Mountain West media days unite former ‘Bows-turned-coaches Chang, Niumatalolo

LAS VEGAS (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Old Trapper Mountain West Football Media Days concluded in Las Vegas Thursday.

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Day two started early Thursday morning with a group picture of all 10 head football coaches. Two of them are University of Hawaii graduates: the school’s current head coach Timmy Chang and San José State’s Ken Niumatalolo.

On Oct. 3, Niumatalolo and his Spartans will travel to Manoa to face Chang’s Rainbow Warriors.

“It’s the one time of the year where we gotta go against each other,” said Chang. “The rest of the time we’re rooting for each other.”

“It’s going to be an exciting time, but I also know that Timmy has done a great job there,” said Niumatalolo. “I’ve seen the crowds there. Earlier maybe the crowds aren’t as big, but every game that I’ve seen on tape, the crowds are packed. The stadium is packed.”

Niumatalolo’s staff consists of a handful of former ‘Bows, including Brian Norwood, and Craig and Billy Ray Stutzmann.

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Chang said, “Coach Kenny, can’t say enough great things about him. Coach Stutz, Billy Ray, those guys they are family.”

Adding to those stakes is former UH quarterback Luke Weaver, who threw the game-winning touchdown in the Hawaii Bowl and announced his transfer to San José State in the offseason.

“I talked to him in his visit and I asked him, ‘Hey, why are you coming here?’ I was impressed that he didn’t have anything bad to say about Hawaii,” Niumatalolo said. “He just talked about, ‘Hey, I just want a chance to play. I’m excited about an opportunity.’ It was more about him and not any negativity.”

While the Spartans are waiting for fall camp to name a starting quarterback, their staff has been thoroughly impressed with what they’ve seen out of Weaver so far this summer.

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