Dennis McKnight will be hired today as a full-time University of Hawai'i assistant football coach.

"That's what I heard," said McKnight, who will be named the offensive line coach officially.

UH coach June Jones was not immediately available for comment yesterday.

But the promotion of McKnight, who was a UH assistant coach in 1999 and 2000 and served as a graduate assistant last season, indeed will be finalized today.

McKnight, 47, was essentially the offensive line coach last year. Now he will have the title.

"I think it's a great idea," left tackle Laupepa Letuli said. "I'm really happy for him. He'll be great."

Two full-time coaching positions opened when defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville and special teams coach Mouse Davis resigned to accept coaching jobs at Portland State.

McKnight fills one of the openings. Because of the state's mandatory waiting period for new hires, the other position cannot be filled for at least another week. Greg McMackin, UH's defensive coordinator in 1999, is a top candidate to fill that opening.

McKnight and McMackin were assistants on Jones' first UH coaching staff in 1999. McKnight served as special teams coach.

McKnight left after the 2000 season to be near his family and car-cleaning business in San Diego.

He was an assistant coach at Grossmont College and then at San Diego State through 2005.

McKnight attended spring practice last year as an "observer." Because there were no full-time jobs, McKnight agreed to join the Warriors as a graduate assistant.

"I'm fortunate June was able to get me back last year," Mc-Knight said. "I was grateful to be a part of the program. Hawai'i is a special place to coach and live. These kids are different than any I've been around. They're very special."

McKnight was placed in charge of the offensive line last year, although he did not hold the title of offensive line coach.

As a graduate assistant earning $874 a month, McKnight was required to take post-graduate classes last season.

His family remained in San Diego, and his business partner ran the car-cleaning service.

McKnight saved time — and money — by living in the graduate assistant's office on the third floor of the athletic complex.

"It was worth (the sacrifice) to be around these great people last year," said McKnight, who will earn about $65,000 as an assistant coach. "I hope with my pay raise, they don't have any more expectations. I'm only going to get so good. What you see is what you get. That's it."

McKnight's animated coaching style did not change through the years.

During his first UH stint, McKnight established a culture of hard-hitting kickoff and punt coverages. He rewarded players who excelled on special teams with "Special Forces" T-shirts. He also enlivened practices with high-decibel instructions.

"I wear my emotions on my sleeve," McKnight said, "but I wash my sleeves every day. I don't hold grudges."

Last year, McKnight coached an offensive line with new starters at three positions. Under McKnight, quarterback Colt Brennan was sacked 16 times in the first 12 games, an average of one sack per 30.19 pass attempts.

Three of last year's starting linemen — center Samson Satele and tackles Dane Uperesa and Tala Esera — are considered to be National Football League prospects.

"He always has the little insights from his playing days," right guard John Estes said of the 11-year NFL offensive lineman. "He knows his stuff. He's a very good teacher. He is a good motivator."

Letuli said: "I like the guy. He's so emotional. He yells and he'll get on my butt a lot of times, which is good. I need someone to push me. He does that."

This coming season, Mc-Knight will have to break in three new starters again.

"People are worried about losing three starters — and they were three great starters — but we have so many young and talented players," McKnight said. "They're all tough, feisty, aggressive guys. The hardest thing will be to narrow the field because only five can play at a time."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.