Rainbow Warriors aim for another bowl
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2017 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.
Hawaii Nick Rolovich (7-7, entering second season; 7-7 overall)
7-7, 4-4 in Mountain West Conference, second in Mountain Division
Hawaii has struggled ever since June Jones led the team to what was then known as a Bowl Championship Series bowl and then jumped to take the SMU job. Norm Chow, a well-respected veteran offensive coordinator with strong Hawaii ties, was thought to be the right choice to jumpstart the Rainbow Warriors. However, the team could make little progress under Chow’s direction. Despite a tight budget and loyalty to Chow, Hawaii officials ultimately decided they had to make a change late in the 2015 season and fired Chow. Nick Rolovich, a former Hawaii quarterback, proved to be a perfect fit for the job.
Rolovich made the most of the resources available and led the Rainbow Warriors to dramatic improvement. The team gets a special NCAA dispensation to schedule an extra game due to the lengthy travel for road games. As a result, Hawaii was able to reach the six-win threshold and capped Rolovich’s remarkable turnaround of the program with a 52-35 win over Middle Tennessee in the Hawaii Bowl. 3 5
WR Marcus Kemp, OL Leo Koloamatangi, K Rigoberto Sanchez
QB Dru Brown, OL Dejon Allen, LB Jahlani Tavai, DL Meffy Koloamatangi, DB Trayvon Henderson
Hawaii’s passing attack improved considerably, going from No. 98 in the nation with 192.4 yards per game in 2015 to No. 68 with 227.5 yards in 2016.
The new coaching staff ’s energy was infectious and helped the team tied for 22nd nationally in fourthdown conversion percentage (.600).
The Rainbow Warriors have to offset the loss of five defensive starters and must coax improvement out of a unit that struggled last season.
Despite some strong individual performances, the defense ranked No. 113 nationally in scoring defense. The unit surrendered 37.3 points per game, a figure its offense can’t consistently surpass. Rolovich has changed the energy level at REST OF THE COUNTDOWN Hawaii, but the Rainbow Warriors still have room to improve. His biggest challenge will be bolstering depth and finding ways to build on success despite the considerable travel obstacles his team will continue to face.
Rolovich summed up his team’s progress and his desire to keep working after Hawaii’s spring game, telling reporters, “I thought it was up-anddown. The defense came out with some great energy and made some plays, the offense responded toward the end.
“I’m sad it’s over.”