Akey brings in new talent

Written by Jennifer Schlake - Argonaut

Thursday, 25 February 2010

As the weather warms up and the basketball season comes to an end, it’s time for the football season to start back up. Hoping to continue the University of Idaho football team’s momentum from the previous season’s 8-5 record, including a Humanitarian Bowl win, coach Robb Akey is bringing several additions to the upcoming season. In January, a group of high school graduates and junior college transfers were announced as new additions to an already talented roster. Now, Akey has brought in a new kind of talent — talent in the hands of a coach. After former quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith left UI for an offensive coordinator position at Montana, former tight ends coach Steve Axeman moved to coach the quarterbacks, leaving Akey in need to fill the tight end coaching position. But filling the position seemed to be an easy task for Akey, who said he knew in the interview that Al Pupunu was perfect for the position. Pupunu was a coach at Southern Utah University, and most importantly a former San Diego Charger — becoming the Offensive Player of the Game in the 1994 AFC Championship game. Pupunu spent nine seasons in the NFL. But it wasn’t NFL experience that attracted Akey to Pupunu — it was his ability to teach. “Sometimes those NFL guys aren’t always great coaches, because they don’t necessarily teach because they are more gifted than everybody else,” Akey said. “That’s what I needed to find out from Al in his interview: Has he made himself a teacher since he got done playing the game? And he has.” The relationship between Akey and Pupunu runs deep, all the way back to Akey’s coaching days at Weber State, where Pupunu led the FCS with 93 receptions in 1991. The 93 mark still stands as the second best by a tight end in FCS history. “Being back with coach Akey—he had a lot of energy and a lot of guys respected that,” Pupunu said. “He’s turned this program around and I just want to be a part of that.” Pupunu said he hopes to improve tight ends’ footwork and technique. As a coach, Pupunu said he is more hands-on and brings a lot of focus toward detail — something he said he hopes will pass onto the players to get them going. Pupunu, a native of Tonga, is married with four children. Without even finishing the school year, his family has already made plans to move to the area. With his first day already behind him, Pupunu said he is already looking forward to spring ball in a few weeks. “I just want my guys, the tight ends, to be the best they can be and be a good example to these young men,” Pupunu said. “Football’s just another tool.” Since Akey has been a coach at UI, there has not been a Walter Camp All-American or NFL tight end come out of the team. Having this experience and skill, Akey said Pupunu will be somebody the players will want to listen to. “He has some tricks of the trade (from) playing at the highest level that can help him communicate to those guys,” Akey said. “It helps something that has been a good thing continue to grow.”

Pupunu joins Vandal staff

Former San Diego Charger and one-time FCS single-season receptions record holder Al Pupunu has joined Robb Akey's Idaho football staff as the Vandals' tight ends coach.

Pupunu, who comes to Idaho after two seasons at Southern Utah University, spent nine seasons in the NFL - seven with the Chargers. A tight end, he was the Offensive Player of the Game in the 1994 AFC Championship game and averaged 9.8 yards per catch during his career.

He made his collegiate mark at Weber State, when Akey was on the Wildcats' staff, by leading the FCS in receptions with 93 in 1991. That mark still stands as the second-best ever by a tight end in FCS history.

"Al is a first-class person," Akey said. "He proved to me he's a very good teacher. He also brings along some tricks of the trade that come with having played this game successfully at the highest level.

"I'm very happy and very excited about having Al as a member of our staff."

A native of Tonga, Pupunu attended Dixie State College for two years before transferring to Weber State. Not only was he an all-conference performer at Weber State, he was a Walter Camp All-American and is in the Wildcats' Hall of Fame as well as the Dixie College Hall of Fame and Utah Sports Hall of Fame. He was presented with the Distinguished Utahn Award by former Prime Minister of England Margaret Thatcher.

He and his wife, Mindi, have four children - Miley, Kade, Brynnli and Kenna.

Funaki gets UH grad assistant post

University of Hawaii football player Inoke Funaki will be a graduate assistant coach for the Warriors during the 2010 season, UH announced today.

Funaki, a former quarterback and running back, just completed his playing eligibility, has graduated and will work on a master's degree.

"He is a great example to our players both academically and athletically," UH coach Greg McMackin said.

Fertile ground for All-Poly

By Paul Honda

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jul 03, 2009

It was a first.

He hopes it won't be the last.

