University of Hawaii at Manoa Men's Football

 ALMA MATER Humboldt  State, B.S., Kinesiology, 2011 South Dakota, M.A., Interdisciplinary Studies, 2013 COACHING EXPERIENCE Morehouse College, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach (2024) Atlanta Falcons, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach (2021-23) Western Kentucky, Associate Director Strength & Conditioning  (2018-20) Fresno State, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach (2016-17) North Carolina State, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach  (2015) Stanford, Sports Performance Intern  (2014) South Dakota, Strength & Conditioning Graduate Assistant (2012-13) USC, Strength & Conditioning Intern (2012) Humboldt State, Strength & Conditioning Student Assistant (2010-2011) PLAYING EXPERIENCE Humboldt State (2007-09) HOMETOWN Lancaster, Calif.

Chris Brown enters his third season as the associate head coach/linebackers coach for the Hawai‘i football program in 2026, and his fifth year on the staff at his alma mater after arriving as the linebackers coach prior to the start of the 2022 season.   YEARS COACHING Hawai‘i: 5th Season Overall: 20th Season   ALMA MATER Hawai‘i, B.S. Sociology (2020)   COACHING EXPERIENCE Hawai‘i, Linebackers (2022-), Associate Head Coach (2024-) Bishop Gorman High School, Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers Coach (2015-21) Damien Memorial School, Linebackers, Defensive Coordinator (2013-15) Saint Louis School, Linebackers/Defensive Coordinator (2006-12)   COACHING HIGHLIGHTS Assumed the role of associate head coach prior to the 2024 season. Helped lead the Rainbow Warriors to a 9-4 season and Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl victory in 2025. At least two linebackers have been among the top three leading tacklers on the team every year from 2022-25. Has helped open a recruiting pipeline from national powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, where he was assistant head coach for seven years. Returned to his alma mater to coach the inside linebackers in 2022. Part of a staff that led Bishop Gorman High School to back-to-back national football championships in 2015 and ‘16. Also led Bishop Gorman to five state championships (2015-18, ‘21). Coached 15 All-American players and 16 linebackers who went on to the FBS level. Served as a coach for the USA Football National Team in 2017. Oversaw the strength and conditioning of all Bishop Gorman sports. Coached for seven seasons at Honolulu powerhouse Saint Louis School, helping the Crusaders to the 2011 state title while also coaching a bevy of future collegiate and NFL players, including Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa.   PLAYING EXPERIENCE Baltimore Ravens, 2003-2005 Hawai‘i, 1998-2002   PLAYING HIGHLIGHTS A four-year starter at Hawai‘i. A three-time All-WAC linebacker, including first-team honors in 2001 after leading the team in tackles (124) and forced fumbles. Team captain of the 2002 squad and selected to the East-West Shrine Bowl. The 2003 Hula Bowl Defensive Player of the Game. Signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent.   HOMETOWN Kahalu‘u, O‘ahu   PERSONAL Children: Elijah, Emily Grace, Fury  

Nick Locher heads into his third season as the safeties coach and fourth season on the staff of the Hawai‘i football program in 2026.   COACHING EXPERIENCE Hawai‘i, Safeties (2024-); Graduate Assistant (2023) Valdosta (Ga.) HS, Secondary/Safeties (2022) Western Kentucky, Graduate Assistant (2020-21) Owensboro HS, Running Backs (2019)   ALMA MATER Western Kentucky, B.S., recreation administration, 2019; M.A., physical education, 2022    COACHING HIGHLIGHTS Works primarily with the Hawai‘i safeties and nickelbacks. Guided safety Peter Manuma and nickelback Elijah Palmer to honorable mention All-Mountain West recognition in both 2024 and 2025. Helped Palmer finish in the top seven of the conference among cornerbacks in coverage grade in 2024 and 2025. Tutored a defensive secondary at Valdosta that recorded 17 interceptions in 11 games and keyed a defense that topped GHSA 7A in scoring defense (7.6 ppg). As a graduate assistant at WKU, helped coach five defensive backs who were named 2020 All-Conference USA. WKU’s defense finished 28th in the country in total defense and third in pass break-ups that same season. In 2021, held WKU’s defense finish second in the nation in both Interceptions (21) and forced turnovers (31). Coached the running backs for an Owensboro HS squad that scored 37.3 PPG and reached the state semifinals and finished with a 12-2 record.   HOMETOWN Owensboro, Ky.

