Hawaii Warriors Football

Former Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan, who died in May 2021, was posthumously diagnosed with Stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, according to Brandon Sneed of Sports Illustrated.

CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by continuous blows to the head and is a major concern in the football community.  Sneed reported Brennan's family donated his brain to Boston University's CTE Center since the disease can only be diagnosed postmortem.

While multiple brain injuries, including one from a 2010 car crash, and lost tissue due to the nature of his death after a drug overdose made it more difficult to examine his brain, Dr. Ann McKee, the director of the CTE Center, was still able to diagnose CTE and shared the news with Brennan's family on Thursday, per Sneed. 

"It was enough to call CTE Stage I," McKee, who is a professor of neurology and pathology at Boston and the CTE Center director, said. "But it might've been greater had we been able to really assess other regions."

Sneed explained Brennan dealt with addiction following a 2010 car accident that eventually led to the end of his football career. While he found success at Tree House Recovery in Costa Mesa, Calif., he relapsed in May 2021 and was found unconscious and not breathing after a drug overdose.

He was in a coma and then died at the age of 37 from what the autopsy determined was the "combined toxic effects" of ethanol, methamphetamines, amphetamines and fentanyl.

Brennan was a prolific quarterback at Hawai'i and threw for an NCAA-record 58 touchdowns as a junior. He elected to return for his senior year and led the team to an undefeated regular season as a Heisman Trophy finalist—the school's first. He held 13 NCAA passing records at the end of his Rainbow Warriors career.

He was a sixth-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft but never appeared in a regular-season game at that level.

His family established the Colt Brennan Legacy Fund in Hawai'i after his death. The fund supports mental health causes and provides goods and services to people in Hawai'i.      

Former Hawai'i football star quarterback Timmy Chang is returning to the school to become its next head football coach:

Per Christian Shimabuku of KHON2, Chang got the job over a list of candidates that included former Hawai'i and Washington State offensive coordinator Brian Smith, Arizona defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen, UCLA associate coach Brian Norwood and BYU associate head coach Ed Lamb.

The news comes one day after Hawai'i announced that it could not come to terms on an agreement with former Rainbow Warriors head coach June Jones to return to the school:

Chang, who played high school ball at Honolulu's Saint Louis School, stayed in-state to star for the Rainbow Warriors. By the time he left after the 2004 season, Chang held numerous NCAA Division I FBS records, including 17,072 career passing yards.

After going undrafted by the NFL, Chang played professional football from 2005 to 2008. He participated in the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions' training camps and also played for NFL Europe's Rhein Fire and the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

His coaching career began at SMU in 2012, when he worked as a graduate assistant. Stops at Jackson State (2014-2015) and Emory & Henry (2016) as an offensive coordinator led to a five-year tenure at Nevada, where he worked with wide receivers and tight ends.

Chang most recently took a job as Colorado State's wide receivers coach, but he'll now be heading home to lead a program once helmed by Todd Graham.

The former Rainbow Warriors coach's two-year tenure ended with his resignation following a Hawai'i State Senate meeting that saw former players express concerns about Graham's leadership, including allegations of verbal abuse and mistreatment.

Now the Rainbow Warriors enter a new era under Chang, whose first game leading the program will be at home against Vanderbilt on Aug. 27.

University of Hawai'i head football coach Todd Graham announced his resignation Friday after two years leading the Rainbow Warriors program.

His decision comes just over a week after the Hawai'i State Senate held a meeting where former players raised concerns about the direction of the team under his leadership.

Graham released a statement about his departure, saying his family and health were the main reasons for the exit, not last week's Senate hearing:

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as the Head Football Coach at the University of Hawai'i for the past two seasons. After much prayer and reflection with my family, I have come to the conclusion that I will step away as head coach of the Rainbow Warriors, with a very heavy heart. I want to give my thanks and appreciation to the players, staff and coaches who persevered through all the challenges of 2020 and 2021. It wasn't easy, but they all fought the good fight and we did things the right way.

Our staff poured our hearts and souls into our players and truly made a difference in their lives. I could not have asked more of their commitment, work ethic and love for our players and football program. But it is clear to me that I must step away and do what is best for me and my family and my health. I honor, value and love all of my players and coaches and I wish you the very best. The University has not asked me to step down. I am leaving solely for my family and my health. We have laid a strong foundation for future success, and I will always be cheering you on!

Graham was hired in January 2020 after previous stints as the head coach at Rice, Tulsa, Pittsburgh and Arizona State. He compiled an 11-11 record across two seasons, highlighted by a win over Houston in the 2020 New Mexico Bowl.

UH athletic director David Matlin released a statement about the coach's resignation and the announcement noted the search for a new head coach will begin "immediately":

Todd informed me of his decision to resign. We enjoyed many successes under his leadership even as he faced pandemic conditions, the withdrawal of Aloha Stadium, and the prohibition of any fans for nearly all his time with us. Todd's tireless efforts as a coach have made a positive impact on many student-athletes. We have talked at length, and it is clear he has taken this action so that the football program can thrive moving forward.

