SALT LAKE CITY — One of the key figures in the previous University of Hawai'i athletic administration is leaving the program.

Bill Bryant, the assistant athletic director in charge of compliance and eligibility, has accepted a position as a vice-chancellor at Florida International University in Miami.

Bryant submitted his letter of resignation last week.

Amanda Paterson, who is the athletic department's compliance coordinator, is expected to be named the interim replacement.

"I appreciate everything Bill has done for us," UH athletic director Jim Donovan said. "I'm very happy he has a job in Florida. We wish him the best."

Bryant also had received an offer from Oregon State.

Bryant and former UH athletic director Herman Frazier both had ties to Arizona State.

Bryant was in charge of overseeing the NCAA eligibility of UH student-athletes. He also was the liaison to the NCAA. He successfully petitioned the NCAA for sixth seasons for football players Nate Ilaoa, Ian Sample and Leonard Peters.

Defensive end Francis Maka is awaiting his appeal for a sixth season. He is petitioning on the grounds that a knee injury kept him from playing for two seasons at Arizona. After that, he transferred to a junior college before playing for the Warriors in 2007.

ELIMIMIAN HONORED

UH middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian yesterday was announced as the Western Athletic Conference's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Reporters who cover the WAC made the selection.

"It's a team honor," Elimimian said. "I'm grateful, but this wouldn't be possible without my teammates."

Elimimian also praised defensive coordinator Cal Lee, who coaches the linebackers, and head coach Greg McMackin.

Elimimian and right-side linebacker Adam Leonard are representing the Warriors at the WAC Football Preview in Salt Lake City.

Yesterday, they faced an unforgiving obstacle: the Stonebridge Golf Club.

It was the first time either played golf.

How did they prepare?

"I didn't do anything," Leonard said. "The first time I picked up a club was right before I swung it for the first time."

Each managed to par a hole.

"I knocked down a few putts," said Leonard, noting it was a best-ball format.

Elimimian said: "It was very challenging. I have new respect for golfers. Tiger Woods is the best athlete there is. It's not an easy sport by any means."

It also is not inexpensive.

"I probably started with 20 balls, and left there with about three," Elimimian added. "But I survived. It was a good experience."

Leonard said: "All of the pressure is on you. You have so much ground to cover to hit it into a little hole. It's pretty nuts. One little glitch in your stroke throws you off. I respect all golfers. It's definitely a game I want to play."

'OHANA IN IDAHO

It is no coincidence that Hawai'i's top running back, Kama Bailey of Damien Memorial School, ended up in Moscow, Idaho.

"We're trying to get more players from the Islands," said Robb Akey, Idaho's second-year head coach. "We've patterned our program as if we're building a family. That's one of the strengths of the Polynesian culture, in my opinion."

Shiloh Ke'o, a starting safety and team captain, said there are about 20 Polynesian players on the team. He said they often perform the haka in front of their teammates.

Ke'o is a mixture of Cuban and Hawaiian. He has several relatives in Hawai'i, although he grew up in the Northwest.

In his home, Ke'o said, "Hawaiian is the main culture we practice. You know how it is. Everyone is family. Friends we bring into our house, they become family. We're out there helping each other. That's 'ohana. That's the Hawaiian way."

Akey said Bailey blends in with his teammates. He also will have a significant role in the Vandals' expanded offensive plans.

RIVERS WAIVED

The Tennessee Titans waived former University of Hawai'i wide receiver Jason Rivers, according to their Web site.

Also, the Washington Redskins signed former Kahuku and University of Tennessee defensive lineman J.T. Mapu, according to the Associated Press.

See Tsai's blog at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com.