What Is 2016 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS season, finishing with a 6–7 record under head coach Nick Rolovich. They played in the Mountain West Conference and lost the 2016 Hawaii Bowl to Middle Tennessee with a final score of 52–49.

Key Facts

The 2016 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors finished the season with a 6–7 overall record
Head coach Nick Rolovich led the team in his first full season at the helm
They played their home games at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu
The team competed in the Mountain West Conference's West Division
Hawaii lost the 2016 Hawaii Bowl 52–49 to Middle Tennessee

Overview

The 2016 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaii at Mānoa during the 2016 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. It was the program's 101st season of intercollegiate football and their 19th as a member of the Mountain West Conference.

Under the leadership of head coach Nick Rolovich, who was in his first full year after taking over midway through the 2015 season, the team aimed to rebuild momentum after a struggling previous campaign. The Rainbow Warriors played their home games at the historic Aloha Stadium in Halawa, a venue that has hosted the team since 1975.

Record: The team finished the 2016 season with a 6–7 overall record, marking a modest improvement from the previous year’s 6–7 mark under interim leadership.
Conference play: Competing in the Mountain West Conference’s West Division, Hawaii posted a 3–5 conference record, placing them near the bottom of their division.
Head coach: Nick Rolovich entered his first full season as head coach after being promoted from offensive coordinator following Norm Chow’s mid-season dismissal in 2015.
Home stadium: All home games were played at Aloha Stadium, a 50,000-seat multi-purpose venue located in Halawa, just outside Honolulu.
Bowl appearance: Despite a losing record, Hawaii qualified for the 2016 Hawaii Bowl due to NCAA’s bowl eligibility rules allowing teams with 6 wins if not enough 7-win teams are available.

How It Works

The 2016 season showcased Hawaii’s transition under new leadership and a renewed offensive strategy emphasizing the run-pass option (RPO) and fast-paced play. The team adapted to modern FBS trends while managing roster limitations and travel challenges inherent to their geographic isolation.

Offensive system:Rolovich implemented a high-tempo, pass-heavy offense inspired by his time under Sonny Lubick and Todd Graham, averaging over 400 yards per game.
Quarterback play:Quarterback Dru Brown emerged as a leader, throwing for 3,012 yards and 21 touchdowns, becoming the team’s offensive cornerstone.
Defensive challenges:The defense allowed 35.6 points per game, ranking among the bottom third nationally, due to inexperience and injuries in the secondary.
Travel demands:Hawaii faced the longest average travel distance of any FBS team, often flying over 2,500 miles for away games, impacting player recovery.
Roster composition:Over 60% of the roster featured local Hawaiian talent, continuing the tradition of developing in-state athletes despite limited recruiting reach.
Bowl game strategy:In the 2016 Hawaii Bowl, the Warriors pushed Middle Tennessee to the brink, losing 52–49 in a high-scoring shootout that highlighted their offensive potential.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2016 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors compared to other Mountain West teams and national averages across key performance metrics:

Statistic	Hawaii (2016)	Mountain West Avg	National Avg
Points Per Game	32.1	28.9	27.8
Points Allowed Per Game	35.6	26.4	23.1
Total Offense (Yards/Game)	423.5	378.2	380.4
Passing Yards/Game	278.3	232.1	223.6
Turnover Margin	-0.38	+0.12	+0.18

The data shows that while Hawaii’s offense outperformed both conference and national averages in scoring and passing, their defense struggled significantly, allowing the most points per game in the Mountain West. This imbalance defined their season and highlighted areas for future improvement under Rolovich’s rebuilding plan.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a transitional but pivotal year for Hawaii football, setting the foundation for future competitiveness in the Mountain West. Despite a losing record, the team showed flashes of offensive brilliance and resilience, particularly in their bowl appearance.

Program momentum:The season marked the beginning of a cultural shift under Nick Rolovich, who prioritized player development and modern offensive schemes.
Bowl eligibility:Qualifying for a bowl game with a 6–7 record helped maintain fan engagement and provided valuable postseason experience.
Player development:Quarterback Dru Brown’s breakout season signaled a bright future for the passing game and attracted national attention.
Recruiting impact:Improved performance boosted local recruiting, reinforcing Hawaii’s commitment to developing homegrown talent.
Geographic challenges:The season underscored the logistical hurdles faced by isolated programs, from travel costs to limited practice time.
Conference relevance:Hawaii remained competitive in the Mountain West, proving they could challenge top teams despite resource constraints.

Overall, the 2016 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors season was a step forward in a long-term rebuilding process. While not a championship contender, the team demonstrated growth and laid the groundwork for future success in one of college football’s most unique programs.