Sources: Michigan State to hire Oregon State d-line coach Legi Suiaunoa
Michigan State football is hiring Oregon State defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa, sources confirm to SpartanMag.com. Suiaunoa will join Jonathan Smith’s staff in East Lansing after Oregon State’s bowl game.
The Oregon State defense was stout against the run this season, and defensive line play was critical in posting the No. 14 rush defense in the country. Suiaunoa’s defensive line unit also combined for the nation’s ninth-highest sack total in the country with 36.
Suiaunoa joined Smith’s inaugural staff at Oregon State in 2018 following one season as the Hawai’i defensive coordinator. Suiaunoa was promoted after his first year at Hawaii. He was originally hired as the program’s defensive line coach. Under his tutelage, three Oregon State defensive lineman have earned All-Pac-12 honors.
Prior to his time with Hawaii, Michigan State’s new defensive line coach spent five seasons as defensive line coach at Montana, earning four FCS playoff appearances.
While there, defensive end Tyrone Holmes was named 2015 FCS Defensive Player of the Year. The unanimous All-American finished the season with 81 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks and three forced fumbles. Holmes was drafted in the six round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars the following spring.
Defensive tackle Caleb Kidder earned First Team All-Big Sky honors in 2015, while defensive end Zach Wagenmann earned Big Sky Defensive MVP in 2014.
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The former linebacker began his playing career at Palmomar Junior College in San Marcos, Calif. Suiaunoa transferred to Nevada in 1999 where he would earn a starting role for two seasons.
The Oceanside, Calif., native comes to Michigan State with an extensive West Coast coaching background. Beginning his coaching career as linebacker coach at Palomar in 2002, Suiaunoa then returned to his alma mater, Nevada, working as a graduate assistant during the 2004 season.
From 2005-08, Suiaunoa held the title of defensive line, linebackers and strength and condition coach at at Western Washington.
Suiaunoa was hired by Eastern Oregon in 2009 as the program’s defensive coordinator. After one season, Suiaunoa left for Portland State where he worked with the defensive line.
