Saturday, July 20, 2013

HAWAI’I FOOTBALL: 2013 PRE-SEASON REPORT CARD


PUBLICATION ORDER: Sections of the Pre-Season Report Card are published in the following order: (1) Schedule; (2) Coaching; (3) Momentum (4) Discipline On The Field (i.e. penalties); (5) Turnovers; (6) Special Teams; (7) Defense; (8) Offense; and (9) Summary.


TURNOVERS

Rationale: The past does not always predict the future, but the past often predicts the future

Team Recovered Turnovers (i.e. Gained Turnovers)
[2012 Team Statistic: Recovered Fumbles] 10 total recovered fumbles (0.8 pgp)
[2012 Team Statistic: Caught Interceptions] 9 total caught interceptions (0.8 pgp)
[2012 Team Statistic: Combined Recovered Turnovers (fumbles plus interceptions)] 19 total combined recovered turnovers (1.6 pgp)

Team Lost Turnovers
[2012 Team Statistic: Lost Fumbles] 20 total lost fumbles (1.7 pgp)
[2012 Team Statistic: Thrown Interceptions] 13 total thrown interceptions (1.1 pgp)
[2012 Team Statistic: Combined Lost Turnovers (fumbles plus interceptions)] 33 total combined lost turnovers (2.8 pgp)

NOTE: Hawai’i does not have a returning starter at quarterback

Team Combined Net Turnovers [(Recovered Turnovers) minus (Lost Turnovers)]
[2012 Team Statistic: Combined Net Turnovers] negative 14 combined net turnovers (negative 1.2 pgp)

GRADE (Turnovers): D


DISCIPLINE ON THE FIELD

Rationale: The past does not always predict the future, but the past often predicts the future

Team Penalties
[2012 Team Statistic] 71 total penalties (5.9 pgp)
[2012 Team Statistic] 648 total penalty yards (54.0 pgp)

GRADE (Discipline on the field): B


MOMENTUM

Last season, Hawai’i won their final 2 games, but finished with an overall record of 3-9, including a conference record of 1-7.  Last season was among the worst seasons in school history, but Hawai’i was struggling with numerous injuries.

GRADE (Momentum): D plus


COACHING

Head Coach
Current Tenure as Head Coach at Hawai’i: Norm Chow is in his second season as the Head Coach at Hawai’i.  In Chow’s first season as the Head Coach at Hawai’i, he had an overall record of 3-9 (25.0% wins), including a record of 1-7 (12.5% wins) in MWC conference games, but Chow had to deal with many injuries, especially among linemen.

Last Coaching Position: Offensive Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach at Utah (2011)

Prior Experience as Head Coach: None

Other Notable Facts: Last season was an anomaly for Chow.  Chow has a long history of success.  Chow has won 3 National Championships (BYU 1984)(USC 2003)(USC 2004), coached 3 Heisman Trophy Winners (Ty Detmer, BYU, 1990)(Carson Palmer, USC, 2002)(Matt Leinert, USC, 2004), coached 6 NFL first-round draft-pick quarterbacks (Carson Palmer, USC)(Matt Leinart, USC)(Phillip Rivers, NC State)(Steve Young, BYU)(Jim McMahon, BYU)(Marc Wilson, BYU), coached in 29 bowl games, and received 3 awards for being the best assistant coach in the nation (2002)(1999)(1993).  Chow is one of the best offensive coaches in the nation and was the Offensive Coordinator (or Co-Offensive Coordinator) on various college and pro teams from 1982 to 2011.

Offensive Coordinator
Current Tenure as Offensive Coordinator at Hawai’i: Aaron Price is in his first season as the Offensive Coordinator at Hawai’i.  Price is also the Wide Receivers Coach at Hawai’i.  Price is facing the challenge of improving an offense that was ranked #118 in the nation for total offense last season.

