honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 12:09 p.m., Monday, March 31, 2008

UH FOOTBALL
McMackin Era begins as spring football opens

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

New UH head coach Greg McMackin, left, and assistant coach for defense, Dave Aranda, observe the opening day of spring football.

RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

spacer spacer

SPRING PRACTICE

Unless noted, all practices will be held 7 a.m. on UH’s lower campus field

March 31

April 2

April 3

April 7

April 9

April 10

x-April 12

April 14

April 16

April 17

x-April 19, 3:30 p.m.

April 21

April 23

April 24

x-April 26, tba

x—scrimmage

tba—to be announced

spacer spacer

It was a day of firsts today as the University of Hawaii football team began spring practice at UH grass practice field.

Greg McMackin strode onto the field as the Warriors new head coach.

McMackin, the team's defensive coordinator last season, replaced June Jones, who departed for SMU in January after nine seasons as head coach.

Also for the first time, the Warriors also took the field as the defending Western Athletic Conference champion, the school's first outright league title.

"It was exciting. I really was excited to see the players and their attitudes," McMackin said. "Their attitudes are great when they came out and their really worked hard."

The 15-date spring practice concludes April 26 with the annual Football 'Ohana Festival at Aloha Stadium.

Most practices run from 7-9 a.m. and are open to the public.

McMackin also displayed his newly assembled staff.

McMackin brought in five new assistant coaches, including former Warrior quarterback Nick Rolovich (quarterbacks coach) and center Brian Smith (offensive line coach).

Dave Aranda (defensive line), Ikaika Malloe (defensive tackles/special teams) and Alex Gerke (offensive line/running backs) comprise the new coaching additions.

"I was also really excited and proud of the coaches," McMackin said. "I hired a bunch of great teachers. There was so much teaching going on. As a head coach, it's good to be able to go around and watch other coaches coach. They're all coaching our package and it was just really exciting to see the great coaches we have."

The Warriors return 12 starters, four on offense, five on defense and three on special teams, from last season's 12-0 regular season.