HONOLULU – University of Hawaii head football coach Norm Chow announced the hiring of Kevin Clune as defensive coordinator. Clune comes to UH from Utah State, where he was linebackers coach for the past five seasons. “I am honored and
HONOLULU – University of Hawaii head football coach Norm Chow announced the hiring of Kevin Clune as defensive coordinator. Clune comes to UH from Utah State, where he was linebackers coach for the past five seasons.
“I am honored and excited to be a part of Coach Norm Chow’s staff and the Hawaii football program,” Klune said. “I look forward to the new challenges that this opportunity will bring. I cannot wait to start spring ball and the new season.”
Over the past two seasons, the Aggie defense ranked among the nation’s best, including seventh in scoring defense in 2012 (15.4 ppg) and 2013 (17.1). USU also ranked 15th in total defense in 2012 (322.1 ypg) and 12th in 2013 (330.9). The Aggies were ranked No. 1 in the Mountain West in eight defensive categories last season while three of his linebackers earned all-conference honors.
In addition to coaching the linebackers at Utah State, Clune coordinated the punt return team and assisted in all other phases of special teams. He also coached and assisted all phases of defensive play, game planning, scouting, and play-calling. As part of USU’s staff last season, the Aggies captured the conference’s Mountain Division and played in the inaugural Mountain West Championship Game. Utah State defeated Northern Illinois 21-14 in the Poinsettia Bowl. The USU defense held Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch and the NIU offense to a season-low in points and total offense (315).
Clune came to Utah State after four years as Weber State’s defensive coordinator (2005-08), helping the Wildcats to a share of the Big Sky Conference title and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs in 2008.
That season, Clune’s defense was fourth in the league in total defense (363.9 ypg) and led the Big Sky in pass defense (208.4 ypg). WSU also led the conference in pass efficiency defense (109.4), which ranked 17th in FCS.
Under Clune, Weber State’s defense also ranked second in the Big Sky in both 2006 and ’07. The 2007 Wildcat defense yielded an average of just 348.4 yards per game. WSU also ranked first in the league in pass defense (212.2 ypg) and third in rushing defense (136.2 ypg). At WSU, Clune coached 15 all-Big Sky honorees, including second-team All-American Brady Fosmark in 2005.
Prior to Weber State, Clune served as defensive coordinator at Southern Utah from 2003-04. Clune mentored outside linebacker Nick DiPadova, who earned second-team Division I-AA All-America honors in 2004 and was honorable mention in 2003, and Marques Harris, who earned third-team All-American accolades in 2004.
