Alex Gerke officially joins the Warrior staff

Harley-Davidson enthusiast Alex Gerke talked about how happy he is to join the UH coaching staff:
"I tell you what, you can't beat this place. It's so surreal just to be here. I've always felt this was the Shangri-La of coaching. This is a great place to be a coach. The people here are all outstanding; very friendly, very humble. The community is excellent. The program has great players, and a great tradition. Why am I fortunate to be here? All of the above." (HA)

HA Note: "Last season, Gerke was Weber State's assistant head coach in charge of the offensive line. Among his coaching stops were the University of Utah and Saskatchewan of the Canadian Football League. While he is a skilled offensive line instructor, Gerke has had experience coaching running backs."

About coaching RBs, Gerke said:
"It really comes down to teaching fundamentals, having a good relationship with the players. had running backs in my meetings plenty of times." (HA)

HA Note: "In addition to working with offensive line coach Brian Smith, Gerke will assist offensive coordinator Ron Lee in identifying defensive coverages during games."

Looking forward to filling his role for UH, Gerke said:
"I look forward to it. I want to help make sure we give coach (Greg McMackin) and this football team every possible chance to be successful." (HA)

HA Note: "Gerke drove from Utah to his hometown of Huntington Beach, Calif. Then he caught a flight to Honolulu, arriving yesterday. He already signed most of his employment papers."

About his passion other than football, Gerke said:
"I like to ride my motorcycle, bro." (HA)

About how he owns one Harley-Davidson, Gerke said:
"You only need one." (HA)

About how he often hit the open road on this Harley, riding through Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona, Gerke (who bought his first motorcycle in 1990) said:
"I look forward to meeting the folks in (Hawai'i's) Harley-Davidson community. I know (defensive coordinator) Cal Lee rides, and Mel (deLaura, the conditioning coach) rides. Now we have to make sure Rich (Miano, the associate head coach) trades in his little Honda Shadow and gets a real one." (HA)


About how UH faces his former team (Weber State) on Sept. 6, Alex Gerke said:
"I'm looking forward to that game. It's a good squad and Ron (coach McBride) will have the boys ready. I'm really looking forward to working for an outstanding head coach in Greg McMackin, being part of the University of Hawaii football family and I'm excited to keep what's been built here moving. I've always felt that this was the Shangri-La of coaching. Being here is just surreal." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Alex Gerke officially joined the Warrior staff yesterday, hired as running backs/offensive line coach. Gerke spent the past two seasons as offensive line coach at Weber State, Hawaii's first home opponent Sept. 6."

HSB Note: "An offensive lineman, who played at Utah under McBride, Gerke's coaching resume includes stints with the Utes and Cal Poly. Known for wearing shorts and tank tops on the practice field, Gerke said he couldn't wait to hit the beach this weekend; he left Ogden, Utah, earlier this week, getting out ahead of a huge snowstorm. Gerke has spent many summers in Hawaii, helping at coaching clinics on Oahu and Maui."

About how Gerke loves Hawaii, Mack said:
"He loves coming to Hawaii, and we're happy we can make it a little more permanent. He's exactly what I'm looking for in a coach. Besides his experience, he really cares about players. He's going to really complement our staff and be a great addition." (HSB)