Brennan has blossomed in Hawaii

In January 2005, former University of Idaho football coach Nick Holt had two-year starting quarterback Michael Harrington returning and highly touted junior college transfer Steve Wichman already on campus.

But Holt targeted one more recruit: Colt Brennan.

“We talked to him,” said Holt, who left Idaho after the 2005 season to become defensive coordinator at USC. “We sure the heck looked at him and tried to get him to take a visit.”

Brennan said earlier this week there was some mutual interest.

“I had a coach in Colorado that was at Idaho and I had a friend, Keith Greer, who I played high school with (at Mater Dei) who was also at Idaho,” Brennan said. “There was definitely some interest for me to go to Idaho, but I remember I was trying to get to a place where they didn’t have a quarterback per se.”

That’s one of many reasons why Brennan, who has become one of the most prolific passers in NCAA history, will be on Hawaii’s sideline Saturday against the Vandals in the Kibbie Dome. The 24-year-old Brennan has taken an unusual, winding path to becoming a Heisman Trophy contender.

At Mater Dei, he backed up Matt Leinart before starting as a senior. After a year at a Massachusetts prep academy, Brennan walked on at Colorado, where a night of drinking would change his life.

A woman who lived near Brennan accused him of sexual assault, indecent exposure, criminal trespass and burglary. The timing essentially coincided with media reports that Colorado had been using sex parties to entice potential recruits.

Brennan was quickly dismissed from the team. He was later convicted of criminal trespass and burglary. He was sentenced to seven days in jail, community service and four years’ probation.

Brennan admits making some mistakes that night, but he’s also been adamant that he didn’t commit a crime. He said newspaper articles haven’t portrayed the facts correctly, which is why he doesn’t duck the topic during interviews.

“The only way to get people to listen is to attack it and try to get the truth out,” he said.

What seems beyond dispute is that Brennan appears to have made nothing but correct decisions after exiting Boulder. He played a season at Saddleback College, which restoked interest from some four-year schools, but many still shied away because of his past.

Holt said Idaho tried to enter the picture, but Brennan was all but Hawaii-bound.

“At the time, he had legal problems and they didn’t have a scholarship,” Holt said. “We tried. ‘Hey, we have one right now for you,’ but he wanted to go with June.”

June is Hawaii’s June Jones, whose resume includes coaching the likes of Warren Moon, Jeff George, Jim Kelly, Bobby Hebert and Chris Miller.

“He’s kind of a Jim Kelly leader, his arm strength and accuracy is a little like Chris Miller, Jeff George,” Jones said.

Brennan, who missed last week’s win over Charleston Southern to rest a sprained ankle but is expected to play Saturday, has 105 career touchdown passes, fifth on the NCAA all-time list. He’s 16 away from tying Ty Detmer’s record of 121. Brennan broke or tied 18 NCAA records in 2006. He’s completed 77.4 percent of his passes this season.

“He’s every bit the player that you see on film, but the one thing you do see in person is what his competitive character is,” said Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley, whose team lost to Hawaii 45-44 earlier this month. “We probably hit Colt as much as anybody has during the course of a game. He never got affected and continued to make plays. That’s a sign of a great quarterback.”

“He makes great decisions, and he knows exactly what the coverages are and where he needs to go with the ball,” Holt said. “On top of that, he has some mobility and can escape pressure and run.”

Brennan’s personal makeover has been notable, too. He has worn dreadlocks in honor of his receivers and most recently had a map of the Hawaiian Islands dyed into his hair. He reportedly learned Samoan to better relate to his offensive linemen, who are of Polynesian descent. His probation officer told the New York Times that Brennan speaks weekly to youths at schools and detention centers.

When Brennan announced his intentions to return for his senior season, the room filled with applause, forcing him to wipe tears from his eyes.

“I feel like Coach Jones and the University of Hawaii gave me an opportunity at a time when no one else would,” a choked-up Brennan said.

Brennan, ranked fifth among senior quarterbacks by ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper, consulted with Leinart before making his decision.

“The best thing he said is figure out what you want to do and once you make that decision don’t look back,” Brennan said.

Brennan has tried to do just that. His statistics are off the charts and he’s found a comfort zone in Hawaii. Saturday, he’ll be in Moscow. He has fond memories of his last visit, a 24-0 win over the Vandals in 2005.

“My first official game as a starter,” he said. “My first start was the previous game against Michigan State, but I was still sharing time. That was my first game where I was given the green light. It was a big deal for me because we got our first win of the season and my first win.”