PJ Minaya heads into his sixth season at UH in 2026 including his second as a defensive analyst.    YEARS COACHING Hawai‘i: 7th season Overall: 13th season   COACHING EXPERIENCE Hawai‘i, Cornerbacks (2025-present); Defensive Analyst (2023-24); Offensive Graduate Assistant - WRs (2022), QBs (2020-21) Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama (HI), Co-Offensive Coordinator, Wide Receivers/Quarterbacks (2019) Pacific University, Wide Receivers Coach (2015-2018); Offensive Assistant (2014)   COACHING HIGHLIGHTS Elevated to cornerbacks coach prior to the start of the 2025 season. Worked with the cornerbacks as a defensive analyst from 2023-24. Helped Cam Stone earn first-team All-Mountain West recognition in 2024. As a graduate assistant, helped mentor UH quarterback Chevan Cordeiro who became the first player in program history to pass for 6,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a career.  Coached a pair of all-ILH offensive selections at Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama in 2019. Guided a first-team all-conference selection in each of his four seasons as a receivers coach at Pacific. Also served as Pacific’s video coordinator in addition to his coaching duties from 2015-2017. On the coaching staff for a Pacific squad that was the 2014 Northwest Conference Co-Champions.   PLAYING EXPERIENCE Pacific University, 2010-13   PLAYING HIGHLIGHTS An honorable mention All-Northwest Conference selection at quarterback in 2012 and ’13 for Pacific. Holds school single-game records of 442 passing yards and 454 yards of total offense.  A two-time all-state and all-league quarterback for the Pac-Five Wolfpack in Honolulu. Tied the Hawai'i prep state single game record in 2009 with eight touchdown passes.   HOMETOWN Wahiawa, O‘ahu   EDUCATION Pacific University, B.A., Psychology (2014) Hawai'i, M.Ed, Educational Foundations

Jared Ursua enters his fifth season as the Hawai‘i football wide receivers coach in 2026 and has been on head coach Timmy Chang’s staff since his first season in 2022. YEARS COACHING Hawai‘i: 5th Season Overall: 13th Season ALMA MATER Southern Utah, B.A Physical Education, Teaching and Coaching (2012)   COACHING EXPERIENCE Hawai‘i, Wide Receivers (2022-) Weber State, Wide Receivers, Recruiting Coordinator (2019-21) Southern Utah, Wide Receivers, Recruiting Coordinator (2015-18), Director of Football Operations (2014-15)    COACHING HIGHLIGHTS In his fifth season as receivers coach in 2026. Helped Jackson Harris earn first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2025, leading the conference with 12 TD receptions and finishing second with 963 receiving yards. Has helped Pofele Ashlock rack up 2,288 yards and 23 TD receptions over three career seasons at UH going into 2026. Guided Steven McBride to a 1,000-yard season in 2023, ending with 1,024 receiving yards and nine TDs on 63 receptions. Spent seven seasons at Big Sky schools Southern Utah and Weber State, winning four conference titles in that span. Helped Weber State to a pair of Big Sky Championships during his first two seasons and two trips to the FCS Playoffs, including the semifinals in 2019.  Weber State also finished in the top 10 in the nation in 2019 and spring 2021, including being ranked as high as second in the nation, the highest ranking in school history.   Helped mentor Rashid Shaheed, the only four-time All American in Weber State history who also became the FCS all-time leader in kick return TDs (7). Started his coaching career at Southern Utah where he helped his alma mater win Big Sky titles in 2015 and ‘17 and advance to the FCS Playoffs twice. During his time as a Big Sky coach recruited at least a dozen players who went on to earn all-conference honors. Also recruited SUU offensive lineman Braxton Jones who went on to be a 2022 NFL draft pick of the Chicago Bears.   PLAYING EXPERIENCE Southern Utah, 2008-11   PLAYING HIGHLIGHTS A four-year letterwinner for Southern Utah, serving as both a wide receiver and kick returner.   HOMETOWN Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i   PERSONAL Wife: Sara; Children: Myla, Makana, Harvey, Koa Younger brother John Ursua is a former receiver for the Rainbow Warriors and the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Reyn Shiraishi joined the University of Hawai‘i football program in May 2022 and assumes the new role of director of football operations in 2023.   Shiraishi spent his first season with the program as the assistant director of football operations. He joined the program in May as a recruiting intern.   The Honolulu native earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington State, where he majored in entrepreneurial studies. Shiraishi is a graduate of Hawai‘i Baptist Academy.  

