Spring Day 2 Wrap-Ups

First the bad news. Yes, the schedule. From Jason Kaneshiro, as discussed yesterday.

A season-opening matchup between Northern Colorado and Hawaii was apparently close to being finalized as of late yesterday.

Though neither school had officially confirmed the deal, a season-opening matchup would be played Sept. 1 at Aloha Stadium.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier declined comment on the game yesterday, and phone calls to Northern Colorado athletic director Jay Hinrichs were not returned.

But at the bottom of the article, it looks like June Jones is taking matters into his own hands, which is excellent news.

Hawaii coach June Jones put in a call to Mississippi State, which shares an open date with UH, but said yesterday he hadn't heard back from the school.

Keep on em June!

In the meantime, June looks on the bright side regarding Northern Colorado.

"I'm glad we're able to get a (home) game that week," UH coach June Jones said, noting the Warriors follow that with consecutive road games against Louisiana Tech Sept. 8 and Nevada-Las Vegas Sept. 15.

Gotta admire that. Anyway, onto spring practice...

Stephen Tsai writes about the competition at running back, profiling Kealoha Pilares, Jayson Rego and B.J. Batts.

Three of the candidates — B.J. Batts, Jayson Rego and Kealoha Pilares — are former Advertiser All-State players of the year.

"That's impressive," head coach June Jones said. "That shows we've got some good players."

But past awards mean little as the Warriors seek a successor to Nate Ilaoa. Reagan Mauia, last year's top backup to Ilaoa in the one-back offense, also completed his NCAA eligibility last December.

"The one who is the best is going to play," Jones said.

...

Jones won't pick a leader until training camp in August, when former Nebraska running back Leon Wright-Jackson joins the mix.

And that's not counting Mario Cox, David Farmer, Jason Laumoli, etc. Warriors gonna have to run the wishbone! The Advertiser also has short video interviews with Pilares, Rego and Batts.

Jason Kaneshiro writes about freshman QB Kiran Kepo'o.

Along with waiting to officially join the UH program, the 6-foot-1 lefty figures to have time to develop as he bides his time behind UH's returnees, led by Heisman Trophy candidate Colt Brennan, junior Tyler Graunke and sophomore Inoke Funaki. Another freshman, Castle graduate Bryce Kalauokaaea, is slated to join the mix this spring.

"I just have to gradually work my way up and learn step by step," Kepo'o said. "I just have to be patient with everything."

He's also getting mentored by Tyler Graunke.

Still, Graunke hasn't been in Manoa so long that he can't relate to Kepo'o's growing pains as the freshman takes his first steps at the college level.

"It's crazy how fast the game was and how much was thrown at me," Graunke recalled. "And it's crazy how over time it seems so much better. The game speed slows down, everything is easier to read.

"I always tell him to keep positive and stay focused and not make the same mistake twice. Coach understands if a new guy makes a mistake, but if he makes it twice then that's just saying he's not paying attention to trying to get better. I've made all the mistakes Kiran's made and plenty more -- that's just how it goes being the young guys."

Tyler's gonna be a great leader when he starts in 2008.

And finally, Stephen Tsai writes about Greg McMackin and the possibility he'll become official today.

McMackin has an extensive — and impressive — resume as a defensive coordinator.

He was defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, helping to set four franchise team records, and at Miami and Navy. His Miami defense was ranked as the nation's best.

McMackin favors a blitzing 4-3 defense, a scheme UH is implementing in spring practice. It was that scheme that helped Jeff Ulbrich develop into an All-Western Athletic Conference linebacker in 1999 and future 49er.

"His defensive package seems pretty good," Patek said. "He's going to take all of the good things we did last year and add a little different flavor."

UH defense gonna be huge this year!

UPDATE: McMackin has been officially hired.