The Timmy Chang Chronicles Pt. 2: An offseason of hard hitting excitement.
As the 2021 recruiting season comes to a rapid end, Timmy Chang and his staff race to reload a team stripped of talent with fresh firepower. His staff consists of impressive names for which UH fans recognize from Chang’s playing days. OC Ian Shoemaker brings a highly explosive offense from Eastern Washington which saw an incredible passing attack that consistently put up over 35 points a game. However, even though the game is won in the classroom, it still must be played on the field.
Already working with a roster full of talent, Chang needed to replace the likes of Nick Mardner, Darius Muasau, Justice Tavai, Chevan Corderio, Jared Smart, Calvin Turner Jr, Jonah Laulu and others. Having some of the talent brought in by Todd Graham, he needed more and landed the crown jewel of Hawaii football: Wynden Ho’ohuli. Ho’ohuli capped off his incredible high school career at Mililani with a 4 star ranking from 24/7 and being Hawaii’s highest recruit in the 2021 class. An offer from Scott Frost saw him leave Hawaii for Nebraska. After redshirting his freshman year, he returns to Hawaii with 4 years of eligibility remaining. The 6-3 linebacker fills a hole left by Justice Tavai and becomes the first number one Hawaii recruit to play for the Warriors since 2007 (via Christian Shimabuku). A huge addition for a Warriors defense which historically hasn’t had a consistent flow of 4/5 star recruits with 3+ years of eligibility, Ho’ohuli’s only issue is rust. Due to Hawaii’s rules on COVID and his redshirt year, Ho’ohuli hasn’t played an actual down of competitive football in 2 years. Fortunately that’s an easily fixable problem.
Chang has reenforced his defense with 3 star linebacker Malaki Te’o from California high school and national powerhouse Mater Dei. First cousins with Hawaii standout and NFL linebacker Manti Te’o, Malaki brings a solid football foundation to the islands along side his genetic ability.
To cap off a great couple of weeks, Chang has hired UH legend Chris Brown to return as linebackers/ defensive ends coach. Coaching in Hawaii at his Alma Mater Damien Memorial School, Brown has spent the last several years as a coach with the Las Vegas powerhouse, Bishop Gorman. Brown who was one of the most feared and hard hitting defenders of the early 2000s, carried on a legacy of hard nosed Hawaii defenders. Names like Brown, Leonard and Hyrum Peters, Issac Sopoaga, Ikaika Alama-Francis, David Veinuke, Nate Jackson, Pisa Tinoisamoa, Travis LaBoy, Solomon and Abe Elimimian and Ryan Mouton are just a few of the names that donned the Green H, playing aggressive defense. The work of these gentlemen led to the signings of Mana Silva, Corey Parades, Aaron Brown, Mike Edwards and others. Hawaii is building a culture and these defensive signings/ hires are a phenomenal start.
One piece is missing and his name is Khoury Bethley. For those who’ve read my other articles and tweets, his name does come up often. It’s because he’s special. He is the heart and soul of Hawaii, he loves the islands and he plays with a ferociousness that can not be matched. A 3-4 or 3-3-5 outside linebacker who can rush the passer and drop in coverage, he’s the most complete defender Hawaii has had in a long time. Perhaps only Jahlani Tavai could compare but he’s in the NFL now and the coaching staff needs to do everything they can to bring him home. Bethley handles his business, a great guy for the community and a leader in the locker room. I hope to see him again in green.
Hawaii still has a lot of work to do but getting Ho’ohuli was a surprising and incredible start. Chang continues to impress and I can not wait until the season starts. I hope to be home to watch Hawaii take on Vanderbilt but the excitement I hold can not be contained. Go Bows!
Side note: It seems like he’s walked the long road to redemption. No sin to great was committed, no man is unworthy of forgiveness. Like Jason Rivers before him, I think Kalakaua Timoteo should have an opportunity to return to UH. He was a standout at Mililani, he’s corrected his errors and his knowledge/ experience is an invaluable asset to a young program.
