarded as the No. 1 running back. He will be challenged in the fall by Leon Wright-Jackson, who played at Nebraska as a freshman in 2005. Wright-Jackson, who is completing work on an associate degree, will join the Warriors in August.

Left wideout Jason Rivers, left slotback Davone Bess and right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins are assured starting jobs. C.J. Hawthorne, who moved from cornerback, and Malcolm Lane are the top contenders at right wideout.

"C.J. did a good job this spring, and Malcolm got better," said Ron Lee, who coaches the receivers. "It's between those two guys at the Z (right wideout)."

Lee said Dylan Linkner, who will be a fourth-year junior, "had a really good spring, too."

Greg Salas, who redshirted as a freshman last year, has practiced as a left wideout.

Of all of the receivers, Lee said, "Jon Medeiros could be a surprise." Medeiros is a non-scholarship player.

The Warriors had hoped to name replacements for left tackle Tala Esera, center Samson Satele and right tackle Dane Uperesa. Those three are expected to be selected in this weekend's National Football League draft.

But the Warriors have shuffled the offensive line numerous times this spring. This week, left tackle Keoni Steinhoff, center Aaron Kia and right tackle Keith Ah Soon joined two returning starters — left guard Hercules Satele and right guard John Estes — on the first-team offensive line.

Jones said he won't select the starting center or tackles until training camp in August.

The Warriors have spent the least amount of time on special teams this spring, working only on punting and punt returns.

Two new punters are joining the Warriors in August.

Michael Washington, Aaron Bain and Bess have practiced as punt returners.

Mouse Davis, who left to become Portland State's offensive coordinator, was in charge of special teams last year.

This year, Jeff Reinebold will be in charge of the punt team. George Lumpkin will be in charge of the punt-return unit. Dennis McKnight will handle the place-kicking units, and team with Rich Miano on kickoff returns and kick coverage. McMackin will be in charge of the place-kick defense.

Today's festival is from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be games, an autograph session and intrasquad scrimmage.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.