NFL
By: Brock Vierra
With the Hawaii football program suffering their third straight losing season, while also losing a bunch of players to the transfer portal, Hawaii is suffering a similar fate as a bunch of other programs in the group of five. The problem is that Hawaii has the worst travel schedule in FBS football, one of the worst-funded programs in America, one of the worst stadiums in the world, and a variety of other obstacles that Timmy Chang and his staff will have to navigate in 2024.
Year three for a coach typically defines their tenure and Chang’s is off to a rough start. However, Hawaii finished the 2023 season by winning three of their last four games including a massive upset of Air Force and a dramatic last-second win on Senior Night against Colorado State, denying the Rams bowl eligibility, and giving Hawaii fans a glimmer of hope. For more insight into the Hawaii program, I spoke with longtime fan and analyst Sean Eyman who began his inroads into the program in the wake of the Todd Graham scandal for answers on where Hawaii goes in 2024.
Let’s talk Hawaii football
Vierra: Thank you for joining us Sean. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you grade Hawaii’s season?
Eyman: 6.
Vierra: What is the thinking behind your assessment?
Eyman: It was the most bipolar season I can ever remember. That 4 game stretch where they lost to New Mexico and San Jose State, and won against Nevada and Air Force was crazy. I thought Timmy had lost the team after the New Mexico loss. That win against Air Force was a masterpiece and signature win of the Chang Era.
Vierra: Has Timmy Chang proven he’s head coach material?
Eyman: He’s making strides. He is relentless in the community and recruiting. He needs to improve timeout management and the hierarchy within his coaching staff.
Vierra: Is it the coaching staff, the program’s financial shortfalls, or something else responsible for the exodus of players into the transfer portal?
Eyman: There has never been a harder time to be the head coach at UH than right now. With the NIL deals, the worst stadium situation in D1, and the lack of tailgating. All these separate issues have had a negative impact on UH’s attendance.
Vierra: Do you feel Timmy Chang and his coaching staff have implemented a proper Run N Shoot offense?
Eyman: No. This is not the RnS. There are concepts, but not pure Run ‘N Shoot. I see Air Raid and different offensive concepts. [Brayden] Schager could never get deep into a route tree progression or manipulate the safeties with his eyes. He would make one read most of the time. If he wasn’t looking at you when the ball was snapped, you were blocking. Once in a while he would check it down to a running back. So in that sense, Schager’s ceiling was always limited or low in my eyes. He played about as well as he could in this system with his skill set. That being said, I’m not that sad he won’t be coming back.
Vierra: With Brayden Schager entering the transfer portal, do you have confidence that Hawaii will have success if they start true freshman Micah Alejado
Eyman: He has to sign first. I think we will be okay, regardless. Looking forward to any QB that will be able to get deeper in to the route tree in the RnS.
Vierra: Is Jacob Yoro the right fit as DC heading forward?
Eyman: He did enough to return in the same capacity next season. I would like to see Shoemaker sent on his way and Dan Morrison brought in as OC and QB Coach.
Vierra: Will Hawaii be bowling in 2024?
Eyman: It will be tough. Looking at the schedule, I think a 4 or 5-win season is likely.
Vierra: Will Timmy Chang be Hawaii’s head coach in 2024
Eyman: I think UH should sign Timmy to an extension now. He deserves to coach the team in the new Aloha Stadium when (chuckle) it opens in 2028.
Vierra: What are your thoughts on T.C. Ching field, NASED (New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District), and the state of Hawaii’s football facilities?
Eyman: TC Ching Field is the worst football facility in the country at our level. It’s borderline embarrassing. I can’t convey how the absence of tailgating has affected the program, culture (or lack thereof), and morgue-like atmosphere prior to kickoff. The crowd isn’t pumped up or warmed up at kickoff. That nonsense at the Les ain’t cutting it.
Vierra: Has Hawaii’s prioritization of recruiting Hawaii kids backfired on their roster construction?
Eyman: The base of the program should always be here.
Vierra: What does Hawaii need to do in the next 3-5 years to build and sustain a winning program?
Eyman: Timmy just needs to keep recruiting his type of players that want to be here. His coaching staff hierarchy needs to be addressed. Adidas needs to step up and provide more than 2 uniforms and athletic apparel for the program. Tailgating needs to be allowed on campus. New Aloha Stadium needs to be opened ASAP to restore legitimacy to the program. TC Ching ain’t it.
Vierra: Any final thoughts?
Eyman: Go Bows! Be Warriors!
I’d like to thank Sean for his time and insight. Hawaii looks to get back to winning ways in 2024 and all college football fans look forward to a hopeful return of a Hawaii high passing offensive attack. For more college football content, watch The College Football Forecast below!
