Even on the warmest days, Hawaii center Ethan Spencer’s demeanor is as cool as Freon.

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Even on the warmest days, Hawaii center Ethan Spencer’s demeanor is as cool as Freon.

Spencer never panics, rarely gets lost in emotion.

But there was that time two years ago …

“It was awesome,” Spencer said of witnessing the birth of his daughter. “It was something you really wait for … those nine months. There are a lot of emotions going through that whole time. And then when I saw my daughter come out, it was really awesome. It was awesome to see her for the first time.”

Despite a hectic schedule revolving around football-related activities and classes, Spencer hurries home to his girlfriend Piliwale Ka‘ai and their daughter, Pulama.

“Most days, I don’t get back home until 7:30, 8 o’clock,” said Spencer, who commutes between Manoa and his Kailua home. “The next day, it’s back to the same old.”

Spencer’s responsibilities extend to being the leader of the Rainbow Warriors’ offensive line. In player-run workouts, practices and games, according to line coach Derek Fa‘avi, Spencer is “responsible for all five guys to be on the same page. He does that really well, and at a high level.”

As a second grader, on the first day of tackle football, Spencer was assigned to the position he still plays. Although he was used across the line, his destiny was to be front and center.

“I played center pretty much from the beginning,” he said. “It just kind of happened. But good things happen for a reason.”

Through the years, he watched several NFL and college centers, sampling some techniques while building his portfolio of moves. “I tried to be my own self, too,” he said.

At Saint Louis School, Spencer honed his blocking skills and reading of defenses as part of the Crusaders’ spread offense. A’lique Terry, who was UH’s O-line coach in 2021, made a scholarship offer. By the time Spencer joined the Warriors in June 2022, Timmy Chang had replaced Todd Graham as head coach.

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Spencer redshirted in 2022. But Fa‘avi, who was director of player development, was impressed with Spencer’s play on the scout team that simulated an opponent’s offense in practices.

Two years later, Fa‘avi returned from a stint at USC to coach the Warriors’ offensive line. Observers drew comparisons between Spencer and Fa‘avi. Spencer is 6-foot-2; Fa‘avi was 6-1 and 275 pounds as a UH center. In 2005 — with a roster loaded with future NFL prospects such as Colt Brennan, Nate Ilaoa and Davone Bess — Fa‘avi was named the Warriors’ most valuable player.

“Shoot, we can’t find any,” Spencer said of the search for Fa‘avi’s highlight videos.

But Spencer has embraced Fa‘avi’s guidance on studying video, deciphering defenses, coordinating the line, and being vocal. Fa‘avi also had to force himself into speaking up in 2005. In past seasons, Spencer deferred to older players. But with 853 snaps last year, Spencer had gained the experience to earn listeners.

“It’s not my usual personality,” Spencer said. “I’m always trying to bring that out every single day, and be more vocal, and making sure we’re all on one page. And not yell at guys, obviously. But if I have to tell someone something, we have to make sure they understand what we’ve got to do and what’s our standard.”

Spencer has showed the way the past two seasons. In 2024, Spencer relinquished one sack in 170 pass plays. In the final 10 games last season, he allowed one sack and three hurries in 479 pass plays).

“It started with great high school coaching,” Fa‘avi said of Spencer’s skills, “and then transitioned to what we do. And the transition was smooth.”

During his UH career, Spencer has re-shaped his body (from 278 pounds as an incoming freshman to 300 now), improved his strength and quickness, and perfected his preparation. That includes quick-movement exercises, intensifying the force of two-handed “punches” to a D-lineman’s jersey numbers, and focusing on recovering. Spencer is back to full health after suffering an upper-body ailment this summer.

Spencer looks forward to quality time with the Warriors and his home team — Piliwale and Pulama.

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