SAN DIEGO – Savai'i Eselu has been named an assistant coach at San Diego State, Aztec football head coach Brady Hoke announced today. With the addition of Eselu, who will coach the tight ends, Hoke has completed his full-time coaching staff.
Eselu comes to SDSU after spending the last four seasons (2016-19) as the head coach at Moanalua High School in Honolulu. Eselu led the Menehunes to a 27-16 record, including a 18-3 mark over his last two years. His .628 career winning percentage is the best in school history, while his 27 wins rank as the second most.
Last year, Moanalulu HS finished 10-2, including a perfect 6-0 mark in OIA play. Quarterback RJ Javar threw for 3,260 yards and 29 touchdowns under Eselu, while Jansen York (84 receptions, 1,235 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Rudy Kealohi (89 rec., 977 yds, 9 TD) combined for 173 catches, 2,212 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Eselu played football at California from 2007-10 before joining the MHS staff as an assistant coach in 2011. Eselu worked with the defensive line, offensive line, wide receivers and as the passing coordinator before being named head coach in 2016.
Eselu has also coached at the 2020 Hula Bowl (running backs) and three Polynesian Bowls (2018-19 running backs, 2020 offensive coordinator).
Hoke also named Ruben Pena director of football operations, Craig Smith football operations specialist, Taylor Long football office coordinator, and Patrick Kugler, Matt Linehan, Mike Linehan and Colin Lockett as graduate assistant coaches.