The biggest decision of training camp came when Brent Rausch was named as the University of Hawai'i football team's starting quarterback.

An equally important decision was made in January, when Nick Rolovich was hired as the Warriors' quarterback coach.

The two moves were related in that Rolovich was given the task of training and selecting the successor to Colt Brennan, the statistically best quarterback in NCAA history.

"I just knew Rolo would be a great coach," UH head coach Greg McMackin said. "I don't care about whatever. He's a leader. He's got heart. He knows our system, and he knows how to teach it. He's run it. He's played it. He knows it as well as any quarterback coach in the country."

McMackin had two stints as UH's defensive coordinator, in 1999 and last season. His final act with UH in 1999, McMackin signed a feisty quarterback from City College of San Francisco.

McMackin, who went to Texas Tech, never coached Rolovich and, in truth, never exchanged Christmas cards. But he always felt, during the recruiting process, that Rolovich had the qualities found in natural coaches.

"Coaching is about being a teacher — relating and caring about other people," McMackin said. "That's something he has."

When McMackin was in the running for the UH head coaching job, he crafted a wish list. Instead of considering an experienced college coach, McMackin thought of Rolovich and Dan Robinson as his quarterback tutor. Robinson, who was UH's starting quarterback in 1999, had completed dental school. Rolovich, who still was under contract with Cleveland of the Arena Football League, moonlighted as CCSF's quarterback coach. Rolovich implemented a version of the run-and-shoot offense that McMackin wanted to employ at UH.

When McMackin was hired, one of his first calls went to Rolovich.

"I wanted a run-and-shoot quarterback who had played it and could relate to people," McMackin said. "I went after Rolo."

At 28, Rolovich is three years older than fourth-year junior Inoke Funaki.

"I look at (the age difference) as a positive, where I can relate to them," Rolovich said. "I can understand what they're going through."

Rolovich shared his UH history with Rausch, detailing how he won the job in training camp but lost it after two games.

"I came in, and I didn't give it everything I had, but I won the starting job, and it was taken right away," Rolovich said.

In 2001, Rolovich replaced injured Tim Chang, and led the Warriors to an 8-1 finish.

"I told Greg (Alexander, the backup quarterback) the second part of my story," Rolovich said. "I was able to relate to both of them."

Rolovich worked hard to help make it an easy decision to choose Rausch as the No. 1 quarterback.

Rolovich reviewed video of every pass in training camp. Using a system covering a wide-range of categories, Rolovich graded each pass. Each play came with a hand-written evaluation.

Rolovich, a self-styled "math guy," said he wanted to provide enough detailed information that the decision could be justified.

"I always hear good players can't be good coaches, and things like that," Rolovich said. "I feel it's just another way to prove yourself. People told me I couldn't play quarterback since high school.

"So I feel I have to take it the same way and focus my energy to being as good a coach I can. That's kind of where I am with that. I look at it as another challenge. There are some doubters. This is probably one of the most coveted places for a quarterback. I have a big responsibility, and I'm taking it seriously."