HONOLULU – University of Hawaii head football coach Norm Chow announced the hiring of defensive coordinator Tom Mason and offensive coordinator Don Bailey, who will both join the Rainbow Warriors at the end of the month and in time for
HONOLULU – University of Hawaii head football coach Norm Chow announced the hiring of defensive coordinator Tom Mason and offensive coordinator Don Bailey, who will both join the Rainbow Warriors at the end of the month and in time for the start of spring training.
“We’re excited to have them both join our program,” Chow said in a press release. “Tom comes highly recommended and with a wealth of experience as a defensive coordinator for many different schools. He took over a tough situation at SMU last year and finished the season as interim head coach. He’s a proven coordinator and will implement a similar style of defense that we played last year.”
The remainder of Chow’s staff will be in place by the start of next month. Spring ball begins in April and will run through May.
Mason served as interim head coach at Southern Methodist University last season after June Jones’ resignation following the team’s second game. He was the Mustangs’ defensive coordinator since 2008. His other collegiate stops during a four-decade career include Fresno State, Nevada, Northern Iowa, Boise State, Portland State, and Eastern Washington.
Bailey comes to UH from Idaho State, where he spent the four seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In 2014, he was named Football Scoop’s FCS Coordinator of the Year. His coaching stops also include South Dakota State, Weber State, Montana State, Cal Poly, Boise State, and Portland State.
Bailey’s Idaho State squad led FCS in passing offense (348.1 yards per game) and ranked second in total offense (562.0 ypg).
“On offense, we realized we needed a full-time play-caller and we found that person in Don Bailey,” Chow said. “FCS coaches are known to be creative, energetic, and aggressive and that’s exactly the way Don’s offense played at Idaho State. He was the FCS’s offensive coordinator of the year and took ISU to record heights. He’s very enthusiastic about the opportunity and we’re excited to have him.”
