Oshiro Swept Up In Varsity Play

Del.icio.us

As the official starting date for high school football play approaches, first-year Kalani High School coach Glenn Oshiro is already in mid-season form - at least in the pace of things.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far - a very busy time,” said Oshiro, whose team reports for fall camp on July 31. “But it’s exciting. We have a lot of student athletes who enjoy the game, and they’re looking forward to learning a new system and seeing it put into action.

“I haven’t had a chance to sit down and reflect on it. Right now, I’m just trying to stay on top of things,” he said, adding “I want to thank my girlfriend for being so understanding and supportive.”

Although in his first year as a varsity head coach, Oshiro is well-known in football circles, having posted coaching stops as an assistant at Mid-Pacific, Pac-Five, Iolani, Damien, McKinley and Moanalua since breaking into the ranks in 1980. He spent the last three seasons as the head intermediate coach at Mid-Pac. During his own high school days, he played for Pac-Five in the mid-1970s under Don Botelho, whom he considers one of his main mentors.

“He shaped my enthusiasm for the game when I was playing,” Oshiro said. “And working for Wendell Look (at Iolani) inspired me all the more to become a head coach, watching the way he related to his players.

“I love the excitement of being on the field and working with student-athletes. I have a love for the game.”

Revitalizing the Kalani Falcons program is Oshiro’s new challenge. His eight-member assistant coaching staff is also new to the Kahala campus.

“We have knowledgeable assistants who have the same passion for the game as I do,” said Oshiro, whose team opens its season against Kalaheo on the weekend of Aug. 18.“Our philosophy is that we’ll go out and do the best that we can and rally around working hard and not giving up.

“Hopefully, things will work out and we’ll accomplish our goals.”

The Falcons were 0-7 last year, although they were more competitive than their won-loss record would indicate.

“We reviewed a few of their games on film, and they looked on the verge of winning a few more games (than they did),” Oshiro said. “The kids really worked hard last year and we hope to have that mentality back. Spring ball gave us more insight to the type of talent that we’ll be working with.”

Kalani recently completed its spring football practices. Under Oahu Interscholastic Association guidelines, the Falcons were allotted a 14-day period in which they could conduct 10 practices. The school turned out 45 student-athletes for the two-week drills, although several are missing at present during summer conditioning because they are involved with other activities.

Oshiro doesn’t mind that several of his players are involved in multiple sports, and points to the baseball program, which has flourished in recent years under Shannon Hirai, for inspiration.

“If they’re staying in shape, that’s good for us,” Oshiro said. “We want them to enjoy the summer and play those other sports - it keeps them busy. We’ll have them back when football begins. Having (the baseball program doing well) can only help us.

“We have a good feeling for those guys.”