Spring Practice Quotes after Day 1

HA Note: "Greg McMackin went through his first day of practice as the University of Hawai'i head football coach yesterday, and he implemented a subtle change just before the team called it a day. When the Warriors gathered for a final team meeting, it was the offensive players who jogged across the field to join the defensive players. It was always the other way around the previous nine seasons under June Jones, who left to take over at Southern Methodist University in early January."

About how the offense came to the defense after practice, David Veikune said:
"At the end of practice a new thing we did, the offense came to us finally. Every year we would always have to go to them. But this year, they came to us." (HA)

About how Mack told the D to relax and let the offense run to them, Adam Leonard said:
"The first day, instead of running down to the offense, he said just relax and let them come to us." (HA)

About how the competition during the Spring will help them figure out who can play, Mack said:
"I think this spring we find out who the guys we have (that can play), and competition makes us a better football team. That's what we're going to have ... competition." (HA)

Happy that Spring Practice has finally started, Veikune said:
"It feels good getting out here early in the morning. We're usually sleeping in or in the weight room at this time. Now we're on the field, and this is what it's all around." (HA)

HA Note: "McMackin, the 21st head coach in University of Hawai'i history, spent most of his time yesterday with the defensive players on the ewa side of the field. He occasionally walked over to the other side to check out the offensive players."

Excited about their first day of Spring Practice, Mack said:
"It was exciting. I really was excited to see the players and their attitudes. Their attitudes are great when they came out and they really worked hard." (HA)

About how Ron Lee will call the offensive plays with some input from him, Mack said:
"I'm going to let him call the (offensive) plays, but I want to know what's going on and call a couple of plays. A couple of deep balls or something." (HA)

Happy with the coaches he has, Mack said:
"I was also really excited and proud of the coaches. I hired a bunch of great teachers. There was so much teaching going on. As a head coach, it's good to be able to go around and watch other coaches coach. They're all coaching our package and it was just really exciting to see the great coaches we have." (HA)

About the added duties that a head coach has, Mack said:
"I'm in charge of basically everything with the program. The discipline, academics, the entire aspect of the program. For a player on and off the field I'm in charge of him, which I like. That's why I like college football better than pro football. You can have an influence on players and obviously I'm in charge of all three sides of the football. I'm excited about it and I'm ready to take on the challenge." (HA)

About how the front seven will be the face of the Warriors, Mack said:
"I think we have an excellent front seven. I think that's going to end up being the face of our football team." (HA)

About their LBs, which return all of the starters from last season, Adam Leonard said:
"I feel it's one of the strengths of this football team. We feel we're the heart of the defense, the heart of the team. I feel we can set the tone of games and that's what we're planning on doing. Making big plays and just really dictating how the game should go." (HA)

About how he's fully recovered from the knee and thumb injuries he had last season, Adam said:
"I'm feeling better, finally a 100 percent." (HA)

About their first day of Spring Practice, Mack said:
"For a first practice I was really happy with the organization. We started at 7 and we finished at 9. Everything was according to the plan. We'll see a few bumps when we look at the tape, but I was very happy with the first practice. We have a long ways to go, but this is a good starting point." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Unlike previous years, the Warriors arrived at the grass practice field in unison. The more-than 100 players arrived on campus at 6:30 a.m. for a team meeting."

About what Mack told them during their team meeting, Keala Watson said:
"(McMackin) was telling us what we'd do in spring ball. Everything's changing, but for the better. Everything's more organized now. Us returning guys, we all know what Coach McMackin is about. Everything is discipline and do what you're told when you're told. It's something the new guys are going to learn, and we're trying to set a good example. A lot of us already know our plays and the spring is like a refresher for us." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The defense moved efficiently from drill to drill. When the green-clad players clapped out of huddles, it was loud and in unison."

About how most of the D already has had one year in his defensive packages, Mack said:
"Lot of veterans (on defense). They know the blitzes. We've got one year in the package, so we can go, it's exciting." (HSB)

Happy with how things looked on the offensive side too, Mack said:
"I was really impressed with the accuracy of the quarterbacks. For this early, they were very accurate." (HSB)

Laughing when told that Mack said that they were accurate in practice, Inoke said:
"It was good, it wasn't horrible. It wasn't the worst day I've had. A lot of the boys are all pushing each other, trying to get better. It's a pretty good first day, I'd say. We just want to keep things moving up the ladder." (HSB)

About how the WRs were "chaotic", but that is not surprising since all 4 starters are gone, Ron Lee said:
"The receivers are all over the place ... kind of like a fire drill, guys running all over the place. "We got a whole bunch of new guys." (HSB)

About how their offense looked on the first day of Spring Practice, Ron Lee said:
"We've got a long ways to go, but it's good to get started. We've got some tape, we can look at practice, make adjustments. It's our first day with a lot of fresh faces. So, I think today went well -- at least we didn't hurt anybody." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Graunke and Funaki are experienced in the shotgun snaps favored by former coach June Jones, but haven't taken many snaps under center since their high school days in Tucson, Ariz., and Kahuku, respectively."

