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PROVO — If you thought the coaching carousel was quieting down, think again.
Todd Graham's sudden resignation late Friday night at Hawaii opened up a new spot on the carousel, and two BYU assistants might be apt to take a spin late in the cycle.
BYU assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Ed Lamb could find himself in high demand for the open head coaching job at Hawaii, as could defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki after Graham's stunning departure announced in the ultimate Friday news dump that came across the wire around midnight eastern time on the mainland, according to several reports, like the one by Chris Vannini of The Athletic and ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.
"Todd informed me of his decision to resign," Hawaii athletics director David Matlin said of Graham, who had just completed the second season of his five-year contract. "We enjoyed many successes under his leadership even as he faced pandemic conditions, the withdrawal of Aloha Stadium, and the prohibition of any fans for nearly all his time with us. Todd's tireless efforts as a coach have made a positive impact on many student-athletes. We have talked at length, and it is clear he has taken this action so that the football program can thrive moving forward."
One of the most unique head coaching jobs in Division I football, Hawaii offers several challenges unlike anything on the mainland as the only FBS university within a five-hour flight.
That doesn't mean winning is impossible there. But the school has found most of its success with head coaches that have a connection to the islands, such as Nick Rolovich, the former UH quarterback who led the Rainbow Warriors to a Mountain West division title before bolting for Washington State.
Tuiaki is a Hawaii native, born in Kahuku before moving to Utah as a child and graduating from Timpview High School prior to playing at Snow College and Southern Utah. The 43-year-old defensive play caller has spent all but one year of his coaching career in the Beehive State, dating back to his time as an assistant coach at Kearns High School in 2006-07.
But he's also put together a strong defense since also adding defensive lineman coach to his title beginning with the 2017 season.
Hawai'i will begin its search for Graham's replacement immediately. BYU assistant head coach Ed Lamb finished second for the job two years ago. https://t.co/idwdxgImob
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 15, 2022
Among other qualifications, Vannini cites Lamb's experience in recruiting the Aloha State during his time at BYU. The California native who was head coach at SUU from 2008-15 even taught himself Tongan to better communicate with BYU's significant Pacific Islander community that speak the language.
Among other candidates like former Hawaii quarterback Timmy Chang and Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo, who grew up in Hawaii, Vannini also cites former BYU offensive coordinator Robert Anae. The recently named Syracuse offensive coordinator reportedly applied for the Rainbow Warriors' job before following Bronco Mendenhall to Virginia six years ago, where he directed the No. 2-rated passing offense in 2021 prior to joining Dino Babers' staff in upstate New York.
Could the chance to coach his own program pull him away from a new job in the ACC? KHON 2 in Honolulu thinks it would be the right fit.
"Anae, a Kahuku alum and former Hawaii graduate assistant, came close to landing the job in 2020, even flying to the islands to interview for the job in person back when he was Virginia's offensive coordinator," wrote Christian Shimabuku, adding the importance of ties to the islands for the Warriors' next head coach.
