Cal Lee

Cal Lee (born October 20, 1946) was the assistant head coach for the University of Hawaii football team.^[1] Lee was a successful high school football coach prior to joining the staff at the University of Hawaii in 2003.^[2]

High school coaching career

Known as one of the nation's most successful high school coaches, Lee led the St. Louis Crusaders to 14 Prep Bowl titles, 18 Interscholastic League of Honolulu championships, and the inaugural HHSAA State Championship in 1999. In his 21 seasons with the Crusaders, Lee compiled a 241-32-5 record. During his tenure as head coach at Saint Louis, Lee was instrumental in introducing the "Run and Shoot" offense to the state of Hawai'i.^[3]

Lee's success at Saint Louis also includes a 55-game win streak that spanned over six seasons (1985–90) and a 15-1-1 record against out-of-state teams. The two-time national coach of the year is the most prolific coach in the history of Hawai'i prep football. Lee's success as a coach trickled down to his players as well. He coached numerous players who went on to play at the Division 1 scholarship level, including all-time NCAA passing leader Timmy Chang^[4] and current NFL players Olin Kreutz, Dominic Raiola and Christian Fuamatu-Ma'afala. He resigned the head coaching position to become athletic director for the school in 2002, and left the school in 2003 to coach the Hawaii Islanders arena football team.^[5]

Before becoming the head coach at Saint Louis, Lee served as the defense coordinator for Kaiser High School from 1973–1979. In 1979, Kaiser won the Prep Bowl, which was the mythical state championship for Hawaii.^[3]

In January 2012, Lee was named the new defensive coordinator for the Kalani High School Falcons (OIA White). Lee's brother, Ron, is the current offensive coordinator of the Falcons.

Arena Football 2 coaching career

in 2003, Lee accepted the job as head coach of Hawaii's first Arena Football team, the Hawaiian Islanders of the af2. The Islanders secured a playoff berth and posted a 12-6 record in his first season. Lee would coach the team again in 2004 before the team eventually disbanded in the offseason.

College coaching career

Before becoming the linebackers coach for the University of Hawaii in 2003, Lee had previously been an assistant coach for his alma mater, Willamette University, where he had garnered All-American honors as a linebacker. Lee was the offensive line coach at Willamette during 1970. He returned in 1978 as the linebacker coach before heading back to Hawaii to coach prep football. In 2008, he became University of Hawai'i's defensive coordinator.

Lee again coached alongside his brother Ron, who served as the offensive coordinator and wide receiver coach for the University of Hawaii under Greg McMackin until his retirement in 2011.

References