Graham's status began to come into question in December when several players spoke out about his coaching tactics to Marc Delucchi of SFGate.

"I would go as far to say it's verbal abuse the way he talks to guys," one player said. "It's personal. It's not like, 'Oh, you need to be faster.' He's calling guys useless, jackass and a sack of s--t."

Another added: "Me and a lot of others can truthfully say Graham has killed our love and passion for football."

Those comments were followed by the State Senate meeting, where players who are no longer with the program provided a similar view of Graham's tactics, per Kyle Chinen of Hawaii News Now.

"I just don't see anything changing with this guy here," former defensive back Leonard Lee said. "He has a rejection of the culture and a lack of respect for players. I try to see the good in everybody and try to give people chances, but he's hands down the worst person I ever met in my life."

Despite the players' concerns, both Matlin and school president David Lassner expressed support during the meeting for Graham to remain the coach heading toward the 2022 season, per Chinen.

Instead, the program will now begin the process of trying to find Graham's replacement.

The Rainbow Warriors are scheduled to kick off the 2022 campaign Aug. 27 when they host Vanderbilt.

TMZ Sports has reported that former University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan died of an accidental drug overdose last May.

An autopsy and toxicology report revealed that Brennan had fentanyl, methamphetamine, amphetamine and ethanol in his system, per TMZ Sports, which noted that it's unclear whether a doctor prescribed any of those drugs or if the 37-year-old took them on his own.

Brennan was in his fifth month of receiving treatment at a medical rehab facility in Southern California when he was rushed to a Newport Beach hospital for a medical emergency. He died the following day, on May 11.

Brennan's father, Terry Brennan, spoke with Stephen Tsai of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser following his son's passing.

"He was doing so well, the spark was back in his eyes, and he was healthy and doing great, and it happened," the elder Brennan said. 

The former collegiate superstar broke 31 NCAA records during his time at Hawai'i. He also led the 2007 team to a 12-1 record and a Sugar Bowl appearance. Thanks to his efforts, Brennan also finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. 

The Colt Brennan Legacy Fund has been established in his honor.

Per its website, its purpose is to support University of Hawai‘i Athletics and youth sports "in addition to organizations that advocate and provide resources toward making a difference in the lives of individuals struggling with mental health and addiction issues."

Former Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, who set 31 NCAA records during his time at the school, died Monday.

He was 37.

Stephen Tsai of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser confirmed Brennan's death with his family. His father, Terry Brennan, said he was found unconscious at a rehabilitation center last week. He was in the fifth month of an in-patient rehabilitation program.

“He was doing so well, the spark was back in his eyes, and he was healthy and doing great, and it happened,” Terry Brennan said. "He had been doing really (well). These guys were no-nonsense guys. It just got away from him. I don’t know how else to explain it. Maybe one day I’ll be able to explain it better.”

Brennan, who served as Matt Leinart's backup at California's famed Mater Dei High School, attended the University of Colorado and Saddleback College before becoming one of the most iconic athletes in Hawaii history. Flourishing in June Jones' wide-open aerial attack, Brennan shattered nearly every Hawaii school record and set numerous NCAA marks for passing efficiency.

He threw for 5,549 yards and an NCAA-record 58 touchdowns in 2006, a record that stood for more than a decade before being broken by Joe Burrow in 2019. A year later, Brennan finished third behind Tim Tebow and Darren McFadden in the Heisman voting.

Brennan was also beloved at Hawaii for helping the school gain national attention and embracing the island culture. He dyed the islands into his hair and led the team to a Sugar Bowl appearance in 2007.

The now-Washington Football Team selected Brennan in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He lasted two seasons before being released in 2010 after suffering a season-ending hip injury the year prior. After a brief preseason stint with the Raiders, Brennan was released and didn't sign with an NFL team again. He never threw a pass in a regular-season game.

Following his football career, Brennan had several run-ins with the law that were alcohol-related. He was arrested twice for driving under the influence and was charged with trespassing while being "heavily intoxicated" after refusing to leave a hotel in Hawaii.

Terry Brennan said his son died surrounded by family and listening to Bob Marley.

Hawaii football head coach Todd Graham had 17 championship rings stolen in Tempe, Arizona, per comments his wife Penni made to TMZ Sports on Thursday.

Per Penni Graham, the couple is currently moving from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Hawaii. The ex-Arizona State coach gave the rings "to a close friend to help move the jewelry out to Honolulu."

However, someone stole the rings out of that friend's car early Tuesday afternoon a few blocks off the campus of Arizona State, where Graham coached from 2012-2017.

