After days of churning around in the rumor mill, the announcement has been made: Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow will be the next coach at Hawaii, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
UH athletic director Jim Donovan has been authorized to negotiate a contract with Chow. A press conference announcing Chow as head coach is planned for Thursday.
Chow was one of over 30 applicants for the Hawaii job left open following the “retirement” of Greg McMackin. A Hawaii native, Chow emerged as the top choice after a meeting Monday night, a source familiar with the hiring process told the Advertiser.
Other candidates for the job included Oregon State defensive coordinator Mark Banker, associate Hawaii head coach Rich Miano and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.
The move, of course, becomes juicier with the knowledge that Hawaii will meet USC in 2012-13. You can bet there will be more than a few eyes on the pregame meet-and-greet between Chow and Lane Kiffin, who succeeded Chow as offensive coordinator with the Trojans.
We finally get to see if Chow has the personality to be a Division 1 Head Coach (which has been the slam on him for years). As a USC fan, I wish him the best and hope he is successful (just not against the Trojans)
Ditto, about time he got his shot !! Let’s see what Chow can do. Heck, he did train Sarkisian and Kiffen and they both are doing alright……..
When ND was looking for a coach, Norm Chow was my first choice, then Skip Holtz, what I got was door #3! anyways I think Coach Chow will be a great head Coach, but Hawaii? I heard there’s a eastern team looking for a coach?
What happened to Dwane Aquina? I heard he applied and was a front runner.
Akina applied for and was interviewed but did anyone expect Hawaii to hire a defensive-minded coach?
As a Longhorn alum, it’s nice UT gets to keep the best DB coach in college football.
Norm’s offensive coaching has failed at three straight stopswith the Titans, UCLA, and Utah. The last time he had any success was with that stacked USC team.
Not an impressive hire.
And Duane Akina is a big flake so not surprising he didn’t get it.
lottsmissingfinger says:Dec 20, 2011 4:36 PM
Akina applied for and was interviewed but did anyone expect Hawaii to hire a defensive-minded coach?
As a Longhorn alum, it’s nice UT gets to keep the best DB coach in college football
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Just for the record….the previous head coach of the Warriors,Greg Mcmackin was a defensive minded coach !!!
Its about time Norm get a Head Coaching job. Best to you in Hawaii.
I’m sure Utah is glad to finally be rid of him. Maybe he’ll be a better head coach than he was an offensive coordinator.
Is he fiery enough to be a head coach, though? Seems kind of conservative and stuffy. You’ve got to have an intensity to be a good head coach. Duane Akina has that kind of enthusiasm. I think Hawaii made a big mistake, but I’m glad we get to keep the best DB coach in the game.
@ centexhorn: I can’t speak for all Utah fans, but I’m glad he’s gone. I considered him a bad hire from day one because Utah decided to go away from what was successful and got them to invited to the Pac-12 (spread offense/modified spread) and go to what has failed in the past.
Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.