Coach Torres Reveals Best Red Raider Experience: The Kids
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usFormer Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz once observed of his first year, “the alumni wanted me to win 13 games even though we only played 13.”
Kahuku coach Reggie Torres could readily identify with those sentiments, given the seemingly all-consuming interest in Red Raider football. Now in his fourth year, he has settled in nicely and has his team in the post-season mix once again.
While his players took in their pregame meal last Friday morning - five hours before they were to play Castle in their OIA semifinal at Aloha Stadium - Torres took some time to answer questions from MidWeek.
What’s the best part of being the head football coach at Kahuku? The kids - having the opportunity to work with them and to get across our staff’s philosophy, that’s what it’s all about.
Coaching at Kahuku is perhaps not unlike being the head coach at Notre Dame. How do you handle criticism? When I first took over, it hit me pretty hard. It got to my family a little. For the most part, it doesn’t bother me. Everyone has an opinion, and that’s fine. All I care about is the players themselves. Their thoughts and opinions matter to me.
What is your earliest football-related memory? Inever played (organized football) until JV. I used to play at the elementary school with my friends.That was about it. Then in the sixth grade we moved to Punalu’u, and that’s all they did was play football. It was football or band.
Does coaching get easier or more difficult the longer you are on the job? It becomes habitual; you get into a routine. Once the program is set, you’re mostly tweaking things. We finally have the program clicking on all cylinders now as far as (assistant coaching) staff and our philosophy, but you still have to always look at tweaking it more.
Whom do you lean on for support during a long football season? My wife Lita. She’s a big help, and she’s one of our team moms. I could-n’t ask for more. She also makes my meals. The only time I ever cook is on Sunday mornings when the kids are home. I cook ‘em up a good breakfast.
When you have free time, how do you like to spend it? I love to fish and dive and get into the ocean, but I don’t get to much. This summer, I didn’t fish at all. My poles are collecting dust, and my spears are collecting rust.
When you’re wanting to go out to eat on the Windward side, where do you go? The sushi place in Kaneohe. We love it, but I don’t get out much because of my schedule.
Favorite sports movie? One movie I’ve seen over 10 times is The Replacements with Keanu Reeves. I like sports comedies, and those guys played the game because they loved it.
Who’s had the biggest impact on you? Besides my parents, coaches Lester Souza, Chuck Meade and my own coach, Clarence Lavarias. They were a big help to me in my deciding to be a coach. I also attribute my style and my beliefs to them.
What is your proudest moment? All have been associated with my kids’ accomplishments. Those were all shining moments for me.
(Reggie Torres Jr., a former standout wrestler and foot-ball player, recently earned his bachelor’s degree. Daughter Kapua was a state champion wrestler for the Red Raiders and recently completed work on a master’s degree. Youngest son Richard recently earned a football scholarship at University of Hawaii, where he is a starting defensive back.)
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