A veteran of the NFL and collegiate coaching ranks, Dennis Thurman enters his third season as the defensive coordinator for the Hawai‘i football program in 2026.   YEARS COACHING Hawai‘i: 3rd Season Overall: 37th Season   COACHING EXPERIENCE Hawai‘i, Defensive Coordinator, Cornerbacks (2024-) Colorado, Director of Quality Control (2023) Jackson State, Defensive Coordinator (2020-2022) Memphis Express (AAF), Defensive Coordinator, Cornerbacks (2018) Buffalo Bills, Defensive Coordinator (2015-2016) New York Jets, Defensive Coordinator (2013-14); Secondary (2009-12) Baltimore Ravens, Defensive Backs (2004-07), Defensive Assistant (2002-03) USC, Secondary (1993-2000) Ohio Glory (WFL), Defensive Coordinator (1992) Phoenix Cardinals, Defensive Backs (1988-1989)   COACHING HIGHLIGHTS More than three decades of coaching acumen at both the collegiate and professional levels. UH has ranked in the top half of the Mountain West in scoring defense each of his first two seasons leading the defense. The team finished no higher than ninth each of the three years prior to his arrival in 2024. Helped guide the Rainbow Warriors to a 9-4 season and Sheraton Hawai‘i bowl victory in 2025. Nine Warriors have earned All-Mountain West recognitions in his first two seasons on the UH staff. In his most recent stint as a defensive coordinator, guided a Jackson State squad that ranked in the FCS Top 10 in a dozen defensive categories as the Tigers enjoyed unprecedented success with a combined 23-3 record in back-to-back seasons. Has spent more than half of his coaching career in the NFL where he was a part of four organizations - including two as defensive coordinator. As secondary coach at Baltimore, coached  Ed Reed who won  2004 Defensive Player of the Year honors en route to a Hall of Fame career. Also helped develop a multitude of other NFL standouts in the secondary including Hall of Famer Darelle Revis and All-Pro Stephon Gilmore. In his first collegiate coaching job at his alma mater USC, helped the Trojans to three straight bowl games and three straight Top 25 finishes while mentoring nearly a half-dozen future NFL defensive backs.     PLAYING EXPERIENCE St. Louis Cardinals, 1986 Dallas Cowboys, 1978-1985 USC, 1974-1977   PLAYING HIGHLIGHTS Named to the College Football Hall Of Fame’s Class of 2026. Never missed a contest in his nine-year, 137-game professional career. Played in Super Bowl XII as a rookie and earned Pro Bowl honors in 1981. Tallied 36 career interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries and scored five touchdowns during his career. A two time All-American at USC and part of the 1974 national championship team.    ALMA MATER USC (1977)   HOMETOWN Los Angeles, Calif

