It is a fitting scenario that a Nick Rolovich-led Cal football team will face Hawaii in the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl at the Ching Complex.

As UH’s quarterback in 2001, Rolovich threw for 543 yards and eight touchdowns to upset then-unbeaten BYU 72-45 in the regular-season finale. The Rainbow Warriors finished 9-3 but were not not invited to postseason bowl on the continent. The Hawaii Bowl was created in 2002 to provide a postseason game for a bowl-eligible UH team.

That 2001 season “absolutely” led to the creation of the Hawaii Bowl, according to Jim Donovan, who was UH’s associate athletic director at the time. “Because the team did so well in 2001 and had nowhere to go, that caught ESPN’s attention, and they worked with us” to start the bowl.

Rolovich, who was UH’s head coach for four years through 2019, recently was named Cal’s interim head coach following Justin Wilcox’s dismissal last month. Rolovich, with an offense quarterbacked by Campbell graduate Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, led the Bears to an upset of SMU last week. The freshman from Ewa Beach, under the tutelage of Rolovich and others, has turned heads with 3,117 passing yards and 20 total touchdowns right out of high school.

“I’m happy for him,” Chang said of Rolovich. “It’ll be a very exciting game.”

Chang and associate head coach Chris Brown embraced the opportunity to compete against a former Warriors teammate. The sentiments were mutual.

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“I love both of those men and am so proud of how they have the Warriors playing,” Rolovich texted to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “Alums are proud all over the world. Excited to give them both a hug.”

In 2000, Rolovich, a transfer from City College of San Francisco, and Chang, who set national passing records at Saint Louis School, joined the Warriors as quarterbacks.

“The first time I met him, I thought he was funny,” Chang said. “I think when you mention Rolo to people, the first thing they do is smile. He makes you laugh. He’s a good guy, a good personality guy.”

Rolovich started the first two games that year, to uneven results, and was replaced by Chang.

Chang said Rolovich was gracious and helpful in moving to a backup role.

“He handled it with grace,” Chang said. “He handled it the way you’d want a backup to handle it. He got ready for his next opportunity.”

The following year, Chang suffered a season-ending injury to his right (throwing) wrist in the third game against Rice. Chang eventually applied for a medical redshirt that extended his UH career through 20o4. Chang said he offered “100% support” to Rolovich, who led the Warriors to eight victories in the next nine games. During that span, Rolovich threw for 3,361 yards and 34 touchdowns. He ended his UH career with three consecutive games of 500-plus passing yards.

Rolovich offered advice and encouragement when Chang was hired to replace Todd Graham as UH head coach in January 2022. In recent years, Chang has sought tips from Rolovich as the Warriors added wrinkles to the run-and-shoot offense. Both Rolovich and Chang eventually became play-callers as UH head coaches.

“He’s always giving me encouragement,” Chang said.

Chang added: “There’s so much respect for Nick and what he’s done here at the University of Hawaii.”

Brown, a snarling middle linebacker, and Rolovich had neighboring lockers as UH teammates in 2000 and 2001.

“Every single day, Rolo’s helmet would be missing,” Brown said, smiling. “He wouldn’t have a mouthpiece. His shoulder pads were up in the lights. His moped was taped to the fence, just because that’s what a linebacker does to quarterbacks. He would be late to practice every day. He would be pissed at me. He knew it was me every single day.”

From that, Brown and Rolovich formed a bond.

“He knew the first person he could call when things were down was CB,” Brown said.

After Rolovich was summoned to replace an injured Chang against Rice in 2001, Brown recalled, “I looked at him and said, ‘It’s your time. We’ve got your back. Go do your thing. The defense got your back.’ He never forgot that.”

During his introductory news conference as head coach in November 2015, Rolovich recalled the incident, and expressed thanks to Brown.

“Our bond has always been great,” Brown said. “He could get along with anybody.”

Brown grew up in Kahaluu, Rolovich in Northern California. But Brown has repeatedly told Rolovich, “You’re more Hawaiian than most guys I know.”

As the Mountain West representative, UH is designated as the “home” team. The Warriors will use their usual locker room and choose their uniform color.