Ron Lee is officially the Offensive Coordinator

About how he always attends the seminars on the latest defensive strategies whenever he goes to football conventions, Ron Lee said:
"I want to learn as much as I can about defense." (HA)

HA Note: "Lee was the Warriors' receivers coach the past nine seasons. Prior to that, he was coordinator of a run-and-shoot offense that dominated Hawai'i high school football for nearly two decades, first at Kaiser High School (where he served as head coach) and then at Saint Louis School. Lee is set to implement an offense that is similar in look (two wideouts, two slotbacks) and philosophy (throw first, run when needed) to the four-wide offense June Jones ran at UH before he resigned to take the head coaching job at Southern Methodist last month."

About how his offense will rely more on power running plays, Ron said:
"we want to make the defense at least try to tackle." (HA)

HA NotE: "Jones required his receivers to run specified routes. Lee wants the routes to have more options, which are based on defensive coverage. Lee emphasized the options are part of a structured plan."

About the options the WRs will have, Ron said:
"It's not like they can run all over the place. It's not like streetball." (HA)

HA Note: "Lee and the new staff members on offense — quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich, line coach Brian Smith and graduate assistant Craig Stutzmann — will meet frequently to discuss strategies. The newcomers are former UH players."

About how he and the other offensive assistants will meet frequently to discuss strategy, Ron said:
"We're going to spend a lot of time together. We're going to get to know each other like we're brothers." (HA)

About how their new coaches should fit quickly with their system, Ron said:
"They've been part of the system. They love Hawai'i. The players will love these guys." (HA)

About how they will replace Colt and the WRs, Ron said:
"We lost the Fab Five, to borrow Bob Nash's group. It's a chance for the guys to step up. Michael Washington, Aaron Bain, Malcolm Lane, Greg Salas, Jon Medeiros. All of the guys who were backup guys, this is their chance." (HA)

Asked for his prediction on how they will do, Ron said:
"They'll do fabulous. They were capable of playing last year. They're getting their chance. They have a schedule they're going to enjoy." (HA)

HA Note: "There will be some experiments for spring practice. Running backs Daniel Libre and Kealoha Pilares will learn the slotback routes. Lee said there are some plays in which the running back will run slotback routes. He also said this will give the Warriors more flexibility with the lineup."

About how they may use Libre and Pilares as slotbacks, Ron said:
"Pilares and Daniel sitting on the bench doesn't help at times. This might help. We want to get the best people on the field. It's a long season. It's going to be physical. We want to keep that speed, that quickness the whole game. If we run 80, 90 plays, we want to have more people ready to play." (HA)

About how LWJ will stay at RB, Ron said:
"He's going to have a big year. I'm confident he'll be better. He's got the ability. He needs more reps in practice, a little more of an opportunity in practice. That's why spring practice is going to be important. You can't emphasize enough how important it is for players to position themselves. It's all up to them." (HA)

HSB Note: "When Ron Lee was offensive coordinator for Greg McMackin at Oregon Tech, the Hustlin' Owls led the NAIA in passing for three consecutive seasons. It should come as no surprise that McMackin again would go to Lee when selecting an offensive coordinator for the Warriors football team. Lee, 63, has been the Hawaii receivers coach the past nine years."

About choosing Ron for his offensive coordinator, Mack said in a press release:
"Ron has over 30 years of experience running the run-and-shoot offense. He has done a great job with June (Jones) in our offense and I truly believe he will continue his successful career." (HSB)