Legi Suiaunoa - Football Coach - Oregon State University Athletics

Legi Suiaunoa

Title:
Defensive Line Coach
Phone:
737-2614

Pronunciation: Leng-ee SOO-ee-ow-noah
Appointment: Defensive Line
Family: Wife, Rose; Two sons and two daughters
Education: Nevada, 2002 – bachelor's degree in general studies administration
Hometown: Oceanside, California

Notables:
4 Number of FCS Playoff appearances
Def. Player of the Year DE Zach Wagenmann, 2014 Big Sky Conference
Buchanan Award DE Tyrone Holmes, one of three finalists for the 2015 Buck Buchanan Award (FCS’ top defensive player).
No. 4 Final national ranking of Palomar JC during his coaching tenure

OREGON STATE (2018-Present)
• Defense allowed nearly 8 fewer points per game in 2021 than 2020
• Opponents gained nearly 75 fewer rush yards per game in 2021 from 2020
• Keonte Schad among team leaders in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss in 2021
• Three OSU defensive lineman have earned All-Pac-12 honors
• Defense allowed 13.2 points fewer per game in 2019 vs. 2018
• Defense allowed 112.3 yards less per game rushing in 2019 vs. 2018
• The team’s 86 tackles-for-loss and 32 sacks in 2019 was the most for a Beaver team since 2008
• Isaac Hodgins named to the Wuerrfel Trophy Watch List (2020)
• Kalani Vakameilalo on the watch list for the 2018 Polynesian Player of the Year
• Appointed Dec. 18, 2017 as defensive line coach

HAWAI’I (2016-17)
• Promoted to defensive coordinator in 2017
• Defensive line coach in 2016
• LB Jahlani Tavai named Mountain West (MW) Second Team in ’17/2nd in MW for tackles (124)
• Lineman Meffy Koloamatangi earned MW Honorable Mention twice
• Lineman Viane Moala selected MW Honorable Mention in ‘17

MONTANA (2011-15)
• The Grizzlies made four FCS playoff appearances
• Associate head coach in 2013 and ’14, and defensive line coach for his entire tenure
• DE Tyrone Holmes consensus All-American in 2015 and finalist for Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Def. MVP). Named FCS Defensive Player Of The Year
• DT Caleb Kidder Big Sky First Team honoree in ’15.
•DE Zach Wagenmann earned Big Sky Defensive MVP in 2014 after setting multiple school records
• Montana’s defense regularly led the league and ranked among nation’s leaders for defense.

PORTLAND STATE (2010)
• Defensive line coach
• Defensive lineman Carl Sommer and Julious Moore earned Big Sky Honorable Mention

EASTERN OREGON (2009)
• Defensive coordinator
• Team finished the year No. 22 nationally
• Won seven games, then the third time in EOU history

WESTERN WASHINGTON (2005-08)
• Defensive line, linebackers, and strength and conditioning coach

NEVADA/PALOMAR JC (2002-04)
• Graduate assistant at Nevada in 2004
• Linebackers coach at Palomar for 2002-03
• Mission Conference champions in 2002 and ranked No. 4 nationally
• 18-4 overall record at Palomar

BOWL TEAMS/FCS PLAYOFFS
2021 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl
2016      Hawai’i Bowl
2015 FCS Playoffs
2014      FCS Playoffs
2013      FCS Playoffs
2011       FCS Playoffs

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Palomar JC/Nevada
Three-year letterman/two-year starting LB at Nevada (1999-2001)
2001 Nevada “Coaches Award” recipient