Watch: 8 best things defensive line coach Iona Uiagalelei said after Arizona Wildcats' practice
The JUCO jump
Updated
First-year defensive line coach Iona Uiagalelei wants to establish a pipeline so more Polynesian recruits can play at Arizona, and wants his defensive linemen to be the most energetic unit on the field to "set the tone."
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
Iona Uiagalelei (pronounced Yo-na Yoo-ga-leh-lee) knows that he's in unchartered waters in his first season as Arizona's defensive line coach.
He's never coached at the Division-I level. Nor D-II, and not even D-III, unless you want to count to his graduate assistant career at his alma mater Southern Utah.
He was the defensive coordinator at Mt. San Antonio College since 2006 and the associate head coach since 2010 before coming to Arizona. He's coached several standout players, but his most recognizable one is Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin.
He doesn't have any Pro Bowl linebackers on his roster right now, but he does get to work with returners Dereck Boles, Justin Belknap, Finton Connolly and hybrid outside linebacker Kylan Wilborn. The defensive line showed improvement in 2017, but still finished seventh in sacks and ninth in rush defense in the Pac-12.
In the midst of coaching the defensive line, Uiagalelei wants to establish his presence on the program by adding speed up front, and developing the pipeline for Polynesian. And after speaking to the media following Wednesday's practice, it was discovered that he is also a master chef when it comes to cooking chicken and rice for his players.
Here's the best from Uiagalelei on Wednesday.
The process
UpdatedIona Uiagalelei on how he got offered the defensive line coach position at Arizona: pic.twitter.com/P9XtCsMson
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 5, 2018
Adjusting to new life
UpdatedArizona defensive line coach Iona Uiagalelei on adjusting from coaching JUCO football to D-I: pic.twitter.com/Mf7LMKjABj
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 5, 2018
Never sugarcoat players
UpdatedIona Uiagalelei: “A good coach to me is someone that coached me up, and tells me the truth. That’s the way I am with my players, so I get the most out of them.” pic.twitter.com/oUXBuCN1Ur
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 5, 2018
Recruiting JUCO
UpdatedIona Uiagalelei on recruiting at the JUCO level: pic.twitter.com/EV1yuEtjqV
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 5, 2018
'Example on this defense and this team'
UpdatedIona Uiagalelei says the defensive line is going to be hardest working group for Arizona: “They think we’re a cross country team. ... We’re gonna set the tone. We’re gonna be the example on this defense and this team. That’s the mindset that I try instill on our players.” pic.twitter.com/8t7ZKb85eg
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 5, 2018
Polynesian pipeline
UpdatedIona Uiagalelei says he wants to establish a pipeline to bring more Polynesian recruits to play at Arizona: “That’s the only way I know how to do. That’s what I did at Mt. SAC, I’m gonna get that started in Arizona.” pic.twitter.com/JvR3fP7ypr
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 5, 2018
Home-cooked meals
UpdatedIona Uiagalelei says he brings players over to his house to eat home-cooked meals. His specialty? Chicken (baked, boiled or fried)🍗 and rice🍚. pic.twitter.com/ZNSg20u6um
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 5, 2018
Standouts
UpdatedIona Uiagalelei breaks down which defensive linemen have stood out in spring practice: pic.twitter.com/ErfBEeqKxb
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 5, 2018
