Like many, Jerry Glanville prefers to take a long walk to think about things.

Only Glanville's recent walk took three weeks and covered miles of wildlife tracks in Wyoming.

"It was great," said Glanville, the University of Hawai'i football team's defensive coordinator. "We saw everything but the bear."

Glanville's group focused on tracking wolves.

"I just saw two," he said. "They were surprisingly really close. I'd say three first downs away."

Most of the time, Glanville's thoughts were on the Warriors' season-opening opponent.

"I thought of the (wolf pack) as Alabama," Glanville said. "I can't wait, really, for things to start up. Oh, I'm dying to go. Let's get it on."

The Warriors open training camp Aug. 3.

Despite the loss of projected starting linebacker John Fonoti, who will not play this season because of personal reasons, Glanville expects the defense to improve significantly. Last season, Glanville's first as UH defensive coordinator, the Warriors were ranked 102nd in total defense (438.4 yards per game) and 110th in scoring defense (35.7 points per game).

"We're better, but what we think doesn't matter," Glanville said. "We've got to prove it."

Glanville said it was "disappointing" that Fonoti would not be available this season. At the end of spring practice, Fonoti and C.J. Allen-Jones were listed as the starting outside linebackers in UH's 3-4 scheme.

Glanville said Tyson Kafentzis, listed as the backup to Allen-Jones, and Brashton Satele can replace Fonoti. NCAA rules prohibit Glanville from commenting on another likely contender, Amani Purcell, who needs to pass a summer session class to be eligible to play this season. Purcell is transferring from Penn State.

"I think Kafentzis can play," Glanville said. "He'll be a big plus for us."

Satele, who redshirted as a freshman last year, weighed 260 pounds at the start of the 2005 training camp. During the spring, he reduced to 240 pounds. He weighed 245 yesterday.

"I'm feeling pretty good," said Satele, who has been timed running 40 yards in 4.58 seconds.

Glanville said: "He's very fast. When we played the (spring intrasquad) game without the starters, he was the best tackler."

Glanville said he does not expect Brad Kalilimoku to move from strong safety. Kalilimoku, who started at inside linebacker last season, practiced at safety during spring training.

"I like him back there," Glanville said. "He plays like a safety."

Glanville, who lives in Georgia, returns to Hawai'i on Sunday.

WAITING GAME

Wideout Ian Sample will learn by late next week whether he will be granted an exemption that will allow him to play as a sixth-year senior in the fall, UH coach June Jones said yesterday.

Jones said the NCAA, which will rule on the matter, requested additional documents.

The NCAA allows a football player five years to play four seasons. Sample is seeking an exemption because he left school in 2002 to take care of his mother, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis.

"It's going to be tight," Jones said, noting the decision will be announced close to the Aug. 3 start of training camp.

Sample and Ross Dickerson are the leading candidates to start at right wideout. Speed on Big Island

Hawai'i Speed and Quickness is conducting free clinics on the Big Island this week.

Today's sessions at Kea'au are from 9 to 11 a.m. for ages 7 to 12, and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for ages 13 and older.

Tomorrow's sessions at Konawaena High School are 1 to 3 p.m. for ages 7 to 12, and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for ages 13 and older.

There also are free volleyball camps Thursday at Kea'au High School and Friday at Konawaena High School.

Thursday's sessions are from 9 to 11 a.m. for ages 7 to 12, and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for ages 13 and older.

Friday's sessions are 1 to 3 p.m. for ages 7 to 12, and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for ages 13 and older.

For information, call Billy Kenoi at (808) 961-8508.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.