Coaching Carousel Back In Motion After Todd Graham Resigns Amid Controversy

January 15, 2022 by Staff

Hawaii became a late rider, and the 29th overall, on the coaching carousel after Todd Graham resigned on Friday, January 14, amid allegations that included verbal abuse, incompetence and favoritism, from former and current players.

Details were presented at a Hawaii state senate hearing earlier on Friday. A large number of players on the 2021 roster - 19 in all - have entered the transfer portal since November. The group included the teams' staring QB, as well as its leading rusher. Regardless, the administration had stood by Graham and the coach, in a statement, said he was not forced out but was stepping aside for the good of the program and his own health.

A December 6 article on SFGate.com brought the allegations to light.

Hawaii was 6-7 in 2021 and had secured an invitation to play Memphis in the Hawaii Bowl, but that game was canceled, reportedly due to Covid issues in the Hawaii program. However, the SGGate.com article alleged uts invetsigation concluded that a "not insignificant contingent of players" had no desire to play another game for Graham.

As one current player told SFGATE, “A lot of players want him fired, especially the starters.”

Graham was 11-11 over-all in his two seasons leading the program. Over-all, he is 106-72 in a career that has also seen stints at (in order) Rice (1 season) Tulsa (4), Pittsburgh (1) and Arizona (6). Linebackers coach Jacob Yoro was named the interim coach.

SEE: Coaching Changes