WAC schedule should be released next week

HA Note: “Whether the University of Hawai’i's football game at San Jose State is moved to a Friday to accommodate ESPN is one of the remaining pieces of the puzzle to be resolved before the Western Athletic Conference announces its 2009 schedule.”

HA Note: “The San Jose State game — probably in either October or November — is said to be one of six TV possibilities for the Warriors still under consideration. “That’s one of the games still being discussed,” said someone with knowledge of the situation but who has declined to be identified because negotiations are on-going.”

About games on ESPN and ESPN2, WAC associate commimssioner Jeff Hurd said that he belives UH will:
“likely get two to four” (HA)

HA Note: “There are additional possibilities on ESPNU. The WAC’s contract with ESPN assures a minimum of 10 conference games spread over ESPN and ESPN2 plus additional games on ESPNU.”

Hoping that the WAC schedule is done next week, WAC commisionser Karl Benson said:
“We hope to have this done next week. There are a few details remaining to be worked out.” (HA)

UH having its first Junior Day and 30 Japanese coaches are attending Mac’s Clinic

About having about 30 coaches from Japan attend his Coaches Clinic, Mac said:
“We’re trying to build a bridge so Hawaii is Japan’s team. There’s a lot of good will on both sides.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “UH is hosting its first “Junior Day” in conjunction with the final day of practice. High school coaches were asked to nominate their top prospects to attend the event on campus, which counts as a recruiting visit. McMackin expects to draw between 150 and 200 players and their parents.”

About having their first Junior Day, Mac said:
“On the mainland they do this; we’ve just never done this here. We’re trying to stay on the leading edge of recruiting. Recruiting is such a year-round, full-time deal. We want to get out of losing nine guys (on offense) last year and nine guys (on defense) this year. We’re working really hard to recruit year-round and get the right guys and do it the right way.” (HSB)

Mac inspiring Hawaii’s Middle School Students

HA Note: “The top students from Hawai’i's public middle schools have a chance to see their names in bright lights this fall. University of Hawai’i football coach Greg McMackin is planning to create a program that will honor the academic accomplishments of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. He is seeking to create an advisory board of teachers, counselors and administrators. Based on the nominations from school counselors, the board will select the “Coach McMackin Academic All-Stars.” Each All-Star will receive a T-shirt.”

About inviting each Academic All-Star and their parents and teachers to a UH football game, Mac said:
“We’ll introduce them at halftime, put their names up on the JumboTron and give them the recognition they deserve.” (HA)A

About raising money through his foundation (which will cover the expenses for the Middle School program) with donations from companies that do not usually deal with UH, Mac said:
“We’re not going to take away any money that would go to the school or the athletic department.” (HA)

About how the program is not limited to football players or student-athletes, Mac said:
“It’s open to everyone.” (HA)

HA Note: “McMackin said the concept originated while he was recruiting football players. He found that many prospects did not take the necessary courses to gain admittance to a four-year college.”

About the importance of students being prepared for high school, Mac said:
“So many times, a kid isn’t going to be eligible because he didn’t do very well during his ninth-grade year.” (HA)

HA Note: “McMackin said he wanted to create a program to inform middle-school students on the high-school courses they need to gain admission to a four-year college.”

About targeting his program at public Middle Schools, Mac said:
“I think some of the best teaching is done in the public schools. But some students need to be motivated. When they hit the ninth grade, everything counts toward college.” (HA)

About hosting an open house ata UH, with professors from different fields serving as speakers, Mac said:
“I’d like to get (the middle-school students) on campus, to show them the dream of college. So many kids have not seen the University of Hawai’i campus.” (HA)

About visiting Middle Schools this year, especially because they probably cannot do an open house this year, Mac said:
“I want every kid to know what it takes to get into college. It doesn’t have to be here. It can be at another college. But every kid needs to know that it’s possible. I love Hawai’i and the people here. I want to do my best to help.” (HA)

Spring Practice Notes

About trying Inoke at slotback and possibly on special teams, Mac said:
“If he feels comfortable and we feel he can contribute, then great. If not, we’re going to move him back to quarterback and let him fight it out for the backup role.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Funaki, who changed his number from 11 to 2, is listed as the backup to Leon Wright-Jackson at running back on the depth chart heading into spring practice.”

HSB Note: “McMackin said the Warriors aren’t planning significant changes in their schemes on offense or defense, and probably won’t work the tight end package into practice until summer. The coaches are looking at using defensive ends Tua Mahaley and Bo Montgomery and backup quarterback Steele Jantz in that role, with them learning one of the slot receiver positions. It will give the coaches the option of putting them in as a receiver or using them as part of the protection scheme.”

About using several players in one of the slot receiver positions, using them kind of like a TE, Mac said:
“Now you have this guy in the game who knows the routes. You see a blitz, now you bring him inside, so it gives you max protection. I’m thinking it’s more of an if-we-need-it type of thing. … It’s a wrinkle, it’s something we can go to if we need to.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Although his name doesn’t appear on the Hawaii football’s team’s two-deeps heading into spring practice, Viliami Nauahi figures to get ample opportunity to prove himself once the Warriors hit the field on Monday. Blaze Soares and Paipai Falemalu are listed as the top candidates at one of the outside linebacker spots on the Warriors’ depth chart released yesterday. But both are expected to sit out spring practice as they continue their recovery from injuries. UH head coach Greg McMackin said the absences will give Nauahi, a converted safety, a chance to see more reps at linebacker.”

About how Blazae is still not over the lower leg injury he suffered early in Fall camp last year, Mac said:
“I’ve talked to the trainers and the doctors and he’s not going to be ready for spring. They’re hoping after spring he’ll be ready to go, but we’re not going to take a chance on hurting him.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “McMackin said Falemalu, a freshman who had shoulder surgery last season, and defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea (coming off an arm injury) have been cleared, but their roles will likely be limited this spring.”