Last Coaching Position: Offensive Coordinator at UTEP (2008 to 2012)

Prior Experience as Offensive Coordinator: UTEP (2008 to 2012)

Other Notable Facts: Last season, the UTEP offense was ranked #86 in the nation for total offense


Defensive Coordinator
Current Tenure as Defensive Coordinator at Hawai’i: Thom Kaumeyer is in his second season as the Defensive Coordinator at Hawai’i.  Last season, the Hawai’i defense was ranked #41 in the nation for total defense.

Last Coaching Position: Assistant Defensive Backs Coach for Jacksonville Jaguars (2008 to 2011)

Prior Experience as Defensive Coordinator: Tulane (2007), San Diego State (2002 to 2006), and Palomar (JC)(1998 to 2000)

Other Notable Facts: Kaumeyer has experience playing and coaching defense in the NFL


Special Teams Coordinator
Current Tenure as Special Teams Coordinator at Hawai’i: Chris Demarest is in his second season as the Special Teams Coordinator at Hawai’i.  Demarest is also the Safeties Coach at Hawai’i.

Last Coaching Position: Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach at East Stroudsburg (D-2)(2011)

Prior Experience as Special Teams Coordinator: East Stroudsburg (D-2)(2011)

Other Notable Facts: Demarest coached Mike Edwards (2012 1st Team All-MWC PR/KR) and Alex Dunnachie (2012 2nd Team All-MWC Punter).  Demarest has extensive experience coaching defense at various college levels.

GRADE (Coaching): C plus


SCHEDULE

Total Home Games: 6
Consecutive Home Games:
§  Week 5 (Fresno State) and Week 6 (San Jose State)

Total Away Games: 6
Consecutive Away Games:
§  Week 2 (at Oregon State), Week 3 (Bye Week), and Week 4 (at Nevada)
§  Week 10 (at Utah State) and Week 11 (at Navy)

Bye Weeks:
§  Week 3 (September 10, 2013 through September 16, 2013)
§  Week 8 (October 15, 2013 through October 21, 2013)

MWC Non-Division Games (i.e. games against MWC Mountain Division Teams):
§  Week 9 (Home vs. Colorado State)
§  Week 10 (Away at Utah State)
§  Week 13 (Away at Wyoming)

Week 1: USC at Hawai’i
Game #: 1
Game Date: Thursday, August 29, 2013
Kickoff Time: 5:00pm HT (7:00pm PT)
Stadium: Aloha Stadium (Honolulu, HI)
Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level
Elevation Change for USC: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)
Travel Distance for USC: 2,559 miles (flight time is approximately 5 hours)
Time Change for USC: decrease by 2 hours (PT to HT)
Field Surface: artificial (UBU Sports Speed S5-M)
Weather: rain is always possible in Honolulu
Stadium Noise: moderate to high

Week 2: Hawai’i at Oregon State
Game #: 2
Game Date: Saturday, September 7, 2013
Kickoff Time: 5:00pm PT (3:00pm HT)
Stadium: Reser Stadium (Corvallis, OR)
Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level
Elevation Change for Hawai’i: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)
Travel Distance for Hawai’i: 2,539 miles (flight time is approximately 5 hours)
Time Change for Hawai’i: increase by 2 hours (HT to PT)
Field Surface: artificial (AstroTurf 12/2000)
Weather: rain is always possible in Corvallis
Stadium Noise: high (Reser Stadium can become very loud when full)

Week 3: September 10, 2013 through September 16, 2013
BYE WEEK

Week 4: Hawai’i at Nevada (MWC West Division Game)
Game #: 3
Game Date: Saturday, September 21, 2013
Kickoff Time: 5:05pm PT (3:05pm HT)
Stadium: Chris Ault Field at Mackay Stadium (Reno, NV)
Elevation of Stadium: 4,610 feet
Elevation Change for Hawai’i: increase by 4,570 feet
Travel Distance for Hawai’i: 2,568 miles (flight time is approximately 5 hours)
Time Change for Hawai’i: increase by 2 hours (HT to PT)
Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)
Weather: temperature may be in the 90’s at kickoff (5:05pm PT), but will cool during the game
Stadium Noise: moderate to high
Commentary: Nevada has a long trip and difficult game at Florida State in the prior week (Week 3)

