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Warriors losing special teams coordinator to NFL

STAR-ADVERTISER / APRIL 2016

Special Teams Coordinator and Tight End coach Mayur Chaudhari at the University of Hawaii football team practice at the football practice field at University of Hawaii in Manoa in April 2016. Chaudhari is expected to accept a coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser has learned.

Mayur Chaudhari, who coached the University of Hawaii football team’s specialists the past two seasons, is expected to accept a coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser has learned.

Chaudhari was instrumental in the development of kicker/punter Rigo Sanchez, who now plays for the Indianapolis Colts.

The Rainbow Warriors will begin advertising for a replacement.

It has not been determined if the Warriors will hire a new special teams coordinator, add that duty to a current assistant coach or split the responsibilities among several coaches. Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon served as special teams coordinator at five previous schools, including Florida Atlantic (2017), Mississippi (2015-2016) and Arkansas State (2009-2011). Mark Banker, who was hired as linebackers coach last month, was the Warriors’ special teams coordinator in 1995.

The Warriors hired Chaudhari in February 2016 to replace Jake Cookus, who accepted a coaching job at Oregon State. In two years, four assistant coaches left UH to join the staffs of so-called Power Five schools. Receivers coach Kefense Hynson and defensive coordinator Legi Suiaunoa went to Oregon State in December. Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa accepted a job at Michigan last year. Also, offensive coordinator Zak Hill left for Mountain West Conference member Boise State, and Sean Duggan, whose UH contract was not renewed, recently joined the UMass coaching staff.

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