Bio entering 2023-24 season
At San Diego State
- Savai’i Eselu finished his third season at San Diego State as the Aztecs’ tight ends coach.
- Last year, Mark Redman led the Aztecs in receiving with 38 catches, 408 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. The Mackey Award Watch List member earned his second consecutive all-Mountain West second team selection.
- In 2022, Eselu oversaw transfer Mark Redman accumulated 21 catches for 233 yards on his way to an all-Mountain West second team selection.
- Following his all-MW honorable mention season, Daniel Bellinger was named to the 2021 Mackey Award preseason watch list and following his senior campaign, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
- Under Eselu’s direction, Daniel Bellinger received all-Mountain West honorable mention in 2020. The SDSU junior caught 21 passes for 203 yards, which ranked third and fifth, respectively among conference tight ends. Bellinger excelled over the final three games of the season when he totaled 12 catches for 112 yards, including career highs of five receptions and 53 yards vs. Colorado State in the home finale.
- In 2020, Eselu coached a tight end group that contributed to the Aztecs’ third-ranked rushing attack in the Mountain West (199.4), which was good for 32nd nationally.
Previous Experience
- Eselu arrived at SDSU after serving a four-year stint from 2016-19 as the head coach at his prep alma mater Moanalua High School in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- During his tenure, Eselu led Na Menehune to a 27-16 record, including an 18-3 mark over his final two seasons.
- Eselu’s .628 career winning percentage is tops in school history, while his 27 wins rank second.
- In 2019, Eselu guided Moanalua High to a 10-2 record, including a perfect 6-0 mark in O’ahu Interscholastic Association play.
- Under Eselu’s tutelage last season, quarterback RJ Javar threw for 3,260 yards and 29 touchdowns, 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.
- Before his promotion to head coach, Eselu was hired as an assistant at Moanalua High from 2011, working with the offensive line, wide receivers and defensive line over the next four years while serving as passing game coordinator.
- In addition to his prep responsibilities, Eselu coached the running backs at the 2020 Hula Bowl and has assisted at three Polynesian Bowls, featuring stints as offensive coordinator (2020) and running backs coach (2018-19).
Playing Experience
- Eselu was a member of the California Golden Bears football program from 2007-10. He saw action in one game during his collegiate career vs. Eastern Washington (9-12-09), but did not record a stat.
- As a prep player at Moanalua High, Eselu was rated the No. 4 prospect in the state of Hawaii and the No. 24 tight end in the country by Rivals. He was also ranked as the No. 35 tight end in the nation by Scout.
- In addition, Eselu was named to the all-Far West team by SuperPrep and was a Prepstar all-West Region honoree.
- Eselu twice garnered all-state accolades, including a first-team nod as a senior. He also served as varsity captain for three years and was an all-Oahu White League selection on three occasions.
- Eselu racked up 45 receptions for 1,285 yards over his career and also played defense, totaling 25.0 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks as a prep.
Education
Received his bachelor’s degree in sociology from California in 2011.
Personal
Eselu and his wife, Tatiana, reside in Spring Valley with their four children, Leighla-Jordan, Leighton, Lennox, and Loxley.