Though 1999 was a great season and left many of the doubters jumping on the bandwagon, Coach Jones knows that there is still much to be done. The ’99 season was a season of many firsts. First year for June Jones coming from the NFL’s San Diego chargers, first year for a run and shoot style offense, first Oahu Bowl victory over Oregon State. The 2000 season also is already a season of many firsts too. First time playing with the new logo, new uniforms and also first time they have brought in the top 10 recruits out of the islands. Also since being associated with agent Leigh Steinberg they have managed to get various deals done with major companies such as reebok and pepsi. Thus increasing revenues for the football program which before coach Jones came was in shambles. This alone is show for a lot of promise but still the playing need to be done on the field. Coach Jones’ philosophy says that he doesn’t care if you played on the team last year, that doesn’t mean that the job is secure for next season which makes players try extra hard during spring and summer drills and give newcomers a chance to show their stuff

The biggest questions heading into this season most definitely are about the QB situation as well as the Offensive line. Last season Dan Robinson guided this offense to over 5000 yards of total offense over 4000 coming from his arm alone. But he has moved on to the NFL and now the warriors must also move on. That’s where JC quarterbacks Nick Rolovich and Jared Flint comes in. Both highly regarded coming out of California and rated in the top 100 of JC quarterbacks. But they will have to do battle with Sophmore returnee Mike Harrison who has the leg up on the starting position for the time being. Harrison spent a year watching Robinson and knows the system the best, which is why he is the favorite. Offensive line is another concern for them because 4 of 5 starters moved on the NFL. The only returnee is Junior Manly Kanoa who needs to be the anchor of the line. Lui Fuata, Vince Manuwai, Brian Tomihama and Chris Smith will join Kanoa. If Hawaii has any chance of repeating the success that they had in 1999 it will rest in the hands of the offensive line because with using multiple receivers there are less blockers and keeping one or two back to block takes away from the potency of the passing attack. A key player in the blocking scheme is the running back where Seniors Afatia Thompson and Avion Weaver both did an adamant job. Thompson, the better of the blockers also rushed for 438 yards on 91 carries, caught 26 balls for 212 yards and scored three touchdowns. Weaver carried the ball 132 times for 729 yards and also caught 24 passes for 216 yards and was named MVP of the Oahu bowl. But the true run and shoot offense revolves around the receivers where Hawaii shined in ’99. The receiving corps will be returning 3 of the 4 starters from last year, which is much reason for hope. Although they are losing top receiver Dwight Carter they still have many weapons to throw to. Senior Channon Harris caught 61 passes for 941 yards and 8 touchdowns including two in the Oahu bowl. Junior Craig Stutzman caught 67 passes for 708 yards and also had 8 scores. But many are looking at Sophmore Ashley Lelie to big the go to guy. As a freshman, Lelie caught 40 passes for 561 yards and 2 touchdowns. With Carter gone look for his numbers to drastically increase over the next couple of years. Also many say that Carter won’t be missed for long with the arrival of incoming freshman Mark Tate. He was the MVP of a recently played all-star game in California, which shows his potential. Look for the Rainbows to use many receivers though including Davey Delaura, Sean Butts, Justin Colbert, and Jamal Garland.

Even though Hawaii’s success seemed to be because of the points they put up it was actually the consistent defense that did the job. Leading tackler Jeff Ulbrich is in the NFL now but many are saying that Sophmore middle Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa will be just as good or even better. He sure has his share of credentials, as well. He was highly recruited but with his off the field troubles no one wanted to take a chance and that’s how he ended up in Hawaii. Hawaii is sure glad they landed him. The linebacking corps is comprised of returnees, Seniors Anthony Smith and Yaphet Warren to go along with Tinoisamoa. But look for Keani Alapa, Jaoquin Avila, and Rinda Brooks to see plenty of playing time. The defensive line has perhaps the most depth on the defensive side of the ball with different people bringing different things to the table. Junior Mike Iosua and Seniors Doug “big business Sims and Miles Garner are the run stuffing Tackles along with Sophmore Lui Fuga. The ends will be comprised of senior returnee Joe Correia along with Sophmore transfer Laanui Correia who coaches are very high on. Throw in Chris Brown and Steve Dietschy and you got quite a dominating force, perhaps the most underrated. Now like the offensive line is the key to the offense, the Defensive backs are the same to the defense. The Safeties are the strong point where defensive player of the year candidate Senior Dee Miller looks to cause a lot of problems for opposing receivers again and Junior Nate Jackson looks to lay more hard hits. The corners are cause for concern where returnee Shawndell Tucker mans one corner and “Flex” Armstrong will man the other. Both are undersized and have to use their speed to their advantage.

Special teams will be solid where Senior Jamal Garland will be handling kickoffs and Punt Returns. He averaged over 30 yards on kickoff returns and around 7or 8 on Punt returns. Senior Eric Hannum who struggled all season but hit 3 of 3 in the Oahu bowl victory to show his clutch ability will once again handle kicking duties. Senior Jake Huggins who also showed promise during spring practice will challenge him. Now the punting job seems to be going to JC transfer Greg Kleidon who averaged 46 yards in Junior College but there is still an outside chance that the job will go to Australian rugby player Will Mcbriar who NFL punter Darren Bennett personally suggested to Coach Jones. McBriar can kick the ball 60-70 yards on the run with accuracy, which is a vital part to the field position battle.

All of this said, there is still only one way to prove all of the doubters wrong again and that is to keep winning football games and hopefully those doubters will once again be jumping on the Hawaii bandwagon come seasons end.