Week 5: Fresno State at Hawai’i (MWC West Division Game)
Game #: 4
Game Date: Saturday, September 28, 2013
Kickoff Time: 6:00pm HT (8:00pm PT)
Stadium: Aloha Stadium (Honolulu, HI)
Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level
Elevation Change for Fresno State: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)
Travel Distance for Fresno State: 2,516 miles (flight time is approximately 5 hours)
Time Change for Fresno State: decrease by 2 hours (PT to HT)
Field Surface: artificial (UBU Sports Speed S5-M)
Weather: rain is always possible in Honolulu
Stadium Noise: moderate to high
Commentary: This game is an opportunity for Hawai’i to prove that last season was a fluke.  Or, was last season not a fluke?  Is Hawai’i now a lower tier program?  Fresno State has one extra day for travel and/or preparation for this game because Fresno State has a Friday home game in the prior week (Week 4).

Week 6: San Jose State at Hawai’i (MWC West Division Game)
Game #: 5
Game Date: Saturday, October 5, 2013
Kickoff Time: 6:00pm HT (8:00pm PT)
Stadium: Aloha Stadium (Honolulu, HI)
Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level
Elevation Change for SJSU: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)
Travel Distance for SJSU: 2,415 miles (flight time is approximately 5 hours)
Time Change for SJSU: decrease by 2 hours (PT to HT)
Field Surface: artificial (UBU Sports Speed S5-M)
Weather: rain is always possible in Honolulu
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: SJSU has one extra day for travel and/or preparation for this because SJSU has a Friday home game in the prior week (Week 5).

Week 7: Hawai’i at UNLV (MWC West Division Game)
Game #: 6
Game Date: Saturday, October 12, 2013
Kickoff Time: 5:05pm PT (3:05pm HT)
Stadium: Sam Boyd Stadium (Las Vegas, NV)
Elevation of Stadium: 1,600 feet
Elevation Change for Hawai’i: increase by 1,560 feet
Travel Distance for Hawai’i: 2,758 miles (flight time is approximately 5 ½ hours)
Time Change for Hawai’i: increase by 2 hours (HT to PT)
Field Surface: artificial (TurfTech)
Weather: temperature may be in the upper 90’s at kickoff (5:05pm PT), but will cool during the game
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: Jet lag could be a problem for some of the younger Hawai’i players who are not accustomed to Hawaii’s long trips.  UNLV has an extra week to prepare for this game because UNLV has a bye in the prior week (Week 6).

Week 8: October 15, 2013 through October 21, 2013
BYE WEEK

Week 9: Colorado State at Hawai’i
Game #: 7
Game Date: Saturday, October 26, 2013
Kickoff Time: 6:00pm HT (9:00pm MT)
Stadium: Aloha Stadium (Honolulu, HI)
Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level
Elevation Change for Colorado State: decrease by 5,150 feet
Travel Distance for Colorado State: 3,344 miles (flight time is approximately 7 hours)
Time Change for Colorado State: decrease by 3 hours (MT to HT)
Field Surface: artificial (UBU Sports Speed S5-M)
Weather: rain is always possible in Honolulu
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: Colorado State has a VERY long flight to Hawai’i (flight time is approximately 7 hours), which will certainly cause significant jet lag for Colorado State players

Week 10: Hawai’i at Utah State
Game #: 8
Game Date: Saturday, November 2, 2013
Kickoff Time: 2:00pm MT (11:00am HT)
Stadium: Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium (Logan, UT)
Elevation of Stadium: 4,710 feet
Elevation Change for Hawai’i: increase by 4,670 feet
Travel Distance for Hawai’i: 3,016 miles (flight time is approximately 6 hours)
Time Change for Hawai’i: increase by 3 hours (HT to MT)
Field Surface: artificial (AstroTurf)
Weather: insignificant (afternoon game in early November)
Stadium Noise: moderate to high
Commentary: Jet lag could be a problem for some of the younger Hawai’i players who are not accustomed to Hawaii’s long trips.  Hawai’i has a significant elevation increase of 4,670 feet that will likely have an adverse effect in the 4th quarter, especially on Hawai’i linemen.  Utah State has an extra week to prepare for this game because Utah State has a bye in the prior week (Week 9).