Former UH player Jordan Pu'u-Robinson enters his fourth season in charge of the defensive ends for the Hawai‘i football program in 2026, and goes into his sixth season overall on the UH football staff.   YEARS COACHING Hawai'i: 6th season Overall: 7th season   ALMA MATER Hawai'i , B.S. Communications (2014)   COACHING EXPERIENCE Hawai'i, Defensive Ends (2023-) The Citadel, Defensive Line (2023 Spring) Hawai'i, Quality Control Coach, ST & TE (2022) Hawai'i, Graduate Assistant, DL (2021) Mercer, Quality Control Coach, LB (2020)   COACHING HIGHLIGHTS Helped guide a Hawai'i defensive line that was graded the highest in the Mountain West in 2025 according to PFSN College. Coached Jackie Johnson III to 2025 first-team All-Mountain West and G5 All-America (Hero Sports) status. Johnson was UH's first defensive lineman to be named first-team all-conference in a decade and the first defensive end to earn such honors since 2007. In 2024, coached Elijah Robinson an MW honorable mention and recipient of the team's Bob Wagner Defensive MVP award. Robinson had a team-high 10.5 tackles for loss and shared the team lead with five sacks while being the highest graded Mountain West edge defender against the run according to Pro Football Focus. Hired as defensive line coach at The Citadel in January 2023 before returning to UH as defensive line coach in April 2023. Helped coach the special teams unit and tight ends as a quality control coach in 2022. Coached tight end Caleb Phillips to first-team all-Mountain West honors. Worked with the UH defensive line as a graduate assistant in 2021. As a DL GA, helped coach Jonah Laulu (future 7th Round NFL draft pick) & Blessman Ta'ala (2022 MWC honorable mention). While at Mercer, helped coach two freshman All-Americans, including linebacker Isaac Dowling, who was also a first-team all-conference selection and a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award as the best FCS freshman player. On a Mercer staff that won the most conference games in school history in their first season at the school and set a single-season school-record for most wins versus a nationally ranked opponent, claiming three such wins in consecutive weeks.   PLAYING EXPERIENCE Hawai'i, 2012-14 Washington State, 2009-11   PLAYING HIGHLIGHTS Made starts in each season over a four-year career on both offense and defense while playing tight end and on the defensive line. Named to the all-Mountain West academic team in 2012. An all-state and all-league defensive end for Baldwin High School on Maui.   HOMETOWN Wailuku, Maui

Thomas Sheffield enters his fifth season as the Hawai‘i special teams coordinator in 2026.   YEARS COACHING Hawai‘i: 5th Season Overall: 15th Season   ALMA MATER Sam Houston State, B.S., Kinesiology (2012)   COACHING EXPERIENCE Hawai‘i, Assistant Head Coach (2022-23), Special Teams Coordinator (2022-) Nevada, Special Teams Coordinator (2020-21) Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Special Teams Coordinator (2017-19) North Texas, Special Teams, Offensive Graduate Assistant (2015-16) Mary Hardin-Baylor, Running Backs, Special Teams, Tight Ends, Inside Receivers, Recruiting Coordinator (2012-14) Sam Houston State, Offensive Quality Control (2011)   COACHING HIGHLIGHTS Entering his fifth season as special teams coordinator in 2025. Led kicker Kansei Matsuzawa to becoming the first Consensus All-American in program history in 2025. Also helped Matsuzawa become UH’s second-ever Lou Groza Award finalist. Under his guidance, Matsuzawa tied a 43-year old FBS record for consecutive made field goals to start a season, making his first 25 kicks of the year. Helped punter Billy Gowers earn first-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus in 2025. Led a Nevada special teams unit that blocked a combined six kicks during his two-year tenure.  Directed a Nevada special teams unit that blocked a combined six kicks during his two-year tenure.  The Wolf Pack also ranked ninth nationally in net punting in 2020 and 17th in punt returns in 2021. In his first season at Nevada, coached three all-Mountain West players in kicker Brandon Talton, punt returner Romeo Doubs and punter Julian Diaz. Enjoyed a successful three-year stint at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where the Golden Lions were among the FCS national leaders in net punting, punt coverage, blocked punts and kickoff return average. While at APB, mentored two-time all-conference honoree and current New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan.  Coached a Mary-Hardin Baylor program that went 38-3 during his tenure, including three conference titles and a pair of appearances in the Division III national semifinals.  Coached American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) first-team All-American tight end Eric Nelson at Mary-Hardin Baylor. First coaching job was as quality control at his alma mater Sam Houston State where he was part of the 2012 squad that advanced to the FCS National Championship before finishing the season 14-1.   HOMETOWN Waco, Texas   PERSONAL Wife: Emily; Sons: Peyton, Cannon; Daughter: Blair  

