JD the AD, Fall Camp, Previews, Cadiz, Etc.

After several months on job, UH athletic director Jim Donovan now has a contract. Ferd Lewis has a bunch of details.

Stephen Tsai interviews Greg McMackin about the upcoming season. Here's an excerpt about getting rid of the 220s:

On eliminating the 220s:

"I don't want anyone to pull anything. We're not giving endurance tests, which is a change. We're going to practice and work on conditioning. Conditioning is a big factor, obviously. We're going to have sudden changes during practices. We'll practice, then blow a whistle, and the offense and defense will run. Then they'll go back to their drills. It's realistic conditioning."

Lots of good stuff from that interview.

Over at Sportshawaii.com, regular practice observer NelsonO lists some things he's looking forward to seeing in fall camp.

Felix Chavez of the Las Cruces Sun-News has a 2008 UH preview, with lots of quotes from Greg McMackin and Solomon Elimimian.

Shawn Harrison of the Herald Journal in Utah has a preview as well, writing that UH will be relying on the defense early. It includes more quotes from Solimimian and Mack.

“I am really excited about our defense,” McMackin said. “We have two 300-plus (pound) mothers in the middle who also have speed. Speed is really important.”

Stephen Tsai writes that walk-on running back Joey Cadiz has made the 105-man fall camp roster. There's also info on other players:

Cadiz, who is 5 feet 6, is expected to serve on the scout team. But earning a berth against tough competition is quite an accomplishment. Mario Cox and Alonzo Chopp have been invited to rejoin Aug. 25, the first day of the fall semester, when the roster limit is lifted.
Wideout Jett Jasper, slotback Nate Nasca, cornerbacks Kawika Ornellas and Richard Torres, and offensive lineman Les Soloai also earned training-camp berths.

And then there's this:

It’s never too early to think ahead.
One of the 28 scholarship offers went to an eighth-grader.

Interesting!

Dave Reardon has a Sports Notebook with news about season ticket sales, Carl Clapp, Francis Maka's NCAA petition, a town meeting with Mack and JD at Waimalu Elementary School, and incoming JC offensive lineman Kainoa LaCount.

The highly regarded offensive tackle won't be able to report to camp until at least a few days into it because his last final at College of the Canyons (Calif.) is Aug. 7.

UH will likely keep a camp spot open for him, but LaCount could end up redshirting if he doesn't get up to speed quickly.

"I don't mind if I have to. It's another year to get bigger, faster and stronger," said the 6-foot-7, 290-pound Kailua High graduate. "It might be the best thing."

The article also has a nice fall camp schedule JPG.