Hawaii Football: Rainbow Warriors go back to the past to move forward

Eager to return to their glory days as a top-25 program and bring the fans back, Hawaii football has delved into its history to turn things around.

The Rainbow Warriors football program is at a crucial juncture, desperate to put a good product on the field. Since June Jones left, they have had just one winning record in 10 seasons.

This lack of success on the field has resulted in fewer fans in the stands. Last year saw an average home attendance of just 24,244, the third-worst season average since the team started playing at Aloha Stadium in 1975.

As such, you can understand the urgency to turn the program around and return to former glories. In that respect, the Rainbow Warriors have gone back in time, in their attempt to get back on track.

More specifically, head coach Nick Rolovich made the decision to bring back the run-and-shoot offense. And really, it’s tough to argue with such a move.

For a start, even in the Rainbow Warriors initially struggle to win games, at least they’ll be more fun to watch. Right away, this would give people more reason to go to Aloha Stadium, while also enticing college football fans around the country to tune in on the television.

Second, there’s the nostalgia attached to the run-and-shoot. This is something which Rolovich is well aware of, after previously playing in and helping coach the system in Hawaii.

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Finally, there is the potential for the scheme to be extremely productive and successful. And ultimately, that’s the end game.

Rolovich himself had fantastic success in the system during the 2001 season, when he went 8-1 after replacing Timmy Chang in the lineup. In the process, he set 19 school passing records.

The projected success rate is open to debate. Certainly, it will be extremely difficult to replicate the 75-41 record and six Bowl appearances Jones achieved between 1999-2007.

If we’re honest though, the Rainbow Warriors don’t necessarily need that sustained level of success. As long as there are some winning records and Bowl appearances in the coming years, Rolovich and the program will have done their job.

Of course, we’ll start to know more about what to expect, when the Rainbow Warriors kick off their season on Aug. 25, at Colorado State. For now, though, the signs are at least promising.

After some initial teething problems, the players are beginning to get used to the run-and-shoot offense. As a result, they’re now making steady progress at training camp.

Passing game coordinator Craig Stutzmann spoke to the media about the new offensive scheme on Wednesday, following practice. As reported by David McCracken of Hawaii News Now, Stutzmann said:

"“These guys are really competing. We’ve come a long way since spring … what they’re doing right now has been pretty impressive for Day 3. Now on Day 30, it’s probably not gonna be good enough. But Day 3, and the direction that we’re going in, I’m pretty confident that we’re gonna have a good one starting off.”"

Stutzmann’s biggest challenge will undoubtedly come from his other position as quarterbacks coach. With Dru Brown gone, who will take over the reigns for the new system?

Entering camp at least, Cole McDonald is the front-runner to start under center. In his favor, he has some of the attributes you want in your number one QB, including size and arm strength.

However, McDonald’s biggest issue is his lack of experience. Last season, he completed five of nine passes for 22 yards and a score in several fleeting appearances.

With this in mind, it theoretically gives Chevan Cordeiro the opportunity to win the starting job. He has already accumulated an impressive resume of success, including being named Hawaii Football Player of the Year at high school.

Perhaps more importantly, as per Dana Becker of Saturday Blitz, Cordeiro is already familiar with the run-and-shoot offense. He ran it to great success in high school, leading Saint Louis to the Open Division State title.

As things stand, the Rainbow Warriors are projected to finish fifth in the West Division and that’s entirely understandable. However, if they can get on a role with the run-and-shoot offense they will surprise a lot of people, in the process taking fans back to happier times in the program’s history.

What kind of season are you anticipating for the Rainbow Warriors in 2018? What do you predict their final record will be? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.