Former Rainbow Warrior standout Derek Faavi enters his third season as the offensive line coach at his alma mater in 2026.   YEARS COACHING Hawai‘i: 3rd Season Overall: 19th Season   COACHING EXPERIENCE Hawai‘i, Offensive Line (2024-); Director of Player Development (2022)  USC, Offensive Analyst (2022-23) Adams State, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line (2016-2020) Nojima Sagamihara Rise (Japan), Offensive Line (2010-2016) Keio University (Japan), Offensive Line (2014-2015) Campbell High School, Offensive Line (2008-2009)   COACHING HIGHLIGHTS Led a UH offensive line room in 2025 that provided protection for a passing attack that finished eighth nationally and first in the Mountain West at 290.6 yards per game. Helped the Hawai‘i offense finish second nationally in red zone offense (95.24%). Has coached a pair of Mountain West honorable mention selections (Zhen Sotelo – 2025, Ka‘ena DeCambra – 2024). Served as an offensive analyst for a USC squad that ranked in the top 5 nationally in scoring offense and passing yards in each of his two seasons there, including in 2022 when quarterback Caleb Williams captured the Heisman Trophy by season’s end.   During his stint as OC at Adams State, the Grizzlies finished in the top four in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in both total and passing offense for three consecutive seasons, while leading the league in passing in both 2017 and ‘18. Adams State averaged 353.0 yards per game through the air in 2017 and 338.3 per game in 2018, while quarterback Nick Rooney led the RMAC in passing in 2017. Boasts international coaching experience having spent seven years coaching both Keio University and the Nojima Sagamihara Rise in Japan’s X-League. In his first season with the Rise, helped them win the X2 championship as the offensive line allowed just two sacks all season.    PLAYING EXPERIENCE Hawai’i, 2001-2005   PLAYING HIGHLIGHTS Started 37 career games at Hawaii, while serving as the center for two of the most prolific quarterbacks in NCAA history in Timmy Chang and Colt Brennan.  Went from freshman walk-on to the team’s Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player following his senior season in 2005.   EDUCATION Hawai’i, B.A., Sociology (2005) Adams State, M.S., Kinesiology and Exercise Science (2018)   PERSONAL Wife - Veronica;, Daughter - Pa’iau Joy; Son - Derek Jr.

Jeremy Kerr  joined the Rainbow Warrior staff as the tight ends and special teams analyst in August 2025.    ALMA MATER Florida State, 2017 COACHING EXPERIENCE Hawai‘i, Tight Ends & Special Teams Analyst  (2025-) Bryan High School (Texas), Associate Head Coach, Head of Strength and Conditioning, Special Teams Coordinator, Running Backs (2024-25) Texas A&M, Running Backs and Special Teams Analyst (2018-23) Florida State, Graduate Assistant (2017) PLAYING EXPERIENCE Florida State, 2013-16 HIGHLIGHTS Spent six seasons at Texas A&M, four of which resulted in bowl games. Helped develop 2018 Ray Guy Award winner, Braden Mann, while with the Aggies.  As a player, part of four straight bowl teams at Florida State and was a member of the 2013 squad that captured the national championship.    HOMETOWN St. Petersburg, Fla.   EDUCATION Florida State, B.S., Interdisciplinary Sociology (2017)