Hawaii Football: A new coaching staff offers new hope in 2020
By Zach Bigalke
New-look offense will get some tweaks
New offensive co-coordinators G.J. Kinne and Tony Hall will tweak the Hawaii offense slightly, instilling more of a run-and-gun look out of the shotgun rather than the run-and-shoot from the pistol that defined the Rolovich/Brian Smith offenses of the past few years. That should allow the veteran personnel in Honolulu to adjust rather swiftly to the coaching change.
One player who will certainly benefit from the shift is junior running back Miles Reed, who will get more opportunities to carry the ball. Reed will have to step up his productivity, because change-of-pace back Fred Holly remains in the transfer portal. With the increased workload, Reed could eclipse 1,000 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns this season.
He will benefit from an offensive line that returns all five starters from a group that ranked second in the Mountain West in tackles for loss allowed. Look out especially for left tackle Ilm Manning, who started all 15 games last season and finished as an all-Mountain West second team selection.
Focusing on quarterback Chevan Cordeiro
The most important player in any variation on a pass-heavy spread concept like the run-and-gun is obviously the quarterback. Last year, Cole McDonald led the Mountain West in passer efficiency even as he threw more interceptions and played more inconsistently at times. That inconsistency, though, allowed new starter Chevan Cordeiro to get some meaningful reps in 2019.
Over the past two seasons, Cordeiro has attempted 169 passes. Completing 99 for 1,291 yards and 14 touchdowns, his stats fall right in line with where McDonald was as an underclassman. If he can adjust to the full-time starting role quickly, there should be little if any dropoff at the position.
Cordeiro also benefits from the return of Jared Smart at receiver and an infusion of talent through transfers. Former Texas Tech tight end Tyler Carr and former North Texas wideout Rico Bussey both come to the island this year to fortify the receiving corps.