About struggling with taking snaps under center, Tyler said:
"Feels a little rusty today, actually. First couple balls I threw were right in the dirt and ... I haven't done quarterback footwork drills in years. It's going to be tough, but I'm going to do it. I'm feeling better every day. I'm just excited about what we got going here." (HSB)

About the first day of Spring Practice, Inoke said:
"It was good, it wasn't horrible. It wasn't the worst day I've had. A lot of the boys are all pushing each other, trying to get better. It's a pretty good first day, I'd say. We just want to keep things moving up the ladder." (HSB)

HSB Note: "New quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich had the quarterbacks moving and shaking early and often yesterday, swaying forward and back in imaginary pockets on his command and launching balls after dropping back, a motion alien to taking snaps in the gun. Some balls sailed well over their intended targets' heads, but by the end of the 2-hour practice the players appeared more comfortable operating with the full offensive unit."

About taking snaps from under center, Inoke said:
"I think it's a little more difficult because our feet are moving faster and we have to stop quicker and set up and you're off balance and what not. Where in shotgun, you're more comfortable. You just catch the ball and take a couple steps and throw the ball." (HA)

Inoke said that the shotgun provides a better view of the D but being under center has its advantages:
"it's good in that we get the ball right away. You can keep (your) eyes downfield on what's going on defense. We don't have to take our eyes off of the defense to catch the ball (from shotgun)." (HA)

About working under center, Tyler said:
"Your feet have to be under you and your feet have to be real quick because your arm has to be ready to throw. It's different seeing the whole field -- you're more focused on one spot. But those things will come, and it'll feel just as normal as shotgun once spring ball's over." (HSB)

"It's a little hard. I'm working on things that I haven't done since high school. It's a little awkward, but I see some good things. Even if we go under center the whole time, we'll get it done, running or throwing." (HA)

About how having the QB under center will hopefully help their running game, Tyler said:
"I see a lot of advantages in shotgun, but under center is going to help our running game. It's going to set up our play actions. It's going to keep (defenses) true to the run because we're going to have a lot of running backs who can get it done. We're known as a passing team, so we're going to have defenses kind of confused as to what we're going to do. It's going to make our offense more complete." (HA)

HSB Note: "Freshman Shane Austin entered the day as the third-string quarterback, and split reps about evenly with senior Jake Santos. Redshirt freshmen Kiran Kepo'o and Bryce Kalauokaaea saw action on a more limited basis."

About players teasing him about being first team, Inoke said with a grin:
"They kind of joke around and tease me, 'Oh, No. 1 Guy,' trying to make me feel different. But we're all boys, we just joke around. It's still the same, the feeling between us boys. I don't want them to treat me any different. That's just where the coaches have me, it doesn't change the person I am." (HSB)

About being listed as the #1 QB right now, Inoke said:
"It's nice to see that the coaches have that kind of confidence. I'm trying to do my best to contribute to this team. Everyone's working hard because coach Mack said (positions are) wide open. Everybody's working hard and pushing everybody to get better." (HA)

About how he messed things up for himself when he got suspended, Tyler said:
"When I was suspended, I was definitely down in the dumps. But at the same time, I knew I was going to be back for spring ball. I got a lot to prove. I got a lot of people doubting me probably right now, but I'm looking forward to getting everybody back behind me." (HA)

About his suspension, Tyler said:
"My record didn't look too good and there was some things I needed to take care of academically and things from upper campus from years back that never got erased. Those things weren't going away and I had to take care of it before the end of the semester. Coach McMackin made me get it done before I got back on the team. It's going to be all right." (HA)

About adjusting to slotback as Spring Practice starts, Pilares said:
"It felt great just to get out here and strap on the cleats again, come out and play ball. The new position is fun, it gives more opportunities to run in an open area. I'm happy with it. Coming from running back, I don't really know what to do, so everybody's helping me out just to make the transition smooth." (HSB)

"There's a lot more to learn. It forces you to think on your toes. You really don't know what you're doing right off the line. You have to take your steps, read and react after that. So overall, it's a harder position to play." (HA)

About how Pilares did in his first day, Ron Lee said:
"He's doing fine, first day. He's fast, we got some speed up the field. It's (about) understanding where to be. We're just trying to get guys to line up right, motion, play calling." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Freshmen wideouts Royce Pollard and Joe Avery also benefited from increased looks on the first day of spring practice."

