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HONOLULU – University of Utah offensive coordinator and Honolulu-born Norm Chow has accepted the head football coach position at the University of Hawai'i. Chow was formally introduced at a press conference Thursday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
 
Chow, a Punahou School alum and Palolo Valley native, succeeds Greg McMackin, who retired after four seasons as head coach of the Warriors. Chow is the program's 22^nd head coach and first Asian-American head coach of a major college football program. It is also Chow's first stint as a head coach.
 
“I am happy and proud to welcome Norm Chow as our new football coach,” Athletics Director Jim Donovan said. “I'd like to thank the search committee for their work the last two weeks. I'd also like to thank Glenn Sugiyama and DHR International for their support. Obviously Norm is one of the best offensive minds in the country and we are thrilled that he's able to come home to lead our football program. This is special not only for the university but for him. His wide-open offense and name recognition will only help us in recruiting the top talent to our university and football program.”
 
Chow, 65, is currently in his first season as Utah's offensive coordinator and will serve in that capacity as the Utes play Georgia Tech in the Hyundai Sun Bowl.
 
“I am extremely honored to receive the privilege of leading the University of Hawai'i football program; it is very humbling,” Chow said. “This is a program with great history, and I feel excited and energized about creating a program that will make all of the people of Hawai'i feel pride for the university and our state. I am looking forward to coming home, to family and friends, and I am going to do my best to contribute to the rich history of Hawai'i and its progress. I want to thank President Greenwood, the Board of Regents and Athletics Director Jim Donovan for giving me this opportunity, and I am looking forward to meeting the student body at the University of Hawai'i and getting them excited about Hawai'i Football.”
 
Chow has a long coaching resume, which includes 39 years of coaching experience collegiately and in the National Football League. Among his 36 years as a collegiate coach, Chow spent 27 years at Brigham Young, one year at North Carolina State, four years at USC, three years at UCLA, and one year at his alma mater, Utah. Chow also spent three years as offensive coordinator for the NFL's Tennessee Titans.
  
A three-time national Assistant Coach of the Year, Chow has served as offensive coordinator for three national championship teams (Brigham Young-1984; USC-2003 and 2004) and has tutored three Heisman Trophy winners (Ty Detmer-BYU, Carson Palmer-USC, and Matt Leinart-USC) and six NFL first-round draft picks (Palmer, Leinart, Philip Rivers-N.C. State, Steve Young-BYU, Jim McMahon-BYU, Marc Wilson-BYU).
 
Chow began his coaching career as head coach at Waialua High School on the North Shore of O'ahu from 1970-72. He then began a 27-year stint at Brigham Young where he served in a variety of positions, including assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, co-offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. Chow called the offensive plays at BYU from 1982-1999.
 
During his tenure at BYU, the Cougars posted a 244-91-3 record, appeared in 22 bowl games, and coached 21 offensive players who earned All-America honors. Brigham Young ranked in the nation's top 10 in total offense in 12 of Chow's 18 years as offensive coordinator.
 
Chow then spent one year as offensive coordinator at North Carolina State in 2000, where he coached NFL first round pick Phillip Rivers to Freshman All-American honors, before moving to USC, where he was part of two national championship teams in four seasons and coached Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. Palmer, the first overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft, left the school as the Pac-10's career leader in passing yards and total offense. Leinart was a two-time first-team All-American who was also named the Walter Camp Player of the Year in 2004.
 
After a successful stint at USC, Chow then took his talents to the NFL as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee. In three seasons, he helped quarterback Vince Young earn NFL Rookie of the Year honors and became the first rookie quarterback to play in the Pro Bowl. In his final season, Chow helped the Titans win 10 games and earn a spot in the NFL Playoffs.
 
Chow moved back to the collegiate ranks as offensive coordinator at UCLA for three seasons before becoming offensive coordinator at Utah at the start of this season.
 
Chow, the recipient of the 2002 Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach, has coached eight of the top 14 NCAA career passing efficiency leaders and 13 of the top 30 single-season passing yardage leaders. Chow has also received the National Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Foundation in 1999 and Athlon in 1993, and the NCAA Division I-A Offensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Monthly in 1996 and 2002.
 
Chow and his wife Diane, have three sons, Carter, Cameron, and Chandler and one daughter, Maile, and five grandchildren.
 
  
The Chow File
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawai'i
Family: Wife Diane. Sons Carter, Cameron, Chandler. Daughter Maile. Five grandchildren.
 
Education
Utah, 1968, Bachelor of Arts in health, physical education and recreation
Utah, 1970, Master's in health, physical education and recreation/special education
Brigham Young, 1979, Ed.D. in educational psychology
 
Playing Experience
Utah, 1965-67, Offensive guard
Saskatchewan Rough Riders (CFL), 1968
 
Coaching Experience
2011, Utah (Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends)
2008-10, UCLA (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2005-07, Tennessee Titans (Offensive Coordinator)
2001-04, USC (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2000, North Carolina State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
1996-99, Brigham Young (Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator)
1990-95, Brigham Young (Assistant Head Coach/Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
1982-89, Brigham Young (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
1976-81, Brigham Young (Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator)
1973-75, Brigham Young (Graduate Assistant)
1970-72, Waialua HS (Head Coach) 
 
Coaching Highlights
Three National Championships
    -Brigham Young (1984)
    -USC (2003, 2004)
Three Heisman Trophy Winners
    -Ty Detmer, Brigham Young (1990)
    -Carson Palmer, USC (2002)
    -Matt Leinert, USC (2004)
Has helped lead teams to 29 bowl games
Has coached six  NFL first-round draft-pick quarterbacks
     Carson Palmer (USC), Matt Leinart (USC), Phillip Rivers (NC State), Steve Young (BYU), Jim McMahon
     (BYU), Marc Wilson (BYU)
Has coached one NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback: Steve Young

Awards and Honors
2002 Broyles Award (Nation's top assistant coach)
Has coached eight of the top 14 NCAA career passing efficiency leaders
Has coached 13 of the top 30 single-season passing yardage leaders
1999 National Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Foundation
1993National Assistant Coach of the Year by Athlon in 1993
NCAA Division I-A Offensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Monthly in 1996 and 2002.
Selected to Utah's All-Century Team as an offensive lineman