"So much went into earning those rings, especially his National Championship ring, as a coach in 1992," Penni Graham said. "Seventeen rings from years of blood, sweat and tears. He is devastated."

Graham was a defensive coordinator for East Central University from 1991-1993. ECU won the NAIA national championship during his final season.

The 55-year-old has been a head coach at Rice, Tulsa, Pitt, Arizona State and now Hawaii, amassing a 95-61 record along the way.

His teams have reached 10 bowl games, winning five.

Graham also piloted the 2010 Tulsa Golden Hurricane and 2013 and 2014 ASU teams to Top 25 Associated Press poll finishes with a high of No. 12 in 2014.

Graham and ASU parted ways in 2017, and he agreed to coach Hawaii in January of this year.

The University of Hawaii announced Tuesday that Todd Graham will be its next head football coach.

Stephen Tsai of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that Hawaii will hold a press conference Wednesday afternoon to officially introduce Graham.

Graham will replace Nick Rolovich, who left the Rainbow Warriors to lead Washington State. The WSU job opened up after Mike Leach left to coach Mississippi State.

The 55-year-old has been the head coach at Rice (2006), Tulsa (2007-2010), Pitt (2011) and Arizona State (2012-2017). He has a lifetime 95-61 record and has led his teams to 10 bowl games (five wins).

The new Rainbow Warriors coach is no stranger to success, having found some level of it in each of his four college football stops. Five of his teams won 10 of more games, and three of them finished in the Top 25 of the Associated Press poll.

Graham's best season arguably came in 2014, when he led ASU to a 10-3 record, a Sun Bowl win and a No. 12 finish in the AP rankings. He also took ASU to the 2013 Pac-12 title game.

However, his final three seasons in ASU did not fare as well, with the Sun Devils going a combined 18-20 under his watch. The two sides parted ways after the year.

Graham takes over a Hawaii team that went 10-5 last year, including a Hawaii Bowl win. The Rainbow Warriors made the Mountain West Conference championship game but lost to Boise State.

Hawaii's first game under Graham will be against a team its new coach knows well: the Arizona Wildcats. That one will take place on Saturday, Aug. 29.

A Honolulu Star-Advertiser photographer alleged Friday that University of Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich and a Hawaii staffer assaulted him at the end of last week's game against San Diego State.

In an article published by the newspaper, photographer Jamm Aquino said Rolovich shoved him and that another University of Hawaii employee pushed him to the ground.

Aquino said he was left with a concussion, bloody nose, sore shoulder and split upper lip as a result of the alleged assault. Aquino added that his camera lens was damaged as well.

Per the article, multiple people corroborated the allegation off the record. An Associated Press photographer was reportedly also shoved.

After San Diego State missed what would have been a game-tying field goal, Hawaii players rushed the field to celebrate, but there were still two seconds remaining on the clock, so they returned to the sidelines. Aquino had followed the players onto the field and was allegedly attacked on the way back to the sidelines.

The University of Hawaii released a statement regarding the incident, noting that while Rolovich regretted coming into contact with Aquino, the photographer violated protocol:

"We are disappointed that a Star-Advertiser photographer violated sideline protocol by entering the field of play Saturday night. Coach Rolovich acknowledges that he came into physical contact with the photographer as he was attempting to clear the field to avoid being penalized because, with two seconds left on the clock, the game was not over.

"Coach Rolovich regrets the situation occurred. He contacted the photographer late Saturday night and apologized. The university is addressing the situation with Coach Rolovich regarding the matter and will have no further comment."

Honolulu Star-Advertiser editor Frank Bridgewater also released a statement condemning Rolovich's alleged actions: "Our photographers are representing our readers and deserve to be treated as professionals. Swearing at and, worse, physically assaulting them, will not be tolerated. We will take whatever steps are needed to protect our photographers' rights and to ensure that those who abuse them are called out."

Hawaii went on to win the game against San Diego State 14-11. It will look to improve on its 8-4 record when it faces Army on Saturday before going on to face the No. 20 Boise State Broncos in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game next week.

Rolovich is 26-26 in four seasons as the Rainbow Warriors' head coach and has them bowl-eligible for the third time during that span.

The University of Hawaii announced Scheyenne Sanitoa, a linebacker for the Warriors' football team, died Thursday at the age of 21. 

"It's always heartbreaking to lose a member of our UH 'ohana, particularly when it's one of our young student-athletes," athletic director David Matlin said in a statement Friday. "Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, his teammates, and to all those who knew and loved him."

A cause of death was not immediately announced.

Sanitoa was set to become a redshirt junior for the Warriors this fall.

After playing three games in 2017, his involvement in the defense increased last year en route to 30 total tackles, two sacks and two passes defended across 12 appearances.

Sanitoa was a 2-star prospect when he committed to Hawaii as part of the 2016 recruiting class.

He was a native of American Samoa.