“We’ll be aggressive in all we do”

The root of new defensive coordinator Legi Suiaunoa’s promotion goes to a football camp in Seattle in 2014.

Nick Rolovich, who was Nevada’s offensive coordinator at the time, and Suiaunoa, who was a Montana assistant, met while working with the same group. They talked about football, family, and former Nevada coach Chris Ault. (Rolovich coached under Ault in 2012; Suiaunoa is a Nevada alumnus.) After that day, Rolovich came away feeling he’d like to coach with Suiaunoa one day. Suiaunoa said he thought Rolovich was a “cool guy,” but can’t remember exactly how he left a strong impression. “Maybe I gave him a piece of candy,” Suiaunoa mused.

In assembling his first coaching staff in December 2015, Rolovich chose Suiaunoa to coach the defensive line, ahead of some UH graduates. In his first year at UH, Suiaunoa worked hard, recruited harder and developed a respectful relationship with his players. He also earned Rolovich’s trust. It is why Rolovich chose Suiaunoa over 15 candidates (and counting) from across the country.

Lempa implemented a 4-3 base that featured 3- and 5-man fronts, as well as nickel sub-packages. Suiaunoa said his scheme will be based on the available personnel. “The X’s and O’s might change, but the philosophy of what (Rolovich) wants doesn’t,” Suiaunoa said. “We want to be aggressive. There are a lot of different ways to apply pressure. We’ll be aggressive in how we coach the guys. We’ll be aggressive in how we attack the football. We’ll be aggressive in how we attack the day and approach practice. We’ll be aggressive in all we do.”

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Sean Duggan will remain on staff, Rolovich confirmed. Duggan was a graduate assistant at Boston College, working with Lempa in 2015, when both were hired at UH last year, presumably as a package deal. Duggan has contributed as a coach and recruiter, and Rolovich did not feel Lempa’s departure warranted another change. Plus, with his girlfriend’s help, Duggan is the defending Golden Apron champion.

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Rolovich said the vacancy on the staff will be filled with a defensive coach, most likely one to team with secondary coach Abraham Elimimian. Lempa helped with the safeties last season. Despite losing Nick Nelson and Ne’Quan Phillips, Eliminian did a good job in developing cornerbacks Jalen Rogers, Jamal Mayo, Roe Farris and Zach Wilson last year.

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Special team coordinator Mayur Chaudhari welcomes his added assignment of coaching the defensive ends. Chaudhari was a guest contributor to some of UH’s best defensive efforts last year.

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The 2017 UH baseball team will make its public debut with today’s game against the alumni at Murakami Stadium.

First pitch is at 1 p.m. There is no admission charge.

Last year’s opening-day pitcher — Brendan Hornung — will start today and in Friday’s season-opener against North Carolina State. He has four pitches, including a biting split-finger fastball. He credits that pitch to when he used to place a softball between his index and middle fingers to widen his baseball grip.