What could be better than hiring a football assistant with nine years of head coaching experience?

Getting him to join the Hawai'i football team at the love-of-the-job rate.

"It's not about how much money you make," said Chris Tormey, who will become the Warriors' special teams coordinator. "It's the people you're working with, and your chances to be successful. ... I'm looking to being part of a very bright future at the University of Hawai'i."

Tormey was head coach at Idaho (1995-99) and Nevada (2000-03). The past five seasons, he was the linebackers coach at Washington.

Tormey acknowledged he is accepting a pay cut to join the Warriors. But he said he looks for three things in a job: location, a good employer and a chance to be successful.

"Hawai'i's a home run on all three counts," Tormey said.

He also said he wanted to be reunited with his college coach, UH head coach Greg McMackin.

"He coached me at the University of Idaho," Tormey said.

McMackin said: "He was an excellent player. He was the captain, and probably our best player on defense. We were talking the other day. I remembered he had an interception. I thought he ran it back, but he got tackled on the 1, against Montana State. I think a big offensive tackle chased him down.

"But I always knew he'd be a good coach," McMackin added. "You can really tell the guys who have a good personality and a great work ethic and are good people. You know they have the potential to be a good coach. He has all of those things."

Tormey succeeds Ikaika Malloe, who coached the special-team units and defensive tackles in 2008. Malloe is now Yale's defensive coordinator.

McMackin said Tormey will work with the safeties. Associate head coach Rich Miano is in charge of the defensive secondary.

Assistant head coach George Lumpkin will work with the defensive tackles. Dave Aranda is in charge of the defensive line.

"I'm really excited about our staff," McMackin said. "I really feel comfortable with our staff. They all care about our players. They're experienced, and they're excellent coaches."

McMackin said there were about 200 applicants for the recent opening.

Tormey, who has recruited in Hawai'i the past decade, said he welcomes this opportunity. Tormey had successfully rebuilt a Nevada program that had fallen severely.

Now, Tormey said: "I'm coming to work for a bowl team. The winning work ethic has been established. They've got a lot of good, young talent at the University of Hawai'i."

Tormey said he expects to recruit in Hawai'i, Washington and California.

His first day as UH coach is March 2.

Spring practice opens March 30.

Tormey and wife, Kellie, have two daughters. One attends Washington, the other is at Yale.

McMackin said he has kept track of Tormey's post-player career.

"We've never coached together," McMackin said. "We've always remained friends. I've always followed him. We've been in the same football family, as you would say. He's always been successful. I'm fortunate to have Chris and his family join us."

IT'S COMBINE TIME

Former Warriors Ryan Mouton and David Veikune will participate in the National Football League Scouting Combine today in Indianapolis.

Both will undergo physical examinations and participate in interviews. They also will take the Wonderlik examination.

Veikune and the other defensive ends will run the 40-yard dash Sunday. Mouton, a cornerback, will run on Tuesday.

GETTING UP TO SPEED

Hawai'i Speed and Quickness will have sessions tomorrow and Sunday in UH's Klum Gym.

The fee is $10 per session, which includes instruction in plyometrics and resistance training. Sessions are from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

Student-athletes serve as instructors.

For information, call 949-5997.

Details also are available at www.hawaiispeedandquickness.com.

Visit Tsai's blog at http://warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com.