It’s started
By Dave Reardon
7 a.m.: First spring practice starts the way sports practices have started since anyone can remember … you guessed it, jumping jacks.
Coaches Gerke, Miano, and Smith on the field so far.
7:05 a.m.: Apparently, reserve defensive end Victor Clore and reserve offensive lineman Daniel Otineru are injured. They’re on the sideline along with several other injured Warriors reported last week.
7:06 a.m: Calisthenics with Mel deLaura are pau, now some speed drills with Rich Miano.
7:10 a.m: Erik Robinson and Viliami Nauahi aren’t going to do team drills this spring due to injuries, but they are running around the field. Fale Laeli (recovering from knee surgery) is on the exercise bike.
Camera crews from four stations are here.
7:36 a.m: The players have moved to their position groups. All six quarterbacks are throwing.
7:43 a.m.: Coach McMackin is roaming the various groups as the assistants drill the players in individual fundamental techniques.
7:52: a.m.: Something new — McMackin grants an in-practice TV interview. I’m guessing this was set up ahead of time to accommodate a morning show that ends at 8 a.m.
7:57 a.m.: So far, the first hour is similar to UH practices of recent years. It is kind of a back to the future feel, though, with Nick Rolovich, Brian Smith, Chris Brown and Craig Stutzmann out here.
7:59 a.m.: Mike Washington just made a great adjustment on a pass to make a diving catch.
8:17 a.m.: Plenty of fans here this morning — including two ultra-regulars. Willie Monteilh (father of safety Keao Monteilh) and Leona Watson (wife of Keala). These two rarely miss a practice.
8:30 a.m.: Brian McInnis reporting from watching the guys in orange. QB rotation: Inoke Funaki 3 reps, Tyler Graunke 2, Shane Austin 2, Jake Santos 2. Repeat.
Got to go now and get ready for interviews. I’ll be back later to update.
UPDATE: McMackin says he was very pleased with just about everything today. Said it was organized. He was very pleasantly surprised with the first-day accuracy of the quarterbacks. Ron Lee said things were “chaotic,” but they will get better. Lee and Brian Smith were pleased with the center-QB exchanges, since this was the first real practice with a lot of under-center snaps in a long time. Trivia: Ron Lee was football coach of Kelvin Shoji (Dave’s brother) at Kalani High School in 1970.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:25 am
Here we go, here we go!
Keep it coming, DR!
March 31st, 2008 at 7:36 am
Wow, Dave. Real time updates. Wow!
Imua, Warriors!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:05 am
Awesome updates Dave…how do you do it??? On AM1420 this am, maintaining this site as posts are sent + real time up-to-the-minute updates. With java, can’t get better than this!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:28 am
I just read where they did this and this and that to begin practice.Yet you would think they would begin a new era,a new beginning to Coach Mack’s career or the beginning of any season opening practice with a short blessing and prayers.I mean that’s what I would have done.With that said I pray that each and everyone of the players and coaches have a safe and prosperous journey ahead of them.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:39 am
Amen Ralvic! Yes if we want His best we need to give Him the glory and do it His way. Come to think of it our two most successful years were when (to me) it appeared our previous HC’s faith was strongest. My thoughts and prayers go out to the team and coaches too. Prov 3:5-6!!!!
Hey Dave now u r on AM 1500….wow man on the move.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:58 am
Dave….U DA MAN!
March 31st, 2008 at 9:42 am
Reardon blogging from practice!
UH Football has officially started…
Keep up the great work Davey Boy!
Aloha.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:31 am
Is UH’s pro day in Carson Calif open to the public? Mahalo
keith Hill
March 31st, 2008 at 11:03 am
Dave,
Any noticable differences from this first spring practice under Coach Mack to prior years under JJ?
Awesome weekend of reading for hardcore UH football fans. Thanks to the SB for all the stories to get this new era under way.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:23 am
Awesome stuff Dave. Keep it coming. We appreaciate it.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:36 am
Mahalo Dave…
Looking forward to seeing you on “The Hill”
Anyone sporting any new or unusual Hair Cuts?
March 31st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I thought Erik Pedersen had a “unique” haircut today. He was sporting a mohawk.
March 31st, 2008 at 12:34 pm
dave, mahalo for first up-date.
good job!
FANatic!
March 31st, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Keep up da great reporting Dave.
What’s your initial accessment of Kiran? I hope he makes a full recovery.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Except that Mack or anyone leading a prayer would be unconstitutional – UH is a public school. You can do it at a private school.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Please tell the fellas mahalo for the great spring football coverage Dave. Much appreciated. New team, new players, new coach, tough schedule, exciting stuff. God bless Coach Mack!
March 31st, 2008 at 5:32 pm
BMac had his eye on the QBs today, and he’ll have a note on Kiran, as well as a story on Inoke and Tyler and their progress in dealing with dropping back instead of only shotgun.
I’ll be looking closer at the offense on Wednesday.
March 31st, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Thanks to everyone for reading. I won’t live blog every practice, but we will continue to keep you informed on developments during this period of huge transition.
March 31st, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Great work Dave.
March 31st, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Relax, dcwarrior. A prayer is a form of communication for a group of people who care about each other. What is so offensive about praying for a safe season? It’s nice to hear another person expression his concerns for every player. The separation of church and state? That was meant to make sure that the new nation called USA would not establish a state sponsored church like England did with Church of England. So, please do not get too “politically correct.” Wanting to pray is often a natural human response because humans care about each other.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Mahalo for the great coverage, esp. for those of us who can’t be there (even though I would rather be there); we’re with you in spirit!
March 31st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Inoke looked better than expected…I liked what I saw from the new coaches!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I’m pretty sure it’s not open to the public, but I’m not 100 percent sure on that.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:04 pm
It helped that we had a gang of three out there today … Jason Kaneshiro and Brian McInnis both did a great job monitoring the defense and offense.
For tomorrow’s paper, I wrote an overview, Jason did a piece on how the defense has become the star attraction, and Brian did one on the first day for the QBs.
Plus, a notebook with some odds and ends, including Kealoha Pilares’ adjustment to slotback.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Yo Rob … see you out there on Wednesday, I hope.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Howzit WD. Yes it’s an exciting time.
Practice was already getting more organized last year, and I think it’s another step in that direction. Very disciplined and I think that will be reflected on the field.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:09 pm
The young coaches are like young players … they’re hungry and eager to do strong work.
The veteran coaches are rejuvenated also. I think they have more opportunity to provide input than before.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:01 am
Thanks much for more outstanding coverage guys! BTW just heard on AM1420 that RGM ran a 4.33 40…wow! Devon didn’t do too bad either at a 4.4+ 40, before pulling a hamstring. Satele put up some impressive bench press numbers + while not as important for his position ran a pretty good 40 (around 5. Colt is at 218 lbs!!!! Go Warriors…current and past:-)