Stature and coaches, 1971–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
2022–now
Timmy Chang Steady
Timmy Chang held Hawai'i at Regional Program IV for 5 seasons.
Averaged a 59% pass rate — among the most pass-heavy stretches in FBS since 2004
−0.8 pts over 5 seasons · top 36% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Brad Scott’s South Carolina run (1994–1998)
8th-best Hawai'i tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Todd Graham (2020–2021).
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 3-10 | 5-8 | 5-7 | 9-4 | 2-6 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #121 | #116 | #116 | #124 | #124 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | 54.7 | 62.4 | 59.0 | 59.7 | 61.3 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||
| OC | Ian Shoemaker | Ian Shoemaker / Roman Sapolu | Dan Morrison | Anthony Arceneaux | Anthony Arceneaux | |
| DC | Jacob Yoro | Jacob Yoro / Eti Ena | Dennis Thurman | Dennis Thurman | Dennis Thurman | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | 22 | 30 | 35 | 63 | 32 | |
| Defense | 3 | 33 | 38 | 25 | 14 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 46.6 | 61.6 | 56.3 | 55.5 | 57.4 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 42.1 | 58.2 | 66.3 | 60.7 | 57.0 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 39.1 | 41.2 | 23.1 | 28.2 | 30.0 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and underperforms his recruiting talent on defense.
Offense vs. talent
-2.1 pts
#120 of 208 · middle half
Defense vs. talent
-15.7 pts
#169 of 208 · bottom quarter
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
A typical amount of portal roster-building.
Portal arrivals
56
3.0★ avg rating
Portal departures
76
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-20
#111 of 187 FBS stints
Who they bring in
Brings in smaller-than-position-typical players than most.
A typical class-year mix of incoming transfers.
Avg. size (raw)
6′2″, 220 lbs
across 46 of 56 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix
Size vs. position-typical
-3.0 lbs
#245 of 255 · bottom quarter
Avg. class year
Jr
#150 of 255 · middle half
Top states: CA (11), HI (7), NV (5), FL (4), OH (4)
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
56.1
position-weighted
Talent lost
58.8
position-weighted
Net
-2.6
arrivals minus departures
Best addition: Joey Yellen (QB) from Pittsburgh
Biggest loss: Cammon Cooper (QB) to SE Louisiana
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Ian Shoemaker → Ian Shoemaker / Roman Sapolu (co) · 2023
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 46.6% → 61.6% (+14.9 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 61% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Ian Shoemaker / Roman Sapolu (co) → Dan Morrison (co) · 2024
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 61.6% → 56.3% (-5.3 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 90% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Dan Morrison (co) → Anthony Arceneaux · 2025
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 56.3% → 55.5% (-0.8 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 46% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Jacob Yoro → Jacob Yoro / Eti Ena (co) · 2023
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: Jacob Yoro / Eti Ena (co) → Dennis Thurman · 2024
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
208 lbs
6′2″ avg · #526 of 767 · middle half
Running back
201 lbs
5′10″ avg · #613 of 791 · bottom quarter
Wide receiver
188 lbs
6′0″ avg · #621 of 791 · bottom quarter
Tight end
230 lbs
6′4″ avg · #709 of 731 · bottom quarter
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
301 lbs
6′3″ avg · #657 of 779 · bottom quarter
D-line
260 lbs
6′2″ avg · #741 of 753 · bottom quarter
Linebacker
218 lbs
6′1″ avg · #741 of 772 · bottom quarter
Cornerback
185 lbs
5′11″ avg · #608 of 771 · bottom quarter
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Buys Running back via the portal
100%
#1 of 208 stints
Buys D-line via the portal
62%
#47 of 239 stints
Grows Interior line from high school
82%
#183 of 224 stints
Postseason detail2025: Beat California 35-31 Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl
2 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Kansei Matsuzawa (2025), Billy Gowers (2025)
AI Narratives — “Hawai'i — stat check” and 5 more on the team page.
−0.8
24-35
2016–2019
Nick Rolovich Steady
Nick Rolovich held Hawai'i at Regional Program IV for 4 seasons.
