Hawai’i defense to be more detail-oriented under new DC Dennis Thurman

They say the little things matter in life.

They’re also the difference in a football defense getting off the field or giving up the big play.

With new defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman joining the University of Hawai’i football coaching staff, attention to detail has been a major point of emphasis from day one of spring ball.

With 35 years of coaching and counting across the collegiate and NFL ranks, and an eight-year NFL career as a defensive back before that, Thurman has seen it all on the gridiron.

“There’s a big difference,” safety Peter Manuma said during Mountain West media days. “It’s great learning from him, his IQ, his level of the game and what he brings to the table for us.”

In 2023, the Rainbow Warriors allowed 32.2 points per game in 13 contests when they went 5-8 overall and 3-5 in conference play. They also allowed 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and only had seven interceptions on the season.

On the first day of spring ball, Thurman acknowledged to the media that there was work to be done.

“We’re young, we’re new to what we’re trying to do,” he told reporters in late January. “For the most part the guys are locked in, they’re paying attention. It’s just the small details. It’s the details to assignment. It’s knowing our assignment. It’s running to the football. It’s getting there with a purpose.”

Thurman also said that he sees the defense’s desire to get better.

“They’re on point as far as that’s concerned. They’re easy to coach as far as their enthusiasm, their want to, their desire, wanting to be good, wanting to do things right, they’re on point. The thing is, that doesn’t win us football games.

“What wins football games is focus, discipline, courage, understanding … which is communication. When we get on the same page and all of our guys are doing what they’re supposed to do, we’re going to be hard to beat.”

Cornerback Cam Stone noticed early on that coach Thurman is attentive to even minor details when asked earlier this year when asked what was different with his new DC.

“Just how much he follows us and pays attention to every little thing,” said Stone, who is one of six returning starters on the defensive side of the ball. “It might be a good rep, (but) he’ll point something out. As little as it may be, it makes a difference, and just seeing that he cares and he wants us to work on these little things, it’s really big.”

During Mountain West media days, Manuma delved into deeper topics about the defense and coach Thurman.

“I feel like it’s complex and simple in a way,” said Manuma. “For us, it allows us to play more freely. It’s fun. I love flying around if you couldn’t tell, I just run around … but this defense allows us to do that. It’s great.”

Manuma added that they watched NFL clips of the new defense during the installation period. Thurman held DC titles for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, and previously served on Deion Sanders’ staff on at Jackson State and Colorado.

“In the NFL, they don’t make things harder than it is. If you’re in Cover 4 (defense), you’re in Cover 4, but they tweak things where you can play it a certain way where you would be in the right spot.”

The freedom to make plays in Thurman’s defense comes from the ability to read and predict what the opposing offense is going to do.

“There’s like little details that he tells us, how to play certain thing, when a person is giving away their route based off how they align. It’s those little things that we’re really taking in,” Manuma said.

Training camp for the Rainbow Warriors begin on Wednesday as they get ready for their season opener against Delaware State on Aug. 24.