About the start of Spring Practice, Kepo'o said:
"Kind of (natural) today. Still gotta work on some knicks and knacks there. But it's coming along, hopefully soon." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The lefty was given a fair share of snap repetitions and appeared sharp in connecting with his receivers."

About being able to practice again, Kepo'o said:
"It's always a good feeling to be back with the boys on the field, especially missing all of last season. Kind of unfortunate, but took multiple steps (to get) back -- trying to work my way back into it." (HSB)

"It's always a good feeling to be back with the boys on the field, especially after missing all of last season. I kind of took multiple steps back, but I'm trying to work my way back into it. I'm not trying to rush it or anything, but basically I'm trying to get back into the motion of things." (HA)

"Of course, the boys (teammates) have been supporting me." (HA)

About how they will have the offense and defense play against each other on Thursday, Mack said:
"We'll go seven on seven when we get in pads in a couple of days." (HSB)

About Monteilh, Rich Miano said:
"He's a smart guy who can play both safeties, he's played nickel, lines people up, he made plays for us last year." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The first day of spring practice resembled a reunion of the Warriors' 2001 team. Members of that UH squad roaming the field were first-year assistant coaches Nick Rolovich (quarterbacks) and Brian Smith (offensive line), graduate assistant Craig Stutzmann and student assistant Chris Brown. Rolovich quarterbacked that 9-3 team with Stutzmann at receiver and Smith at center. Brown, a linebacker back then, led the Warriors in tackles that season."

HSB Note: "McMackin and Miano were scheduled to fly out of Honolulu yesterday to attend UH's pro day today in Los Angeles. They'll fly back tonight to get back in town in time for tomorrow morning's practice."

About how their defense will be more prominent this year, Keala Watson said:
"The defense in previous years has been kind of overlooked because of the high-powered offense. But this year will be our year to try to make a statement where we're not just a score-to-win team, but we can actually stop teams." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Hawaii's emphasis on defense seems natural with Greg McMackin succeeding Jones as head coach. But the former defensive coordinator said the shift is based more on personnel than his personal background. According to the depth chart, the Warriors -- who ranked 34th nationally in total defense last season -- return five starters on that side of the ball. In practical terms, reserves were among UH's most productive performers last year and the Warriors have experience at nearly every spot. Meanwhile, a UH offense that ranked in the top five nationally in passing in each of Jones' nine seasons is spending the spring piecing together a rebuilding project."

About how their returning strength on D is the reason why the D is being featured more than their O, Mack said:
"It's not that we're choosing to go defense over offense. But that's where our veterans are, so that's our starting point. ... We'll try to take the pressure off the offense." (HSB)

HSB Note: "McMackin hasn't been shy about touting the Warriors' front seven leading up to the spring with All-WAC linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian and hard-hitting junior Blaze Soares returning. The first group on the line yesterday were David Veikune (last year's sack leader), Watson, Joshua Leonard and John Fonoti, all of whom saw extensive action last season."

About how their D is confident, Adam Leonard said:
"The confidence is out of the roof right now. We lost a lot of starters, but we had a great rotation last year, so we feel we're really deep and it's a matter of fine-tuning our technique. We know the defense now and we can just elaborate on it a little more." (HSB)

About how the D is ready to pick things up quicker this year because it is their second year under him, Mack said:
"They were so much faster than last year, they knew what they were doing. We put four blitzes in today and we just had to tighten it up a little bit and make it a little faster. ... We're way ahead of last year." (HSB)

About how there isn't as much to learn this year, Keala Watson said:
"Last year it was a lot of thinking about where you have to be, this year it's all reaction." (HSB)

HSB Note: "For all of the familiar faces returning on defense, a few new faces made their on-field debuts, including two coaches as Dave Aranda and Ikaika Malloe put the D-line through a variety of drills. Aranda will work with the ends, with Malloe concentrating on the tackles."

Happy that Spring Practice has started, Malloe said:
"I missed being on the field and I'm sure the players were excited to get going. I just have to get on board to what Coach McMackin's doing and continue the success they've had. We're going to be an attack-style defense. With the tackles, we expect them to penetrate the line of scrimmage get into the heels of the guards and try to cause chaos from there." (HSB)