After being hired as the Hawaii football team’s defensive coordinator on Jan. 7, Kevin Clune received a congratulatory voice message from Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

On Thursday, Clune wore shorts for his first day on the job.

"It’s beautiful," said Clune, a self-styled "beach guy" who was raised in California. "I couldn’t be more blessed right now."

Two days earlier, Clune left behind Logan, Utah, and its 25-degree weather. He had worked in the Beehive State for a dozen years, the last five as Utah State’s linebackers coach.

"Going back to Utah State would have been nice and easy, and that would have been great, and I’m sure we would have had success and all that," Clune said. "But this is the time to take the next step, the next adventure. … This is going to be a great challenge — and a great turnaround."

Clune, 41, succeeds Thom Kaumeyer, whose contract will not be renewed when it expires in March. The Rainbow Warriors dropped from 41st nationally in total defense in 2012, Kaumeyer’s first year at UH, to 117th this past season. The Aggies finished 12th in total defense in 2013.

Clune said he was aware of UH’s deficiencies when he accepted the offer from head coach Norm Chow. They never worked together previously, but their circle of advisers interacted frequently.

"The record might not have been great," Clune said, referring to UH’s 1-11 season in 2013, "but my job is to make it better. I’m not afraid of the issues, of what people may see as negatives. We’ll overcome those things. And that’s part of the challenge. That’s part of the deal."

The travel? "Well, that’s something we’re going to have to overcome," Clune said. "We’re going to do it."

The facilities? "Who cares?" Clune said. "We’ll find a way. I coached junior college. There were days we didn’t have footballs. Well, guess what? We found a way to deal with it and practice. Whatever it is, we’ll overcome it."

Clune said he hopes to implement a multiple-attacking scheme that fits his players’ skills. The Aggies’ base was a 3-4 alignment, with shifting to bring blitzers and pass-rushers from different angles. He said he will review personnel and "evolve this defense to the best we can be."

Clune admittedly has a "loud" coaching style. While he will oversee the defense, he will work closely with the inside linebackers. He said he will entrust his assistant coaches to teach the details of the schemes.

"They’re going to have their own voice and their own role," Clune said of the assistants.