2017 defense ranked in the 5th percentile nationally — historically bad
−2.7 pts over 4 seasons · top 48% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Bill Doba’s Washington State run (2003–2007)
9th-best Hawai'i tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Norm Chow (2012–2015) · succeeded by Todd Graham (2020–2021).
System Shift, on departure
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 7-7 | 3-9 | 8-6 | 10-5 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | — | L bowl | W bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | #108 | #86 | #96 | #114 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | 47.9 | 50.2 | 56.7 | 60.2 | |
| Coordinators | |||||
| OC | Brian Smith | Brian Smith | Brian Smith | Brian Smith | |
| DC | Kevin Lempa | Legi Suiaunoa | Corey Batoon | Corey Batoon | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | 64 | 30 | 49 | 93 | |
| Defense | 11 | 5 | 18 | 19 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | 41.4 | 44.6 | 56.3 | 63.2 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 37.1 | 46.1 | 58.8 | 53.5 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 48.3 | 48.6 | 55.1 | 39.5 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Outperforms his recruiting talent on offense and underperforms his recruiting talent on defense.
Offense vs. talent
+20.3 pts
#40 of 208 · top quarter
Defense vs. talent
-26.9 pts
#191 of 208 · bottom quarter
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Brian Smith → Brian Smith · 2017
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 41.4% → 44.6% (+3.2 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 61% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Kevin Lempa → Legi Suiaunoa · 2017
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: Legi Suiaunoa → Corey Batoon · 2018
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Grows Running back from high school
100%
#196 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2016: Beat Middle Tennessee 52-35 Hawai'i Bowl2018: Lost to Louisiana Tech 14-31 Sofi Hawai'i Bowl2019: Beat BYU 38-34 Sofi Hawai'i Bowl
3 NFL Draft picks: Jahlani Tavai (2019), John Ursua (2019), Cole McDonald (2020)
−2.7
28-27
2015
Chris Naeole Short tenure
No outlier style signal this stint
1-3
2012–2015
Norm Chow Steady
Norm Chow slid Hawai'i from Regional Program I to Regional Program IV in 4 seasons.
2012 offense ranked in the 4th percentile nationally — historically bad
−11.5 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 8% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Vic Koenning’s Wyoming run (2000–2002)
6th-best Hawai'i tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Greg McMackin (2008–2011) · succeeded by Chris Naeole (2015).
System Shift, on arrival
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 3-9 | 1-11 | 4-9 | 2-7 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #84 | #78 | #99 | #121 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | 47.6 | 54.8 | 47.2 | 49.8 | |
| Coordinators | |||||
| OC | — | — | — | Don Bailey | |
| DC | — | — | Kevin Clune | Tom Mason | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | 4 | 31 | 29 | 16 | |
| Defense | 86 | 29 | 25 | 23 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | 48.0 | 50.0 | 41.9 | 41.4 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 40.3 | 46.5 | 33.0 | 35.5 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 41.2 | 43.2 | 26.2 | 26.9 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Underperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Offense vs. talent
-26.6 pts
#194 of 208 · bottom quarter
Defense vs. talent
-20.5 pts
#180 of 208 · bottom quarter
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Grows Running back from high school
100%
#196 of 208 stints
1 NFL Draft pick: Joey Iosefa (2015)
−11.5
10-36
2008–2011
Greg McMackin Steady
Greg McMackin slid Hawai'i from National Program III to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
Averaged a 63% pass rate — among the most pass-heavy stretches in FBS since 2004
−6.0 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 30% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Tyrone Willingham’s Notre Dame run (2002–2004)
3rd-best Hawai'i tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed June Jones (1999–2007) · succeeded by Norm Chow (2012–2015).
System Shift, on departure
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 7-7 | 6-7 | 10-4 | 6-7 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | — | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #73 | #78 | #80 | #94 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | 54.3 | 66.1 | 66.7 | 66.5 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | 63 | 78 | 94 | 48 | |
| Defense | 70 | 6 | 65 | 40 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | 54.1 | 67.9 | 68.9 | 64.8 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 44.3 | 57.6 | 61.2 | 54.4 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 20.0 | 27.3 | 31.2 | 31.2 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Grows Tackle from high school
100%
#198 of 223 stints
Postseason detail2008: Lost to Notre Dame 21-49 Bowl2010: Lost to Tulsa 35-62 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
7 NFL Draft picks: David Veikune (2009), Ryan Mouton (2009), Jake Ingram (2009), Alexander Green (2011), Gregory Salas (2011), Kealoha Pilares (2011), Aaron Brown (2012)
−6.0
29-25
1999–2007
June Jones Builder
June Jones raised the Rainbow Warriors from Regional Program IV to National Program III.
