2009 Record: 6-7 (3-5)
Head Coach: Greg McMackin (3rd season, 13-14)
Offensive Coordinator: Nick Rolovich (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Dave Aranda (1st season)
2009 Bowl Game: No gold at the end of the rainbow
Offense: The new OC is former star QB Rolovich. Tradition in Honolulu is awesome, and they are still running the run and shoot that they have been running for years. You have to love it. It hasn't been as awesome as it was under June Jones, but it still has potential to wreck a day or two. There are issues this season as QB Brian Moniz missed most of the spring with personal issues that were not disclosed. Nobody stepped up to push him, so he is still the man for better or worse. Greg Salas and Kealoha Pilares still return at WR, which will give Moniz some reliable targets. They combined for 172 catches last season. There is virtually no rushing game, and the line returns only one starter this season.
Defense: The front 7 is extremely thin. DE Elliott Purcell and DT Vaughn Meatoga are the only returnees. There is a major lack of depth and experience on the line outside of them. All 3 LBs are new starters, but all of them have experience. Aaron Brown and Corey Paredes are juniors while Jake Heun is a senior. The secondary returns intact, and this group was tough in 2009. Mana Silva and Spencer Smith are the safeties, while Lametrius and Jeremy Bryant return at the corners. Silva had 6 picks last season.
Special Teams: Scott Enos is not the best PK (12 of 19) but he is the guy again. Alex Dunnachie returns at punter, but he only averaged 39.2 yards per punt last season, so he'll have to strengthen that leg.
2010 Schedule
Wins: 9/25 Charleston Southern, 10/23 @ Utah State, 11/20 San Jose State, 11/27 @ New Mexico State
Toss Up Games: 9/11 @ Army, 9/18 @ Colorado, 10/2 Louisiana Tech, 10/30 Idaho, 12/4 UNLV
Losses: 9/2 USC, 10/9 @ Fresno State, 10/16 Nevada, 11/6 @ Boise State
The schedule only lends for 4 guaranteed losses, which still leaves opportunities for as many as 9 wins, and there are some games in the toss box against some very vulnerable opponents. Hawaii is a team that most years cannot be properly forecasted. They are always an enigma, and just when you think they are down, they bite you in the ass.
Outlook: The Rainbows (yes, I still call them that because that's who they are) will have the potential to pull a fast one and steal a bowl trip this season. The Schedule is not unreasonable, and if they solve some of their issues on offense, like the lack of a line and QB shakiness, than there will plenty of chances for Hawaii to win. However, they can completely fall off of a volcano cliff into the lava abyss too. Roll the dice on this team and ride the wave.
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