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Ching Spring Practice Huddle

Football

Chang Era Begins With First Spring Practice Of 2022

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior football team hit the Cooke Practice Field on Tuesday morning for the first of 15 spring football practices stretched over the next month. It marked a new era in UH football with the inaugural practice session for first-year head coach Timmy Chang.
 
The day opened as nearly 100 players and more than a dozen coaches eagerly strode onto the field under the early morning light. Practice officially started at 7:00 a.m. as the Rainbow Warriors went to work with focus, intensity, and unrelenting energy. More than 70 players return from last year's team and are joined by close to 30 newcomers.
 

"It was just good to come out here and play some football finally," Chang said of his first day leading the Warriors on the field. "These guys have been working hard, had a week off for spring break, and they got to run the plays that we're gonna be doing during the season, offensive, defensively, and special teams wise. So to get out here and run around, it felt pretty good."
 
"It feels good cause those guys have smiles on their faces. They're loving each other, they're talking about the braddahhood, they're talking about being with each other, and doing it for the guy next to them and that's what it's about. If we can do that, then eventually if we can put them in the right position and they can go and play, then it's all gonna translate to wins down the road."

Tuesday also marked a return to the practice field where Chang honed his skills as record-setting quarterback for UH nearly two decades ago. This time he roamed the field as the head coach of the UH program.

"Man, it's pretty special," he said. "Seeing some of the old teammates come out and some of the guys before that played here. That was pretty special, just seeing those guys. This is unreal, I mean it's a surreal moment, and I'm very grateful for it."

Chang was not the only alum to make his return. Former players Chris Brown (linebackers coach) and Keiki Misipeka (running backs coach) also made their return to Manoa to mentor the next generation of Rainbow Warriors. They were joined by a group of new assistant coaches that include Ian Shoemaker (offensive coordinator), Thomas Sheffield (special teams coordinator), Eti Ena (defensive line), Josh Brown (safeties) Jared Ursua (wide receivers) and Roman Sapolu (offensive line). Jacob Yoro (defensive coordinator) and Abe Elimimian (cornerbacks) are the mainstays, having served under multiple UH regimes. 

"I love our staff," Chang said. "When we hired them, they came from different backgrounds but they can all coach ball at a high level. I was really impressed with their energy and the things they were coaching and the things they were saying. We'll go back and reassess what we can do to get better as a staff, but I'm really impressed with our staff."

The Rainbow Warriors return to action on the practice field on Thursday, March 24. That practice is closed to the public. However, all practices will be open to the public beginning Saturday, March 26. UH will take the field at 9:00 a.m. that morning
 
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