LIHUE — A one-win season is disappointing. University of Hawaii football head coach Norm Chow said it first when he addressed fans Friday evening. Disappointed, he said, but not embarrassed. “We don’t need to be embarrassed and I’ll tell you why.
LIHUE — A one-win season is disappointing. University of Hawaii football head coach Norm Chow said it first when he addressed fans Friday evening. Disappointed, he said, but not embarrassed.
“We don’t need to be embarrassed and I’ll tell you why. It’s because our football team played their rear ends off every single game we played,” coach Chow said. “Disappointed, heck yes … but I’m not embarrassed by the performance of our kids.”
Chow, along with defensive coordinator Kevin Clune and assistant coaches Kurt Gouveia and Wayne Moses, stopped by Kauai Community College to meet with fans and discuss the upcoming football season. About 150 people were in attendance at Na Koa’s Meet the Coach event.
“(Kauai) is a wonderful place,” Chow said after he spoke to fans. “We’ve been here three years. It’s always nice to see people we remember. Time flies quickly and it’s fun. It’s always been fun.”
Kapaa High School alumnus and UH offensive lineman Sean Shigematsu returned to Kauai for a homecoming of sorts and also was in attendance at the community college. He said he came straight from the airport when he arrived.
“I had class, so I took care of that,” the UH senior said, who majors in business management and is set to earn his degree in December. “I leave Sunday. A short break, but it’s always nice to be home and see familiar faces. It’s just good to be home.
“I have to go to the beaches because it’s not packed like Oahu. Hit some fresh water spots, cruise with my friends and just eat. Eat the good local food here,” he added about what he looks forward to doing with his time at home.
Shigematsu dealt with injury problems last season. He hopes to prevent those and make the most of his final season at Manoa.
“I’m just taking it one day at a time. As coach Chow said, ‘Just win the day,’” Shigematsu said. “Just looking to stay healthy, getting my degree. It’s a big thing for me and my family. Also (looking forward to) playing, earning my starting position, being a part of the O-line.”
Though he’s had to battle injuries, Chow said he suspects Shigematsu will earn his starting spot back.
“Sean Shigematsu is a joy to coach,” Chow said about his lineman. “I call them list guys. You don’t want everyone to be on a list. He didn’t go to class, list this, list for that. But he is not that way. He does everything the right way … He’s just a young guy that we enjoy having around.”
Clune, who was brought to UH’s coaching staff this year from Utah State, said he brings some new philosophies to UH as a coordinator and hopes it will help right the ship.
“Where I was at last year, we were very successful in the same league (Mountain West Conference),” he said. “I think we will match up very well once we get into Mountain West Conference play … Defensively, we’re going to play hard and play smart. I’m going to make sure that happens.”
Clune added he will stay on Kauai though the weekend to spend time with his family while the other coaches flew back after the event that evening.
“It’s been good. Great food, great people,” he said about the short time he’s spent on the island. “I don’t know anything, so everything will be a brand new adventure. Someday, I want to come back.”
Chow said the success of Utah State’s defense last year sold him on bringing Clune to his staff. His former team was ranked the 14th best total defense in the country last year and averaged 17.1 allowed points per game according to NCAA.com.
“I talked to some of my friends on the Mainland, some of the coaches that knew him, and without question he was highly recommended,” Chow said about his new defensive coordinator. “(I’ve seen) everything I was hoping for. He’s hard working, thorough, disciplined … I see that in him. I see a hard working guy that understands defense.
“Offensive football (in college) now is really, really varied. In the NFL, they all run the same offense. Now, you have to defend the option at Navy, then you got to go to the spread offense, then you got to go to a pro offense. I see him (Clune) adapting very well,” he added.
As for the upcoming season, Chow said no matter what happens, fans can expect his players to work hard and want to improve from last year.
“I saw the hurt in their eyes that we weren’t able to convert at the end. So our goal is to finish at the end,” Chow said. “I know our young guys. I know how hard they work and I know how badly they want it. That’s all I care about.”
