HONOLULU – New University of Hawai'i head football coach Timmy Chang has begun assembling his inaugural coaching staff with the announcement of seven hires. Four current staff members remain on board, while three new coaches—including two former Rainbow Warriors—join the fray.
 
Jacob Yoro, who has served as a UH assistant the last five years, has been elevated to defensive coordinator. Abraham Elimimian—a former UH teammate of Chang—also stays on staff and will move back to coaching cornerbacks after a one-year stint as running backs coach. Meanwhile, strength & conditioning coach Kody Cooke and video coordinator Colin Shaffer are also retained as members of the Rainbow Warrior staff. 
 
The new coaches joining UH are Chris Brown (inside linebackers), Keiki Misipeka (running backs), and Roman Sapolu(offensive line), who all boast strong Hawai'i ties. Both Brown and Misipeka are former Rainbow Warrior players who were teammates of Chang, while Sapolu is the son of UH great and former NFL standout and Super Bowl Champion Jesse Sapolu. 
 
Chris Brown, Inside Linebackers
Has coached at national prep power Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas the last seven years…served as the team's defensive coordinator the last two seasons…part of Bishop Gorman's back-to-back high school national championship teams in 2015 and '16…has helped guide the Gaels to five state championship during his tenure…also served as the strength & conditioning coach for all of Bishop Gorman's athletic teams…coached 12 All-Americans during his tenure and in 2017 served as a coach for the USA Football national team…a former four-year letterwinner (1999-2002) for the University of Hawai'i…earned all-WAC honors three times while playing linebacker and defensive end….team captain as a senior and was the 2003 Hula Bowl MVP…member of the Baltimore Ravens organization in 2003-04.
 
Chang on Brown: "Chris has been coaching at powerhouse Bishop Gorman for a number of years and has developed young men that I recruited and coached in college. Whenever we talked about Coach Chris, his players had nothing but respect. He played on the Hawai'I team that made one of the greatest turnarounds in NCAA history under Coach June, and was a leader in the years to follow. I couldn't be more excited for our program to have Coach Chris in charge of our linebacker corp."
 
Kody Cooke, Strength & Conditioning
Will enter his third season with the Rainbow Warriors…previously served as a strength coach at Virginia Tech, Arizona State and Tulsa…has helped mold nine teams that have earned bowl bids in his 10 years of coaching…enjoyed a four-year collegiate career as offensive lineman at both Oklahoma and Tulsa.
 
Chang on Cooke: "College football has changed so much over the years and a position that needs the best of the best is strength and conditioning. Kody is one of the best and when he expressed interest in staying, we made sure to make it happen. He's been a difference-maker and winner everywhere he's been in this profession."
 
Abraham Elimimian, Cornerbacks
Will enter his eighth season as a UH coach…returns to the defensive side of the ball after serving as the running backs coach in 2021…has also served under three previous UH head coaches in Norm Chow, Nick Rolovich and Todd Graham….guided a cornerback unit in 2020 that helped UH finish in the top 25 nationally in interceptions and passing yards allowed… has mentored five all-Mountain West defensive backs and four Rainbow Warriors who have gone on to the professional ranks, including current Cincinnati Bengal Trayvon Henderson…also enjoyed coaching stints at Simon Fraser (B.C.), Washington State, SMU, and Crenshaw High School, in his native Los Angeles…a former first-team all-conference cornerback and teammate of Chang at UH (2001-04)…was a free agent with the San Diego Chargers and  Chicago Bears before playing  professionally for the NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals.
 
Chang on Elimimian: "Abe is a Rainbow Warrior through and through. He understands the culture of Hawai'i and is truly entrenched in the Braddahhood. Keeping him here and having him working with our defensive backs again was an idea I didn't have to think twice about. I'm honored to work alongside him at a place we both care so much for."
 
Keiki Misipeka, Running Backs
Has coached at the collegiate, junior college and high school levels….most stops recent stops were at Missouri Southern and Delaware State, where he spent a combined three seasons as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator…had a highly successful run at Garden City Community College in Kansas where he helped lead the Broncbusters to the 2016 junior college national championship… coached and recruited six All-Americans during his two seasons there…also coached at three different prep schools—Silverado (Las Vegas), Farrington (Honolulu) and Samoana (American Samoa)…played two seasons at UH (2001-02) as a running back and special teams standout…joined UH after two seasons at Palomar College in California…a native of American Samoa. 
 
Chang on Misipeka: "Coach Keiki has been grinding through this profession and is one of the most selfless individuals I've met. Since he's started coaching, he's helped countless Polynesian student-athletes pursue opportunities in Hawai'i and on the mainland while playing high school or college football. He's been an advocate for the Polynesian community and will continue developing young men in our running back room."
 
Roman Sapolu, Offensive Line
Comes to UH after three seasons at Fresno State, including the last two as the Bulldog's offensive line coach and run game coordinator….part of a Bulldog squad that won 10 games in 2021 and was nationally ranked…prior to Fresno State, held the same position at Idaho State….in his sole season in 2018, helped mentor offensive tackle Brian Fineanganofo to an All-American season as the Bengal offense tallied its third most yards since their 1981 National Championship season… started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Nebraska for three seasons… played collegiately at Oregon State where he was a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Beavers…son of former UH All-American center Jesse Sapolu, who won  four Super Bowl rings in his time with the San Francisco 49ers…brother London also suited up for the Rainbow Warriors (2010-11).
 
Chang on Sapolu: "Following in the footsteps of his family, Coach Roman has enjoyed coaching success early in his career and brings excitement and energy to our program. He has deep roots in offensive line play. Having coached against him, I was impressed see how well his trench guys both protected the quarterback and opened holes for running backs. Our rich tradition of O-Line success at UH will continue with its leader, Coach Roman Sapolu."
 
Jacob Yoro, Defensive Coordinator
Will enter his sixth season with the Rainbow Warrior staff… has helped UH gain four straight bowl invitations, including a 10-5 record and the program's first-ever Mountain West divisional title in 2019…held the title of co-defensive coordinator in 2020…worked with the linebackers in each of the last four seasons…helped guide Darius Muasau to first-team all-Mountain West honors in each of the last two seasons…has also worked with the edge rushers, nickelbacks and safeties during his tenure…prior to UH, served as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Pacific University in Oregon where his team ranked among the national leaders in points allowed and sacks…also coached at Cal Poly, Montana Western and a trio of Hawai'i high schools in Mililani, Saint Louis and Waipahu.
 
Chang on Yoro: "When I think of stability and respect, I think of Jacob. He brings both and so much more to our coaching staff. I've watched him grow over the years and he's earned the role of being our defensive coordinator. I'm confident he'll guide our players to success and mold our defense into something to be feared."