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And then there were five.
The number of University of Hawaii assistant football coaches is five with linebackers coach Sean Duggan not returning to the staff, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser has learned.
The Warriors are set to hire five coaches. Chris Naeole resigned as offensive line coach in October. Two weeks ago, defensive coordinator Legi Suiaunoa and receivers coach Kefense Hynson resigned to accept coaching jobs at Oregon State. The NCAA is allowing FBS teams to add a 10th full-time assistant coach in January.
Duggan was a standout linebacker at Boston College. He was a graduate assistant in 2015, when the Eagles led the nation in total defense (254.3 yards per game) and were fourth in points allowed (15.3 per game).
Kevin Lempa, who was defensive backs coach for the Eagles that season, was hired as the Rainbow Warriors’ defensive coordinator in 2016, Nick Rolovich’s first season as head coach. At Lempa’s recommendation, Duggan was hired as linebackers coach. Duggan was retained for the 2017 season after Lempa joined Michigan’s staff in February.
Duggan is an active recruiter and diligent instructor. Duggan coached middle linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who led the Warriors in tackles the past two seasons after moving from rush end.
Duggan’s departure leaves associate head coach/offensive coordinator Brian Smith and cornerbacks coach Abraham Elimimian as the holdover coaches from Rolovich’s original staff. Last year, Craig Stutzmann was hired as quarterbacks coach/pass-game coordinator after Zak Hill resigned after 48 days on the job. Mayur Chaudhari was hired to replace special teams coordinator Jake Cookus, who resigned because of family issues. Defensive backs coach Jacob Yoro was hired last summer to fill the spot vacated by Lempa. Naeole, Suiaunoa and Hynson were members of Rolovich’s initial staff.
