If anyone is an expert on both Arizona and Hawaii, its former coach Dick Tomey.
He’s the winningest coach in Arizona Football history. And, when he left Hawaii, he was the Rainbow Warriors winningest coach, although that has since been eclipsed by June Jones.
This Saturday, the two schools meet at University of Arizona Stadium.
Roaming the sidelines will be Tomey’s son-in law, Mayur Chaudhari, who currently coaches the Rainbow Warriors special teams unit
"I've got blood relatives working for Hawaii,” said Tomey.
"So, would I love to see Hawaii win. I know they are a big underdog, and I'd love to see that for their program. But, Rich Rodriguez been wonderful to me, so it's a hard thing.”
Tomey coached Hawaii to a 63-46-3 record from 1977 to 1986. He said he made just $30,000 in salary during his first season at Hawaii. Tomey then coached the Wildcats to a 95-64-4 record from 1987 to 2000.
Tomey’s best year in the desert was in 1998, in which the Wildcats went 12-1, culminating in a Holiday Bowl win.
He was asked if the University of Arizona program can get back to that level.
“They were close a couple of years ago,” said Tomey, referring to the Wildcats 2014 Fiesta Bowl appearance
“I think Rich Rodriguez has done a tremendous job. I don't know. I go watch practice every once in a while. I went last week. I won't go this week. I think people would think I was a spy.”
Tomey, who recently bought a home in Tucson, coached Arizona to a 27-6 victory over Hawaii back in 1998. He also coached San Jose State from 2005 to 2009.
Arizona is 4-0, all-time, against Hawaii. The Rainbow Warrior are currently coached by Nick Rolovich, who’s in his first year in the program.
