Media Days

Stephen Tsai writes how Colt Brennan and Ian Johnson handled all the attention at the WAC footbal media preview.

Ten feet away, Johnson often turned, watching Brennan navigate through interviews.

"He's a great guy," Johnson said of Brennan. "Anytime anyone asks about him, I tell them nothing but good stuff, because it's the truth. ... He's come from a tough situation. Also, he's had a whole lot of adversity that he's overcome. I'm proud to say he's a member of the WAC."

Dave Reardon has various stories from the media preview, including Mike Lafaele's awkward moment with reporters.

Hawaii senior Mike Lafaele watched with an amused look yesterday as three reporters sat around an empty chair next to his with the name card of Colt Brennan in front of it. Every now and then a guy wanting to interview the quarterback would wander over to Lafaele, the blue-collar defensive tackle. Many of the questions would be about Brennan. Lafaele didn't mind, providing intelligent and usable quotes about his high-profile teammate, as well as insight on what the defense would be like without Jerry Glanville ("better") when asked.

Dave also writes about how the WAC's success has led to some great things, and also has also let to some scheduling difficulties.

The irony is that the success of the Warriors, who went 11-3 last year, including a 41-24 Hawaii Bowl victory over Frazier's alma mater, now of the Pac-10, and Broncos, makes it even harder for them to schedule games, especially against big-name schools. As a result, Brennan and Johnson have fewer opportunities to make their cases, and UH will have to rely in part on circumstantial evidence, even if it wins all its games in its bid to be this year's BSU.

Not that it should excuse the whole fiasco, but it's been a factor. And as Tsai and Ferd Lewis write, the scheduling fiasco was a "hot topic" at the media preview.

"It came up — a lot," in interviews with WAC area and national media," Brennan said. "I was asked about it all day."

The Tsai and Lewis story also reveals that new Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley grew up as a fan of June Jones.

Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley, the son of former Georgia coach Vince Dooley, said he has been a longtime fan of June Jones, who played and coached for the Atlanta Falcons.

"I certainly have a lot of respect for what he's done and what he's accomplished," Dooley said. "His teams always could throw the ball. I never worked with him, but his influence has probably traveled through other coaches to me. That's the effect of really good coaches. ... Anytime people get in four-wideout (formations), there's some kind of June Jones influence."

Whether that's BS or not, that's a nice thing to say.

And Ferd Lewis writes that Colt Brennan is looking forward to November 23.

"The last two years I've had good (statistical) games against Boise, but we haven't walked away with a win," Brennan said. "This year I don't care how I play individually. I mean that. All I want is that win. Especially at our place. If both teams take care of what they have to do we can give the nation quite a show between two great teams from the WAC."