Alema Te'o brought the All-Poly Football Camp to Hawaii for the first time this week. The camp, a mainstay in Utah that is in its ninth year, continues to draw big-name coaches from the college ranks — even with the economy struggling.

Planning for the first Hawaii camp went back several months, with Te'o securing a field at Kapiolani Park in January, anchored in a faith that Hawaii's top players would come out. Many did, and even Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona spoke to the campers on Wednesday.

Te'o's relationships with prominent coaches is a big reason for the consistent success. UCLA assistant Norm Chow was among the instructors this week.

"When our coaches came here, Norm Chow was probably our strongest advocate for coaching our best," Te'o said. "You gotta earn every rep."

Another speaker was Rex Ryan, new coach of the New York Jets. Their advice was taken well.

"They talked about football affecting your life. Each coach really stressed education," Saint Louis running back Sean Valente said, noting a talk by Boise State assistant coach Viliami Tuivai in particular.

"Coach (Brian) Cabral said the best athletes are the ones who work the hardest," Saint Louis receiver Jordan Fukumoto said of the Colorado assistant who prepped at Saint Louis.

Before donning full pads and banging heads, campers were bused to Kaimuki Middle School, where they took a practice ACT test. It's all part of All-Poly's push for young student-athletes to prepare for college sooner rather than later.

"Our focal point is to get as many kids into college as possible," Te'o said. "It's gotta be a collaborative effort. Parents and kids have to be proactive and work with their counselors."

For every athlete who isn't recruited by an elite program, there are others who can establish themselves at camps like All-Poly.

That scenario is quite common, particularly for athletes who don't fit the mold just yet. Andrew Togiai, a free safety from Taylorsville (Utah) High School, is 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds.

Showing his considerable skills at multiple camps is key, but the trip to Hawaii gave his family a chance to visit family in Laie. His parents, Gina and Kaio, are Kahuku graduates.

"It's a big deal to come here and perform for coaches," Kaio said. "Kids here have heart and pride from wherever they're from. This is the only place where the small guy can beat the big guy because of heart."

Some new scholarship offers were made this week. Texas Tech, which landed former Farrington standout Sam Fehoko two years ago, made offers to 'Iolani defensive tackle Sealii Epenesa and King Kekaulike lineman Elvis Matagi, according to Fehoko's mother, Linda. Louisville offered scholarships to Punahou defensive end Jonathan Sani Fuimaono and Sam Fehoko's younger brother, V.J., who now has 16 offers.

Coaching rivalries put aside at All-Poly Camp

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

VIDEO: Polynesian college coaches and prep players gather for All-Poly football camp

In the midst of college football's increasingly intense, dog-eat-dog world of recruiting wars exists an ohana-like fraternity that willingly shares secrets about diamonds in the rough.

While sometimes in the running for the same coveted prospects, they also tip each other off on hidden gems and make suggestions on how to get them on campus.

They also serve as mentors, job counselors and friends-in-need.

"It's a great brotherhood," said Brigham Young University defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi, referring to the Polynesian Coaches Association. "We have a great network, and there's a lot of camaraderie."

Nowhere is that more evident than at the nationally renowned "All-Poly Camp," which is being held in Hawai'i for the first time this week after eight highly successful years in Utah.

The three-day camp — featuring more than 300 mostly local high school players instructed by coaches representing more than 20 colleges — wraps up today at Kapi'olani Park with a full-pads scrimmage followed by an awards ceremony and barbecue lunch.

There are several, maybe dozens of NCAA Division I prospects attending the camp, and no doubt some will receive added recruiting attention after it is over.

But since its inception eight years ago, with only eight coaches and about 40 athletes attending the inaugural event, the All-Poly Camp is not so much about "who will go to what college" but more about all of them continuing their education, period.

"The bottom line is we want all of these kids to go to college," said Colorado associate head coach Brian Cabral, a former standout at Saint Louis School who played eight seasons in the NFL. "We'll pass names around, a lot of it is finding a place for all of them. Division I is not for everybody, but there can be a college for anybody ... We want them to leave this camp a better football player and understand the importance of academics."

The PCA network extends from coast to coast and beyond — from Annapolis, Md., (Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo) to Louisville, Ky., (Louisville graduate assistant Abu Ma'afala) to Jonesboro, Ark., (Arkansas State defensive backs coach Corey Batoon) to Logan, Utah (Utah State defensive line coach Chad Kaha'aha'a).

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