HSB Note: “Greg McMackin says the kicking game will get a “complete overhaul.” The guy who will do it is new assistant Chris Tormey. He spent some time in Gainesville last week with Florida’s and Cincinnati’s special teams coaches.”

About spending time last week learning about Florida’s and Cincinnati’s special teams, Tormey said:
“It went really well. We covered all aspects and I met with their defensive coaches, too.” (HSB)

George Daily-Lyles named Play It Smart National Student-Athlete of the Month

HA Note: “The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today that George Daily-Lyles, a senior linebacker from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, Calif., has been named the Play It Smart National Student-Athlete of the Month for February. A four-year member of Play It Smart at Long Beach Poly, Lyles has been an active participant in the program, inspiring his teammates to balance their powerhouse status on the field with equal success in the classroom and as leaders in the community.”

Crediting his team for his award, Daily-Lyles said:
“[Play It Smart] has taught the whole Poly family, about family and that there are no individual successes without family success. So this honor is a team honor, not an individual honor.” (HA)

About Play It Smart, Daily-Lyles said:
“Play It Smart is like a big brother standing over you and encouraging you to perform on and off-the-field. While my friends from other schools were fumbling around trying to keep up with the recruiting process, I was already set thanks to Play It Smart.” (HA)

Praising Daily-Lyles, Long Beach Poly Academic Coach Monica Kim said:
“George’s leadership skills have been invaluable to the football program. As team captain, he has taken on his younger teammates and stressed the importance of academics and discipline.” (HA)

Praising Coach Kim, Daily-Lyles said:
“Coach Kim has helped me get to where I am today. Without Coach Kim, I don’t know where I would be.” (HA)

About honoring Daily-Lyles, NFF Chairman Archie Manning said:
“Each month we honor student-athletes who demonstrate excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in service to others. George is one these extraordinary student-athletes. We look forward to following the bright future of this remarkable young man.” (HA)

Walk-on LB Vili Nauahi hasn’t touched his Wheel of Fortune winnings yet

HA Note: “Now 6-foot-2 Nauahi is a linebacker, weighing 230 pounds (up 10 to 15 pounds from his playing weight during the 2008 season). This offseason he has been doing split workouts — lifting weights/agility drills and linebacker-related drills. Nauahi, who majors in philosophy and is a member of UH’s Public Relations Club, is on track to earn a bachelor’s degree in December. As a non-scholarship player, he has used work income and student loans to pay for his tuition.”

About how he hasn’t touched the $47,560 he won on Wheel of Fortune last year, Nauahi said:
“It’s in the bank, tempting me. I was going to use the money to buy a car, but I figured I’d save it. I have no problems catching the bus.” (HA)

Miami’s head coach talked about trading Samson

Asked about their decision to trade Samson, Miami head coach Tony Sparano said:
“It isn’t really about what I didn’t see in Samson but having the opportunity to upgrade the position. Jake Grove really was a guy in free agency we looked and targeted for a long time. I know Jake, I’ve done the guy coming out (of college in 2004). For us it’s an upgrade in an area that is critical in our division. You look at our division and the people those guys have to play against (including Pro Bowl nose tackles Vince Wilfork and Kris Jenkins).” (Palm Beach Post)

UH’s 2nd Warrior Football Clinic is set for April 18

http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2009/3/24/FB_0324091721.aspx?path=football

UH = UH Athletics Official site

UH Note: “University of Hawai`i head football coach Greg McMackin and his coaching staff will conduct the 2nd Annual Warrior Football Coaching Clinic Saturday, April 18 at the UH Athletics Complex. The clinic is open to all football coaches at a cost of $15.”

About how he’s looking forward to this year’s clinic, Mac said:
“Last year was our first clinic and it was a huge success with coaches ranging from Pop Warner to high school. I’m really looking forward to this year’s clinic. We’re still looking to instill the basic fundamentals of coaching and we have a terrific staff who’ll share their knowledge, including two new members in Gordy Shaw and Chris Tormey.” (UH)

Samson looks forward to getting to Oakland

About wearing black with the Raiders, Samson (who wore black with the Warriors) said:
“I wouldn’t mind getting back in a black jersey again.” (HSB)

Looking forward to getting to Oakland, Samson said:
“I’m really excited. I’m glad the Dolphins drafted me, but it’s a business. They went in another direction, but it worked out good and I can’t wait to get to Oakland and start fresh. I have a lot of family in California. Everybody’s happy and I just have to do my job now.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Satele said his timetable for reporting to the Raiders is “ASAP,” and he’s now immersed in moving his family from South Florida to northern California.”

About winning just one game his rookie year and making the playoffs in his second year, Samson said:
“Coming in my rookie year I didn’t know what to expect and to win only one game was hard. But to be part of that turnaround was awesome.” (HSB)

Samson interview in the San Francisco Chronicle

SFC = San Francisco Chronicle

About being prepared for 3-4 defenses because he practiced against one in Miami, Samson said:
“I practiced on it and played against it all the time, so I know a lot about it. It’ll help a lot.” (SFC)

SFC Note: “He’s agile and athletic, a plus for the zone-blocking scheme used by the Raiders. But, he reportedly struggled with the bigger nose guards in the division – namely, the Patriots’ Vince Wolford and the Jets’ Kris Jenkins.”

SFC Note: “Satele said he’s never played in a zone-blocking scheme, which requires lesser-sized linemen to be on the move instead of dropping anchor in a power scheme.”

About how he feels he’ll be a good fit for Oakland’s zone-blocking scheme, Samson said:
“I’ve watched it before, so I think it’ll be a good fit for me because I’m athletic. I’m fired up.” (SFC)