Warrior Quotes 11/23/10 (Grant Steen promoted to assistant strength and conditioning coordinator)

About the promotion of Grant Steen to assistant strength and conditioning coordinator, Mack said:
"They couldn't have selected a better guy. He's got a great athletic background. He understands athletes and conditioning. He's a great complement to Tommy Heffernan, who's one of the best I've ever been around. I give both credit for having our team in great condition." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Steen was a linebacker at the University of Iowa. He participated in the New England Patriots' training camps in 2004 and 2005, lasting until the final cuts both years. He played in Europe and Canada, as well as with Arizona in the Arena Football League. That last stop is where he met Nick Rolovich, now UH's offensive coordinator. At Rolovich's urging, Steen applied for a graduate assistant's position in the UH strength program. He was hired two years ago to help with UH's football, men's volleyball and golf programs."


Praising Steen, Rolo said:
"He's got a passion for it. He's been with the Patriots. That commands a little bit of respect." (HSA)


About how he and his wife were married on Kauai and he was raised near a lake, Steen said:
"The ocean lifestyle and football fit hand-in-hand. I'd love to be here a long, long time. I'm excited about contributing to everything, and keeping these guys on track, on and off the field." (HSA)


About how the bye week enabled him to get much-needed rest and recovery, Paipai Falemalu said:
"I'm very grateful for the bye. I got to rest. I got to heal my body up. It was good." (HSA)


About how he did not have a sack in their previous 10 games but had 3 sacks and forced a fumble against SJSU, Paipai said:
"I came out differently. It had a lot to do with the bye. I came out fresh." (HSA)


About how Paipai didn't get a sack before the SJSU game, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"He kept grumbling how he never got any sacks. But he got them in a bunch." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Falemalu said he is adjusting to defensive end. In training camp, he was given the hybrid role of linebacker/end. After the third game, he was made a permanent defensive end."


Crediting his teammates for his success, Paipai said:
"As a d-line, we executed together." (HSA)


Paipai said that fewer missed assignments helped:
"the defense play as one. That's when plays start to happen." (HSA)


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