New University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa head football coach Timmy Chang was formally introduced at a welcome event on January 28, at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The former UH record-setting quarterback is the 25th head coach in program history.
“This is surreal for me,” Chang said. “…We’re here to build a program in Hawaiʻi that will sustain. I look at those years from 1999 all the way to Colt Brennan and it was fun. It was exciting and the state was behind us. We’re going to need the state. We’re going to need the fans. We’re going to need the local communities, the local businesses to all be a part of this. We’re all one. Those guys will give their hearts out for this state. I’m going to give my heart out for this state. This staff will give their hearts for this state.”
UH President David Lassner and UH Mānoa Athletics Director David Matlin congratulated Chang.
“Welcome home, Timmy,” Lassner said. “I just couldn’t be happier to be here today. I thank you all for coming out here and joining us for this true celebration and the beginning of our future.”
Matlin added, “It’s a special day for Rainbow Warrior football. We welcome a coach who started as a student-athlete right here on the Mānoa campus. He threw 117 touchdown passes, he set a few NCAA records, he enjoyed a legendary career. He’s been gone for 17 years, coached against us in the Mountain West Conference—and beat us a few times and lost a few times. But today he coaches for us.”
Former Rainbow Warrior and Chang’s teammate Michael Lafaele and current Rainbow Warrior wide receiver Jonah Panoke also spoke. Scott Robbs from Spectrum Sports emceed the event.
Chang takes over a program that has earned four consecutive bowl invitations. UH opens the 2022 season at home against the Vanderbilt Commodores from the Southeastern Conference on August 27.
Chang’s coaching history
Chang spent the past five seasons as the wide receiver and tight ends coach at Nevada. During his stint with the Wolf Pack, Chang helped direct one of the most potent offensive attacks on the west coast with Nevada earning a bowl bid in each of the last four seasons. Prior to that he was the offensive coordinator at Emory and Henry College in Virginia in 2016, and the offensive coordinator at Jackson State University 2014–16. Chang got his coaching start as an offensive assistant at Southern Methodist University 2012–14.
Prolific playing career
Chang set the NCAA’s all-time passing (17,072) and total offense (16,910) records during his time at UH 2000–04. The Honolulu native finished his career with 117 total touchdowns, which ranked third nationally at the time. A two-time Hawaiʻi Bowl Most Outstanding Player award winner, Chang led UH to three bowl appearances and a program-record 29 wins at quarterback. In his final season as a Warrior, he was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Award, given to the nation’s top senior quarterback.
Following his record-setting collegiate career, Chang played professional football in the National Football League, Canadian Football League and NFL Europe for four seasons. He retired from professional football in 2009 and returned to Hawaiʻi to complete his bachelor’s degree.
For more on Chang and the Rainbow Warriors, go to the UH Mānoa Athletics website.
