Hawaii football players allege mistreatment by Tod

New allegations against Hawaii coach Todd Graham surfaced last week surrounding the second-year coach's mistreatment of players and coaches.The program culture under Graham came under scrutiny on Nov. 31 after former Hawaii player Darryl McBride Jr. hosted a public Twitter Spaces event, in which several former and current players discu sed the program. That event followed news earlier in the day that starting quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, a product of nearby Saint Louis School, was entering the transfer portal.The Twitter discu sion chronicled what it's like playing for Graham and the culture he has instilled in the program. According Drew Smyly Jersey to a citing players who spoke on the condition of anonymity Graham's first two seasons in Manoa have been anything but smooth sailing.MORE: Throughout his FBS head coaching tenure, which also includes stops at Rice, Tulsa, Pitt and Arizona State, Graham has consistently been branded a "disciplinarian." But players who spoke to SFGATE described Graham's behavior and attitude as going too far, with one player alleging "verbal abuse."I would go as far to say its verbal abuse the way he talks to guys. Its personal," the player told SFGATE. "Its not like, Oh, you need to be faster. Hes calling guys usele s, jacka s and a sack of st.SFGATE reports Graham has also reportedly berated and insulted players with regularity, reportedly calling them such names as "dogst," among other terms. Multiple players also said Graham threatens players who speak out against him or question him by taking away playing time.MORE: Me and a lot of others can truthfully say Graham has killed our love and pa sion Javier Baez Jersey for football, one player told SFGATE.The players on the team also alleged power imbalance and rampant favoritism from Graham in favor of first-team Mark Grace Jersey players. One player said he experienced depre sion and considered quitting football after his treatment during the 2020 season, one in which he was not a regular contributor. He claimed more significant contributions to the team by him in 2021 directly resulted in improved treatment by Graham."Those who (the coaching staff) dont care for get st on, he said.SFGATE noted that players routinely defended the a sistant coaches, whom they described as stuck between a rock and a hard place for fear of reprisal if they spoke out against Graham. The publication noted that not one player defended Graham, whom players say routinely talks about leaving for the NFL if he gets the chance."He basically kept telling us hes using us as a stepping stone, one player said.MORE: The Rainbow Warriors are 6-7 this year and 11-11 in Graham's first two seasons as head coach. They'll play in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24 as a result of a record-42nd NCAA-sanctioned bowl this season.Said one player: I see why he wants the bowl game so bad. It aint for the seniors. It aint for Hawaii. Its for his reputation and the extra bowl game check. (Graham will receive a $20,000 bonus Billy Williams Jersey for participating in the Hawaii Bowl and $40,000 if the Warriors win the game.Neither Graham nor Hawaii athletic director David Matlin responded to SFGATE's requests for comments. Reports also indicate Graham didn't addre s the Twitter Spaces event and brushed off any questions of culture i sues when asked several times during both a radio spot and a media availability.MORE: I dont read Twitter. I dont do those things. I can tell you that my deal is focusing on being positive. . We know we're doing things the right way.Graham currently makes $800,000 a year in base salary through 2024. He's owed a $425,000 buyout for every year remaining on his contract meaning, if he's fired this season, the school owes him $1.275 million. According to SFGATE, Hawaii has never spent more than $600,000 to buy out a coach Yu Darvish Jersey .Graham's future remains uncertain, but many of the team's nine transfers (the most of any team in the Mountain West, ) said they don't intend to return as long as Graham is employed at Hawaii.