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Kaluka Maiava's teams at the University of Southern California were a combined 46-6 and played in four Rose Bowls. At Baldwin High School, Maiava's teams from 2002 to '04 were 25-5-2.

In half a season for the Cleveland Browns (1-7), the linebacker has suffered more losses than in either of his standout careers in high school or college.

''I have never lost,'' Maiava said Tuesday after Browns practice in Berea, Ohio. ''When you face adversity like this, you find the true character of a team. A lot of guys would say 'forget this' and quit, but teams that come out and work and show character like this team is doing, that is a great team that is building for a better future.''

For the Browns at this point --- halfway through the season --- that really seems to be all that is left. General manager George Kokinis was fired or forced out on Monday after just 10 months on the job.

Kokinis was hand-picked by first-year coach Eric Mangini, whose future with the franchise also appears to be in question. Two weeks ago, owner Randy Lerner added former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar as a team consultant. Last week, the team dismissed Erin O'Brien, Mangini's former personal assistant with the New York Jets who was team operations director with Cleveland.

Maiava said he didn't have much contact with the Browns prior to April's NFL draft when the team picked him in the fourth round. He got to know Kokinis over the season, however.

''He is a great guy and it is unfortunate what happened to him,'' Maiava said. ''I wish the best to him now, but I am a rookie trying to learn the business. The veterans on our team say all the time that this is a business first and that is what happens sometimes.''

The Browns have scored just 78 points this season, tied with the Oakland Raiders for 30th in the NFL, one more point than the St. Louis Rams have. The Browns offense has scored five touchdowns.

''It has been difficult --- we are not in this business to lose and do not like losing,'' Maiava said. ''We have got a lot of good guys on this team, good football players with great leadership and stuff like that.

''After a tough loss like we have been dealing with every week, we have been coming out on Monday and doing everything we can to correct the little things and get ready for the next game.''

When asked about swirling reports regarding Mangini's future, Maiava reiterated the team's mentality.

''We are worried about

the Ravens next Monday

(Nov. 16),'' he said. ''Yeah, I mean everyone has their job to do and everybody has to take care of their responsibility. The business part, people getting fired, we have no say in that. We just have to take care of the job at hand --- winning on Sunday or Monday.''

Maiava's playing time has increased lately because a pair of starting linebackers --- D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton --- have been injured. Maiava has recorded 16 of his 20 tackles this season in the last 2 1/2 games, and made his first NFL start on Oct. 25 in a 31-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He also has two forced fumbles and a pass deflection this season, and plays on all special teams.

Jackson is done for the year because of a shoulder injury. ESPN reported Tuesday that Barton's season may be over after suffering a neck injury

in Sunday's 30-6 loss to the Chicago Bears.

''Our veteran linebackers are great guys,'' Maiava said. ''It was sad when D'Qwell went down and now Barton. It is tough seeing our leaders go down, but that is when the young guys have got to step up and help out the team and play their part.''

Maiava said that getting playing time does help him deal with the mounting losses.

''Yeah, definitely,'' he said. ''It is always helps ease the pain a little bit more when you get to play rather than being on the bench. I love playing --- I don't feel comfortable on the sidelines. I just have to be ready for my name to be called and help the team.''

Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com