Averaged a 69% pass rate — among the most pass-heavy stretches in FBS since 2004
+16.9 pts over 9 seasons · top 7% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Rocky Long’s San Diego State run (2011–2019)
1st-best Hawai'i tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Fred Vonappen (1996–1998) · succeeded by Greg McMackin (2008–2011).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||
| Record | 9-4 | 3-9 | 9-3 | 10-4 | 9-5 | 8-5 | 5-7 | 11-3 | 12-1 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | — | — | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | — | W bowl | L bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | #79 | #72 | #114 | #65 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | 70.7 | 67.4 | 66.6 | 70.4 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | 80 | 79 | 97 | 96 | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 21 | 8 | 88 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | 68.2 | 72.5 | 68.7 | 74.6 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | 60.7 | 74.5 | 66.7 | 55.1 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | 38.5 | 43.8 | 41.9 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Grows Running back from high school
100%
#196 of 208 stints
Postseason detail1999: Beat Oregon State 23-17 Bowl2002: Lost to Tulane 28-36 Bowl2003: Beat Houston 54-48 Bowl2004: Beat UAB 59-40 Bowl2006: Beat Arizona State 41-24 Bowl2007: Lost to Georgia 10-41 Bowl
17 NFL Draft picks: Adrian Klemm (2000), Jeff Ulbrich (2000), Kaulana Noa (2000), Kynan Forney (2001), Ashley Lelie (2002), Pisa Tinoisamoa (2003), Vince Manuwai (2003), Wayne Hunter (2003) + 9 more
+16.9
76-41
1996–1998
Fred Vonappen Steady≈
Fred Vonappen slid Hawai'i from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
−14.5 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 3% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Bill Callahan’s Nebraska run (2004–2007)
7th-best Hawai'i tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Bob Wagner (1987–1995) · succeeded by June Jones (1999–2007).
−14.5
5-31
1987–1995
Bob Wagner Steady
Bob Wagner moved the Rainbow Warriors from Regional Program I to National Program III in 9 seasons.
+3.7 pts over 9 seasons · top 42% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Jim Colletto’s Purdue run (1991–1996)
2nd-best Hawai'i tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Dick Tomey (1977–1986) · succeeded by Fred Vonappen (1996–1998).
| Season | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||
| Record | 5-7 | 9-3 | 9-3-1 | 7-5 | 4-7-1 | 11-2 | 6-6 | 3-8-1 | 4-8 | |
| Postseason | — | — | L bowl | — | — | W bowl | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1989: Lost to Michigan State 13-33 Bowl1992: Beat Illinois 27-17 Bowl
4 NFL Draft picks: Leo Goeas (1990), Jeff Sydner (1992), Jason Elam (1993), Taase Faumui (1994)
+3.7
58-49-3
1977–1986
Dick Tomey Steady
Dick Tomey moved the Rainbow Warriors from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 10 seasons.
+8.6 pts over 10 seasons · bottom 36% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Tom O'Brien’s Boston College run (1997–2006)
4th-best Hawai'i tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Larry Price (1974–1976) · succeeded by Bob Wagner (1987–1995).
11 NFL Draft picks: Gary Allen (1982), David Toloumu (1982), Anthony Edgar (1983), Bernard Carvalho (1984), Raphel Cherry (1985), Rich Miano (1985), Mike Akiu (1985), Walter Murray (1986) + 3 more
+8.6
63-46-3
1974–1976
Larry Price Steady
Larry Price held Hawai'i at Regional Program II for 3 seasons.
5th-best Hawai'i tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Dave Holmes (1971) · succeeded by Dick Tomey (1977–1986).
2 NFL Draft picks: John Woodcock (1976), Dan Audick (1977)
Regional Program II
15-18
1971
Dave Holmes Short tenure
7-4