HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior football team opens spring practice, Saturday, April 4, with the first of 15 practice sessions on the UH-Manoa campus. All practices are open to the public.
 
The Rainbow Warriors will hold three practices during the first and third full weeks and four practices each on the second and fourth full weeks. Spring ball concludes with the annual "Spring Fling Warrior Bowl," Saturday, May 2 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. 
 
Head coach Norm Chow begins his fourth season with the Rainbow Warriors and welcomes five new additions to the coaching staff, including three new coordinators – offensive coordinator Don Bailey, defensive coordinator Tom Mason, and special teams coordinator Jake Cookus. In addition, former Warriors Abe Elimimian and Lance Samuseva also join as full-time coaches with the secondary and defensive line, respectively.
 
UH returns 17 starters and 46 lettermen from last year's squad. On the offensive side of the ball, returning starters include quarterback Ikaika Woolsey, running back Steven Lakalaka, wide receivers Marcus Kemp and Quinton Pedroza, fullback Justin Vele, and offensive linemen Ben Clarke and Dejon Allen.
 
Six starters return on the defense – lineman Kennedy Tulimasealii, linebackers Simon Poti and Lance Williams, cornerbacks Ne'Quan Phillips and Nick Nelson, and safety Trayvon Henderson.
 
The quarterback position will be hotly contested between Woolsey, USC transfer Max Wittek, and redshirt freshman Beau Reilly. Woolsey started 12 games last season and threw for 2,538 yards and 13 touchdowns. Wittek played two seasons for USC and appeared in 13 career games before transferring to UH last year. Reilly emerged as the back-up last season after season-ending injuries to Taylor Graham and Jeremy Higgins.
 
The Rainbow Warriors officially open the 2015 season against Colorado, Sept. 3 at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.
 
Spring Practice Dates
Saturday, April 4        10:30 a.m.
Monday, April 6          7:05 a.m.
Thursday, April 9        7:05 a.m.
Saturday, April 11       10:30 a.m. – Junior Day
Monday, April 13        7:05 a.m.
Tuesday, April 14       7:05 a.m.
Thursday, April 16      7:05 a.m.
Saturday, April 18      10:30 a.m. – Coaches Clinic
Tuesday, April 21        7:05 a.m.
Thursday, April 23      7:05 a.m.
Friday, April 24          CLOSED PRACTICE
Monday, April 27        7:05 a.m.
Tuesday, April 28       7:05 a.m.
Thursday, April 30      7:05 a.m.
Saturday, May 2         10:30 a.m.