Todd Graham Is No Longer Head Coach Todd Graham.

Head coach Todd Graham was hired to bring the Rainbow Warriors of Hawaii to bowl games and to win championships. Under his leadership Hawaii would have an 11-11 record and would be invited to two bowl games, playing in one of them as the pandemic and recent events would prevent them from playing in the second. However Hawaii would also see controversy under his reign as head coach. Controversy that would see senators not only speak out on the football program but investigate it.

On Friday January 14, 2022 after talking with athletics director for the University of Hawaii, Coach Todd Graham stepped down from the football program. This came a week after an on going investigation by the Hawaii state Senate in which there was severe testimony against Graham, the staff, and the program. By quitting Graham walks away from approximately one and a half million dollars give or take but also saves his name unless the state Senate decides to go public with the findings.

Graham released a statement upon showing himself the door. In his escape out of town Graham said, "I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as the Head Football Coach at the University of Hawaiʻi. 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 states that he has laid a strong foundation for the future of the program. A foundation that saw many good players leave the program including the starting quarterback, starting running back, and one of if not the top defender on the team. Overall 19 players in total left the program, several before the season was even completed. That made the Warriors short on players with the number on covid protocols and thus they could not compete in the bowl game in December.

It is unclear what the findings of the investigation is but the investigation must be seen to it's completion. Hawaii now begins it's search for their next head coach. Hopefully it will be someone with NFL experience that can get more alumni into the pros and bring in more money for the university. The desire is that Graham's successor have ties to the university. I am okay if the coach does not come from pride rock as long as they can accept the culture from the islands.  Maybe someone like former LSU running backs coach Kevin Faulk.

I think the more important questions that needs be asked now is how much damage did the Todd Graham era do to the program and what will it take to fix it. Those are answers that will come with the results of the Senate investigation. It's sad that players had to go public but it's doubtful this situation would've been handled if they hadn't. It's time to come together. 

Mālama ka 'ohana i ka pōhaku