8/5/2005 - Football
Hawaii to host Navy in 2009

Former UH coach Johnson looks forward to return
Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

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Hawaii opens its 2009 football season with a home game against Navy.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier said the Warriors have an agreement to
host the Midshipmen on Sept. 5 at Aloha Stadium, and a contract will be
signed soon.

Navy coach Paul Johnson said he hopes to still be at his current job four
years from now.

>=I havent thought that far ahead, but I dont have any other plans,<>
Johnson said in a telephone interview today.

Johnson was named the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year after last season, in
which Navy went 10-2, including a 34-19 victory over New Mexico in the
Emerald Bowl.

Johnson was Hawaii offensive coordinator from 1987 to 1994 under Bob Wagner.
Former UH players Ken Niumatalolo and Ivin Jasper are on Johnson's Navy
staff.

UH beat Navy 48-41 in 1999 at Aloha Stadium in the only football meeting
between the schools.

>=I think playing Hawaii is a great game for us,<= johnson="" said.="">=We have a
lot of naval people there, so its a great place for us to play.<>

Hawaiis run-and-shoot passing offense has consistently ranked among the
nations top aerial attacks in recent years, while Johnsons spread option
ground attack (which he also ran at UH) is one of the most productive
rushing schemes.

>=It will be a fun game,<= johnson="">

UH coach June Jones said he wants to schedule an academy team every season
because of the military presence in Hawaii, and to give an opportunity for
cadets and midshipmen to play here. UH beat Army 59-28 in 2003 and topped
Air Force 52-30 in 2001.

Hawaii recently signed an agreement to open its 2008 season at Florida. The
Warriors still have two nonconference openings on their 2006 schedule.
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