UH recruiting articles before NLI day

Excited about his first recruiting class at UH, Mack said:
"I'm really excited with how everybody worked together in developing this recruiting class. The coaches have squeezed a lot into three weeks, but I really feel good about what they've done." (HSB)

Mack said that he has been UH's recruiting coordinator since he was hired:
"but I've had a lot of help. We have Hawaii to recruit to and the administration has been so supportive to help us go in a positive direction. I'm really excited about everything and we just have to wait and see who signs (today), but we feel real good about it so far." (HSB)

About how 2009 recruiting starts today, Mack said:
"Our recruiting for next year starts (today)." (HSB)

Praising Mack's recruiting efforts, Tuiatua Tuiasosopo said:
"Coach McMackin was the real difference. He's all about the player. He's real." (HA)

HA Note: "Limited to three weekends of hosted visits before today's start of the signing period, McMackin and his hired-on-the-fly staff canvassed Hawai'i and California to restock a team that lost a Heisman-finalist quarterback, four starting receivers and the top two cornerbacks. The Warrior coaches renewed friendships, developed contacts and made face-to-face meetings a requirement, punctuated by McMackin's historic home visits on the North Shore last week.

By this past Sunday, the Warriors filled most of their pressing needs. They received verbal commitments from a quarterback (Brent Rausch of College of the Desert), five speedy receivers, and four cornerbacks. They are among the 20 Warrior recruits who will sign binding national letters of intent today."

HA Note: "The Warriors had faced a culmination of obstacles. A recruiting budget frozen at $50,000 a year had restricted scouting trips to the Mainland in recent years. A week after the 2007 regular season ended, when Jones was without a UH contract extension offer and his future uncertain, recruiting efforts shut down, idled for the next four weeks. Following Jones' stunning departure to Southern Methodist University, the budget constraints were lifted. McMackin took advantage of the window of generosity, joining his assistant coaches on Mainland recruiting trips. McMackin also empowered his top assistants — Ron Lee, Cal Lee, Rich Miano and George Lumpkin — to aggressively pursue prospects. UH reopened the recruiting pipeline to City College of San Francisco, College of the Canyons and Compton College. So hectic was the pace that two days after being hired as quarterbacks coach, Nick Rolovich was taking the NCAA exam on recruiting rules. The following day, Rolovich was meeting with prospects."

About UH's late recruiting of him, CB Lewis Walker said:
"They came in kind of late. But the coaches were open. I'm happy they started to recruit me." (HA)

HA Note: "The UH coaches also were able to alleviate concerns. Ron Lee, who replaces Jones as the offensive coordinator, assured Rausch that a similar four-wide offense will be used."

About how he talked about UH's offense with Ron Lee, Rausch said that during his weekend recruiting visit:
"we definitely talked about the offense. I'm excited. I can't wait." (HA)

About how Mack pledged to stay at UH while he was a Warrior, Tuiasosopo said:
"He said, 'I'll stay with you until you graduate.' That meant a lot." (HA)

HA Note: "Last week, McMackin visited the homes of three Kahuku High players. Although UH head coaches had talked with Kahuku players on the North Shore in the past, they did not make home visits there in the previous 12 years. Not only did the Warriors receive commitments from two of Kahuku's best players — All-State linebacker Paipai Falemalu and outside linebacker Alema Tachibana — they weathered late challenges from pesky suitors. Oregon State continued to recruit Falemalu even after he gave his verbal commitment to UH last weekend. SMU called Rausch's coach last Saturday — while Rausch was visiting UH. Earlier, SMU tried to entice Kennedy High (Calif.) cornerback Steve Christian to take a recruiting trip. San Diego State kept after defensive end Haku Correa of Damien Memorial School."

About how Cal and Oregon kept after him, Tuiasosopo said:
"I told them not to bother. I told them I committed (to UH). Too late already." (HA)