Dave Aranda Hired, Colt, AAFL

Jason Kaneshiro writes about UH's newest coaching hire, Dave Aranda.

Aranda's connection with McMackin goes back to Texas Tech, where he spent three years working with the then-Red Raiders defensive coordinator as a graduate assistant, concentrating on the defensive ends.

"I'm thankful to be here, it's good to be reunited with Coach McMackin for sure," he said.

"I know it's going to be a great situation with a lot of guys returning and a lot of talent. I know Coach McMackin is very excited about the front seven. I'm looking forward to it."

Aranda served as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Delta State last season, where he helped the Statesmen to a 10-2 record and a Gulf South Conference title. The Statesmen led Division II in pass efficiency defense and were second in total and scoring defense.

Stephen Tsai writes about one of Aranda's coaching techniques.

Aranda will bring a unique — and modern — approach to coaching. Skilled in multi-media techniques, he has used computer-generated visual aids to help his players.

For instance, he produced a video interspersing footage of an All-Pro defensive lineman and one of his defensive ends. The video was synchronized to music.

A defensive end "might say, 'OK, (the All-Pro) is leaning this way, I might want to do that,' " Aranda said. "You want to do all kinds of fun stuff."

Ferd Lewis writes about the blend of youth and experience the new staff has.

The addition of 29-year-old Nick Rolovich to coach the quarterbacks, 28-year-old Brian Smith to coach the offensive line and 31-year-old Dave Aranda to coach the defensive line is giving the Warriors a welcome youthful tint it hasn't had for years. The fact that the Warriors are doing it largely by choice and, hopefully, not by tapped-out budget constraints would be a good sign.

Clearly the "geriatric staff" — as some staff members came to jokingly refer to themselves — made that experience pay off with an 11-3 finish in 2006 and record 12-1 showing in 2007.

But the change in head coaches also affords UH an opportunity to rebuild — and reload — its coaching staff for the future. It offers an opening to bring in "younger blood" as assistant coach Ron Lee likes to put it. Not to mention fresh perspectives.

Welcome to Coach Aranda!

======

Arthur L. Mack writes about Colt Brennan's performance in yesterday's Senior Bowl.

"It was a great game (as a whole)," Brennan said. "I wish I could have played a lot better. But our team had a great chemistry and it's been a fun week. I just hope I can work out in the next couple of months and get bigger and stronger and have a great combine."

"He (Brennan) couldn't get the plays because of the microphone problems, and it caused him to be a little bit discombobulated," said San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who was part of the South squad coaching staff. "But he had a great week of practice. He'll be fine (in the NFL) because he sees things so well and gets the ball out quick."

======

And finally, three former UH players were selected in the inaugural All American Football League draft.

Defensive lineman Lawrence Wilson was the first Warrior taken in the 50-round draft, going to Texas in the seventh round with the 39th overall pick. Defensive back Abraham Elimimian went to Tennessee in the 10th round with the 59th pick. Receiver Chad Owens was picked by Texas in the 48th round.

You can learn more about this upstart league at their official website.