What Is 2013 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football

Overview

The 2013 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaii at Manoa during the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS season. Competing as an independent following the dissolution of football sponsorship by the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) after 2012, the team struggled to find consistency under head coach Norm Chow.

Despite high hopes entering the season, the Warriors posted a disappointing 3–10 record, marking their worst performance since 2004. The offense showed flashes of potential but was hampered by turnovers and inconsistency, while the defense ranked near the bottom nationally in several key categories.

• Record: The team finished with a 3–10 overall record, including a 2–5 mark in home games at Aloha Stadium.
• Head coach:Norm Chow, in his second year, led the team but faced increasing scrutiny due to the poor win-loss record.
• Conference status: Hawaii competed as an FBS independent after the WAC dropped football following the 2012 season.
• Offensive leader: Quarterback Sean Schroeder started nine games, throwing for 1,871 yards and 10 touchdowns with 13 interceptions.
• Wins: Victories came against UC Davis (34–17), New Mexico State (38–30), and Western Illinois (34–17).

How It Works

The structure and performance of the 2013 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team reflected broader challenges in transitioning to independent status and implementing a new coaching system. Norm Chow’s offensive philosophy emphasized a pro-style attack, but execution issues and personnel limitations hindered progress.

• Pro-Style Offense:The team ran a traditional pro-style offense, emphasizing balanced play-calling, but averaged only 20.5 points per game.
• Quarterback Rotation:Sean Schroeder and Taylor Graham split time, with Schroeder starting nine games and Graham three, due to injuries and performance.
• Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed 35.8 points per game, ranking 118th out of 125 FBS teams in points allowed.
• Special Teams: Kicker Will Lautzenheiser made 12 of 17 field goals, providing one of the few consistent elements of the team.
• Recruiting Challenges: As an independent, Hawaii faced reduced national exposure, impacting its ability to attract top-tier talent.
• Home Field: The Warriors played all home games at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, averaging 30,048 fans per game.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2013 season can be better understood by comparing key statistical categories to previous years and conference averages.

The data shows a decline in offensive production and a sharp increase in defensive vulnerability compared to 2012. While the team improved slightly in win total from the previous year, the gap between Hawaii and the national average widened in nearly every statistical category, highlighting systemic issues.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a pivotal moment in Hawaii football history, underscoring the challenges of independence and raising questions about long-term sustainability. It ultimately led to changes in coaching and strategic direction in the years that followed.

• Coaching instability: The poor results in 2013 increased pressure on Norm Chow, who was fired after the 2015 season.
• Independence struggles: Without a conference, Hawaii faced difficulty scheduling quality opponents and securing bowl eligibility.
• Financial impact: Lower attendance and fewer TV appearances contributed to reduced revenue for the athletic department.
• Recruiting setbacks: The team’s performance and lack of conference affiliation made it harder to attract elite recruits.
• Program reputation: The losing record damaged Hawaii’s national profile, which had been strong during the 2007 BCS era under June Jones.
• Future realignment: The struggles contributed to Hawaii eventually joining the Mountain West Conference in 2012 for football, though the transition took time to stabilize.

Ultimately, the 2013 season served as a cautionary chapter in Hawaii football, emphasizing the importance of conference alignment, coaching continuity, and competitive balance at the FBS level.