Coach Mack Interview, Aloha Stadium, Etc.

Stephen Tsai conducts a Q&A with Greg McMackin. Here's a quote about promoting Dave Aranda to defensive coordinator:

"I feel he's an outstanding coach. He knows the package as well as anybody. He's a brilliant guy, and a well-informed guy. He's always working to get smarter in football, going to pro camps and going to clinics and calling people, and watching tapes. We sort of shared the duties the past couple of years, as far as calls at certain points. I have no doubt he's ready to go. He made a good percentage of the calls from halfway last season, and I have complete confidence in him."

Ferd Lewis details the renovations that are occuring at Aloha Stadium.

Among changes for the stadium's 36th year of operation, according to officials:

» a new LED "Aloha Vision" video board
» touches of "Warrior green" paint
» a whole sideline of new seats in the orange level of the mauka side
» repaired steps and new hand railings
» "reduced bounce" pedestrian bridges
» a new roof
» reinforced structural framing
» a new south plaza concession stand

However, a potentially huge money maker for UH is not happening right now:

Construction of luxury suites and sky boxes has been proposed, but no funds have yet been allocated, officials said.

Ferd Lewis writes that no business wanted to buy naming rights to the field.

Ultimately, according to stadium manager Scott Chan, "there wasn't enough interest," and they were unable to put together a deal, but they might try again at a later date.

The cost of the turf, which is scheduled to be installed following the 2011 Pro Bowl, is projected to be about $2.5 million. Just $2 million was allotted in the last capital improvement budget.

Let's hope the rest of the funding comes through. In the meantime, the stadium will spend around $20k to "scrub and refurbish the turf."

And finally, Lewis writes that all the road games will be exclusively on pay-per-view.