HONOLULU — Former University of Hawaii football offensive line coach Chris Naeole released a statement through his lawyer Friday confirming his resignation from the school. It’s been previously reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Naeole was absent from practices leading up
HONOLULU — Former University of Hawaii football offensive line coach Chris Naeole released a statement through his lawyer Friday confirming his resignation from the school.
It’s been previously reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Naeole was absent from practices leading up to today’s road game against Nevada. It was also reported Naeole didn’t travel with the team to Reno.
Naeole’s full statement read:
“I’d like to thank the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the people of our state, for not only allowing me to serve, but also in supporting me as a member of the Rainbow Warriors coaching staff over the last four and one-half years.
In my heart, I believe I served the program and student-athletes to the best of my ability, and with the same work ethic, desire and passion to excel that pushed me at all levels of my playing career.
However, due to certain philosophical differences with the handling of disciplinary matters in the program, I’ve offered my resignation as the offensive line coach. I have always believed in the integrity and principles of what our community and the University stands for and those same beliefs are what I have always tried to instill in my players.
I have expressed my thoughts with the coaching staff and the Athletic Department, and I know the same holds true with many of the other dedicated coaches throughout the entire University of Hawaii athletic ‘ohana.
I will miss the fans, the support staff, and the faculty who have been so supportive of the program, as well as the young men I’ve had the privilege and honor of coaching, teaching, and mentoring at the University of Hawaii.
I extend my Aloha and well wishes to a great University, and to the people of Hawaii.”
Naeole was in his fifth season at UH before departing, serving three under former head coach Norm Chow and the last one-plus under current head coach Nick Rolovich. He also served as interim head coach after Chow was fired.
In a release from the university, Rolovich said, “I want to thank Chris for his hard work and dedication to our football program. He was critical in holding this program together in the transition from Coach Chow to myself. We wish him well in his future, and we will meet this challenge head on because that is the Warrior way.”
UH Athletics Director David Matlin also said in the release, “Chris will be missed and he will always be a member of our Rainbow Warrior ‘ohana.”
Naeole is a Kahuku High School alumnus, was an All-American offensive lineman at the University of Colorado and played 12 seasons in the NFL.
