Synopsis
Getting the Edge: Hawaii Football, written by former University of Hawaii head football coach Bob Wagner and published in 1993, provides an insider’s look into the evolution and rise of the UH Rainbow Warrior football program. Drawing from his tenure as an assistant coach starting in 1977 through his time as head coach starting in 1987, Wagner chronicles the strategies, administrative hurdles, and cultural dynamics involved in building a competitive Division I college football program on an island state.
The book focuses heavily on the landmark 1992 season, where Wagner led Hawaii to its first Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship, a historic victory in the Holiday Bowl, and a top-20 national ranking. Beyond game-by-game reflections, Wagner discusses coaching philosophy, player recruitment in a unique geographic environment, and the tactical "edges" necessary to overcome logistical challenges, long-distance travel demands, and power-conference opponents.
Through personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes accounts, the narrative serves as both a memoir of Wagner's coaching career and a historical record of a pivotal era in Hawaii sports history. It highlights key victories—such as iconic wins over rival Brigham Young University—while emphasizing team unity, discipline, and the pride of representing the state of Hawaii on a national stage.