Week 11: Hawai’i at Navy
Game #: 9
Game Date: Saturday, November 9, 2013
Kickoff Time: 3:30pm ET (10:30am HT)
Stadium: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, MD)
Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level
Elevation Change for Hawai’i: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)
Travel Distance for Hawai’i: 4,859 miles (flight time is approximately 10 hours)
Time Change for Hawai’i: increase by 5 hours (HT to ET)
Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)
Weather: insignificant (afternoon game in early November)
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: Rather than return to Honolulu, Hawai’i could travel from Logan, UT to Annapolis, MD and stay near Annapolis for the week.  (Hawai’i did something similar a few years ago for consecutive away games that concluded with an away game at Louisiana Tech).  Otherwise, Hawai’i players will have a miserable week of travel (flight time from Honolulu is approximately 10 hours and total roundtrip flight time is approximately 20 hours!) and time changes (increase by 5 hours from HT to ET).

Week 12: San Diego State at Hawai’i (MWC West Division Game)
Game #: 10
Game Date: Saturday, November 16, 2013
Kickoff Time: 5:30pm HT (7:30pm PT)
Stadium: Aloha Stadium (Honolulu, HI)
Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level
Elevation Change for SDSU: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)
Travel Distance for SDSU: 2,611 miles (flight time is approximately 5 hours)
Time Change for SDSU: decrease by 2 hours (PT to HT)
Field Surface: artificial (UBU Sports Speed S5-M)
Weather: rain is always possible in Honolulu
Stadium Noise: moderate

Week 13: Hawai’i at Wyoming
Game #: 11
Game Date: Saturday, November 23, 2013
Kickoff Time: 12:05pm MT (9:05am HT)
Stadium: Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium (Laramie, WY)
Elevation of Stadium: 7,220 feet
Elevation Change for Hawai’i: increase by 7,180 feet
Travel Distance for Hawai’i: 3,323 miles (flight time is approximately 7 hours)
Time Change for Hawai’i: increase by 3 hours (HT to MT)
Field Surface: artificial (Desso Challenge Pro 60)
Weather: temperature could be in the 30’s at kickoff (12:05pm MT), but may warm during the game; possible snow on the ground; possible snow before and/or during game
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: Hawai’i will be enduring a flight of 7 hours (hello jet lag!), playing at an elevation more than 7,000 feet higher than home, probably playing in a temperature that is 50 degrees colder than home, and enduring a kickoff at 9:05 am HT (12:05pm MT).  This game could get embarrassing for Hawai’i if their 2013 team is a repeat of their 2012 team.  Wyoming Head Coach Howdy Doody may run up the score to save his gig, especially if he is having another disappointing season.

Week 14: Army at Hawai’i
Game #: 12
Game Date: Saturday, November 30, 2013
Kickoff Time: 6:00pm HT (11:00pm ET)
Stadium: Aloha Stadium (Honolulu, HI)
Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level
Elevation Change for Army: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)
Travel Distance for Army: 4,955 miles (flight time is approximately 10 hours)
Time Change for AWAY: decrease by 5 hours (ET to HT)
Field Surface: artificial (UBU Sports Speed S5-M)
Weather: rain is always possible in Honolulu
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: Army has two consecutive bye weeks (both Week 12 and Week 13) before this game (Week 14).  Army has another bye week (Week 15) after this game before playing the Army-Navy game on December 14, 2013.  Army players will surely try to get some beach days added to their long trip.  For many college players, focus could be a problem when traveling to Hawai’i between bye weeks, but is unlikely to be a problem for highly disciplined service academy players.  Army may leave early and stay in Honolulu to minimize the effect of jet lag.

GRADE (higher grade indicates favorable schedule): D (schedule is often a problem for Hawai’i due to long trips)



NOTE: Grading Standards: Grades are based on a national scale.  Unlike modern academia, my grades are not inflated.  A grade of “C” is average.  A grade of “C” is neither good nor bad; it is simply average.  A grade of “A” or “F” is rare.

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