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SALT LAKE CITY - Utah's offensive coaching staff was shuffled on Thursday which includes one new hire that is returning to his alma mater.
Former Utah defensive end Chad Kauha'aha'a returns to the Utes as the defensive line coach. Kauha'aha'a spent the last two seasons as the defensive line coach at Utah State and the previous four seasons at Weber State.
"I'm thrilled to be back home at the University of Utah and I'm grateful to Coach Whittingham for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Utah family again," said Kauha'aha'a.
"I appreciate everything Utah State and (Aggie head coach) Gary Andersen did for me and the development of my career."
In addition to the hiring of Kauha'aha'a, other offensive coaching roles were redefined.
Norm Chow, in addition to being the team's offensive coordinator, will also coach the tight ends.
Aaron Roderick will coach the wide receivers, while Dave Schramm will coach the running backs, something he did his first four years at Utah (2005-2008).
Aaron Alford, who has coached the running backs for the previous two seasons, will move into an administrative role as the director of high school relations to help the transition into the Pac-12.
Brian Johnson will continue to coach the quarterbacks and Tim Davis is taking over the offensive line.
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Five former Utah football players were invited to the NFL Combine, held at the end of February.
Matt Asiata, Running back
Brandon Burton, Defensive back
Caleb Schlauderaff, Offensive guard
Sealver Siliga, Defensive tackle
Zane Taylor, Center
Utah is extremely good at preparing players for the NFL. This year, they are 2nd in the Pac-12 for the number of players invited to the combine. Here is a breakdown, school by school:
USC 8
Utah 5
California 4
Arizona 4
Stanford 4
UCLA 3
Oregon 3
Colorado 3
Washington 3
Oregon State 3
Washington State 2
Arizona State 1
You can see the entire list here.
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U of U press release
SALT LAKE CITY - Former Utah defensive end Chad Kauha'aha'a (pronounced cow-ha-a-ha-a) is returning to his alma mater as the defensive line coach. Kauha'aha'a, a second-team all-Western Athletic Conference selection as a senior in 1996, has spent the last two seasons as the defensive line coach at Utah State.
His hiring coincides with some other moves within the Utah staff. Head coach Kyle Whittingham announced today that new offensive coordinator Norm Chow will also coach the tight ends, while Dave Schramm takes over at running back--a position he managed during his first four years at Utah (2005-08). Aaron Alford, a Ute assistant since 2007 and the running backs coach for the last two seasons, moves into an administrative role as the director of high school relations. The rest of Utah's offensive staff has Aaron Roderick beginning his seventh year with the receivers, Brian Johnson coaching the quarterbacks for the second year and Tim Davis taking over the offensive line.
"Chad Kauha'aha'a was a very tough, physical football player and he brought that mentality into the coaching profession," said Whittingham, who was the defensive coordinator during Kauha'aha'a's last three years at Utah. "He has developed into a very good coach with a passion and energy for the game of football."
As for the position moves on the offensive side of the ball, Whittingham had this to say: "We took our time re-positioning the offensive staff and made sure that we got everybody into the roles we felt were best for the program. Aaron Alford did a nice job with our running backs, and the cornerbacks before that, but as the director of high school relations, he will fill a critical role for us in our move to the Pac-12."
"I'm thrilled to be back home at the University of Utah and I'm grateful to Coach Whittingham for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Utah family again," said Kauha'aha'a. "I appreciate everything Utah State and (Aggie head coach) Gary Andersen did for me and the development of my career."
Kauha'aha'a was hired by Utah State after four years as the defensive line coach at Weber State. He helped WSU to a share of the 2008 Big Sky Conference title and the Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2008 Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, where they lost to No. 5 Montana, 24-13.
Prior to Weber State, Kauha'aha'a was the head coach at Baldwin High School on the island of Maui, Hawai'i, where he posted a 25-5-2 record in three seasons, winning two Maui Interscholastic League championships. His teams ranked among the top five in the state each of those three seasons.
A three-year letterman at Utah, Kauha'aha'a played linebacker in 1993 before redshirting in 1994. He played defensive end his last two seasons, earning honorable mention all-WAC honors in 1995 and second-team mention in 1996, despite missing three games with a knee injury. His 70 tackles in 1995 included seven sacks, and he led Utah with six tackles for loss in 1996 (four sacks). He ranks 11th all-time at Utah in tackles for loss yardage (110 yards) and was a two-time recipient of Utah's Walt DeLand Award, presented to the Ute football player who overcomes adversity to make a contribution.
Kauha'aha'a graduated from Utah in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. He and his wife, the former Walene Reyes, have two children, Walter and Chaseten. He is a native of Maui, Hawaii.
