The University of Hawai'i football team yesterday officially announced its 2007 recruiting class.

Of all of the commitments, the the most significant came from a 47-year-old, bleached-haired man known to cohorts as "Sun God."

Defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold, who was the pointman in signing nine of the recruits, confirmed he has decided to remain with the Warriors.

Reinebold was a finalist for a coaching job with the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders requested — and received — permission from UH coach June Jones to interview Reinebold for the job as special teams coordinator.

Reinebold met with Raider officials Monday and Tuesday in Oakland.

On Tuesday night, Jones recalled, "I talked to (Oakland head coach) Lane Kiffin and I felt he was going to offer the job to Jeff."

Reinebold, who joined UH in August 2005, said it has been a dream to coach "at the next level." He said the Raiders and Dallas Cowboys are two of the most important franchises in National Football League history.

"When I walked into the Raider offices, I was so impressed," Reinebold said. "There was a big sign: 'Commitment to Excellence.' That says it all.'"

But Reinebold, whose right leg and arms are covered with Polynesian tattoos, said it would be too difficult to leave a program that has become his hanai family.

"When the plane started its descent to the Islands, I felt like I was coming home," Reinebold said. "I've got an awful lot invested here emotionally."

He said his decision became easier after four of his recruits — Ray Hisatake, Francis Maka, Jake Patek and Myron Newberry — stopped by his office yesterday.

"It was like, 'Oh, my gosh,' " Reinebold said. "All of a sudden it hits you. You get emotionally attached to these players. You're not supposed to, but you can't help it. I've never been able to coach the game without getting attached. It's hard for anybody who doesn't do this to understand."

Jones said: "Lucky for us he's not leaving. Jeff is as good a coach as (defensive coordinator) Jerry (Glanville) and I have ever had."

Yesterday, Jones was allowed to comment publicly on the recruits. Wednesday was the first day of the NCAA signing period for football players. UH had waited to receive proof of a recruit's written commitment before commenting.

The only antsy situation came from defensive end Korey Reynolds of Hoover High in Alabama. Hoover is featured in MTV's reality show, "Two-A-Days."

During Hoover's news conference Wednesday, Reynolds, wearing a lei, signed his UH letter. His father co-signed.

But later Wednesday, Auburn made a gray-shirt offer to Reynolds. In deciding to mull the offer overnight, the Reynolds did not fax a copy of the signed letter to UH. The NCAA recognizes a faxed copy as a binding agreement.

Late yesterday morning, Korey Reynolds reaffirmed his commitment to UH. The Warriors received his fax yesterday afternoon.

UH still is awaiting written commitments from linebackers Kevin Konrath of Brother Rice High in Chicago and George Kauwalu of Wai'anae High, and running back Leon Wright-Jackson.

Konrath will sign after returning from a school-mandated retreat. Wright-Jackson, who played at Nebraska as a freshman in 2005, will sign after completing his UH visit this weekend.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.