Up Close And Personal With Campbell Coach Kenessey

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With four conference championships and a state title to their credit in the last six years, expectations are understandably high for the Campbell High School football team as it continues preparing for the 2006 season. The Sabers recently finished up their summer work-outs and are in the middle of a “dead period” this week mandated by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, which prohibits contact between coaches and players. Veteran Campbell head football coach Tumoana Kenessey took time during the break to answer questions from MidWeek about the upcoming season.

The Sabers, who finished 6-1 (tied for first place) in the Oahu Interscholastic Association’s (Division II) White conference in 2005, officially begin fall camp on Monday. This season the team moves up to Division I, and will compete in with OIA’s Red West schools.

Who has had the biggest impact on you in your life?

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Keeping him first in my life helps me with my daily walk in life. He helps me keep my priorities straight.

Of all the things one can do with his time, what influenced you to take on the responsibilities of running a varsity program?

I was first offered a coaching job in my first year out of high school at Campbell by then head JV coach Nino Murry. Since then I’ve enjoyed coaching this game of football. The idea of taking a bunch of young kids and molding them into one unit and competing at the highest level is an awesome feeling. The sheer nature of the game is awesome. The key is to never quit, be the best you can be, and give 100 percent in all that you do.

Who would you consider your “mentor"in running your football program?

I couldn’t say that there was one mentor. I looked at all the great programs out there. I would read and ask questions from the coaches of these programs. I would ask my own coaching staff about their beliefs. I then would take the ideas that made sense and apply it into the program. However, if I was to pick somebody, it would be Larry Ginoza from Waianae, Duane Izumi from Campbell and Darren Hernandez of Kapolei. All of these coaches have had a positive impact on how to run a program.

What were your priorities as you entered spring practice and how do you feel about your progress as you head into fall camp on Monday?

The priorities were to find a core set of players who want to play football and are willing to sacrifice for their teammates. As far as progress is concerned, we are a long way from reaching our objective, but it is in sight.

Many coaches have complained about the newly installed “dead period,” which prevents coaches from having any contact with their players for a week preceding the official starting date of fall camp. What are your thoughts on this issue?

I understand why there are a lot of concerns out there about the “dead period,” and these concerns are legitimate. However, I believe many coaches would have wished that they were given a chance to voice their concern prior to this becoming a statewide standard. As it was, this “dead period"was mandated down to us in an effort to even out the playing field in terms of time. What the leagues should do is not allow programs to use sled bags, etc. during the off periods. There are schools not in the public school system who are allowed to use bags, etc.And this is an unfair advantage. However, the beauty of football is that everything is about fundamentals. The team that blocks and tackles the best will win.

You have had a lot of success since installing the Wing-T (four-back set) offense a few years ago. What are the advantages of running that scheme, and how do your current personnel fit the offense as you prepare for the 2006 season?

We always have the personnel to run this system. We love this offense; it’s a lot of fun. If you’re a running back, this is the system you want to be in. Preparing for the offense is a little hard, so I believe that helps us out a little.

Although one cannot openly recruit at the high school level, you are still free to sell your program to the community in an effort to attract kids.

What are the benefits of playing football at Campbell?

Our principal has really improved the educational standards at JCHS.

With the help of the teachers and staff, the school has made significant strides both locally and nationally. Kids can pride themselves on attending JCHS and know that they are receiving a quality education. Our community is growing, and that brings in more prospective talent.

As you enter your seventh season at Campbell,have you changed your approach in how you go about things?

No, I have not changed my approach. I still expect perfection, I still expect hard work, and I still expect our kids to never quit.

Please talk about the impact that winning the 2004 Division II state championship has had on your program.

The impact has been positive. The students, faculty and community can walk around with their heads high and have a sense of pride.

Who on the Campbell roster - perhaps a player the public is not familiar with yet - will have a big impact on the field in 2006?

I can’t put my finger on any one person. To be successful, it will take a team of individuals to put aside their differences and make sacrifices for each other.