Former Allen trainer Todd Graham faces questions and allegations of verbal abuse for culture created in Hawaii

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Hawaii head coach Todd Graham, a native of the Dallas area and former Allen High School head coach, was charged and questioned in a Senate hearing on Friday about the culture he has created in two years as leader of the Rainbow Warriors.

Numerous gamers, family members, and alumni have testified before the Hawaii State Senate and Higher Education Ways and Means Committees that KITV-TV described as emotional. The meeting comes after a wave of transfers outside the program.

As of November 8, 16 players from Hawaii have entered the transfer portal, including Graham’s youngest son, Michael.

This program was built with a special culture that you can’t find anywhere else, former Hawaii quarterback Justin Uahinui said, according to KITV. Graham killed that culture, that passion and that drive in so many players like me.

A common thread on what’s going on with Todd Graham and his program in Hawaii, where a group of former high school players from Texas play.

Graham is a native of Mesquite and former head coach of Allen. He has also coached in Rice, Tulsa, Pitt and Arizona State. https://t.co/5CKjbXcv0a

– Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) January 8, 2022

Former Hawaii linebacker Leonard Lee called Graham the worst guy I’ve ever met in my life, according to KITV.

At the Senate meeting, Graham denied the allegations of verbal abuse and defended his agenda.

I actually went in and tried to sort out some of the language issues, which obviously weren’t perfect, Graham said, according to KITV. I don’t think we have a toxic environment in our locker room. I am 100% responsible for what goes on in our program.

Graham, a former high school player and coach from Texas, has a large contingent of Texas natives on his roster. The 2021 list had 14. Two other Texas natives, former Plano running back Tylan Hines (Air Force) and former Plano Prestonwood security Virdel Edwards (state of Iowa), are expected to transfer to Hawaii. .

The Senate meeting was called after a Twitter Spaces, a live audio broadcast that can be listened to and joined by anyone on the social media app provided a glimpse into Graham culture in Hawaii. Former and current players have spoken about it.

The common theme was that Todd Graham is not well liked by the team, other coaches and even support staff, according to Mountain West Conference Wire, which added that there were around 300 listeners in the audio forum of three hours.

Days later, an SF Gate article added more complaints about Graham, including examples of verbal abuse and threats to take playtime from anyone who questioned him.

I’ve played in a 1-11 squad, an anonymous player told SFGate, and I’ve never felt like this.

Graham has been a coach for a long time. The former North Mesquite defensive back began his coaching career as an assistant at Mesquite Poteet. Seven years later, he became the head coach of Allen, where he spent five seasons. He got his first head coaching job six years later at Rice in 2006. He then moved on to head coach at Tulsa and Arizona State.

Even amid the accusations and transfers, it looks like Graham’s job in Hawaii is safe for now.

According to KITV, Hawaii athletic director David Matlin was asked if the school would buy back the remaining three years of Grahams’ contract. Matlin said no.

Graham’s buyout, according to Sporting News, is worth more than $ 1.2 million.

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