TONY TUIOTI

Defensive Line

Tony Tuioti joined Dan Lanning’s inaugural staff at Oregon as the defensive line coach on December 23, 2021, after spending the previous three seasons in the same role at Nebraska. A former standout defensive lineman himself at Hawaii, Tuioti has spent several seasons coaching out west at both California and his alma mater.

“Tony is one of the top defensive line coaches in the country,” Lanning said at the time of the hiring, “and he has a tremendous track record both in recruiting and player development. His experience coaching at the NFL and Power 5 levels will be a huge asset to our coaching staff, and his connection and familiarity with the West Coast, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands is extremely valuable. Coach Tuioti is a terrific teacher, and I know our student-athletes are going to absolutely love working with him. Family is extremely important to him, and that really stood out during this process and made it clear he is a great fit for this program.”

In between working for Cal and Hawaii, Tuioti worked for Michigan and the Cleveland Browns. He also spent time early in his career as a high school coach, serving as the head coach at Kalaheo (Hawaii) High School and the defensive coordinator at Silverado (Nev.) High School.

As a player, Tuioti was an All-WAC defensive lineman as a junior and as a senior, He was a key leader for a team that tied for the largest one-year turnaround in NCAA history, going from 0-12 the previous season to a 9-4 mark that included a share of the WAC title.

Nebraska (2019-21)
Prior to joining the Ducks, Tuioti helped Nebraska improve in several categories during his time in Lincoln. In his final season with the team, the Huskers allowed 8.6 fewer points per game and gave up 67.1 fewer yards per game than they did before Tuioti joined the staff. He also developed two NFL Draft picks, Carlos Davis and Khalil Davis.

In 2021, the Huskers allowed just 22.7 points per game, improving by 6.7 points over the 2020 season. Tuioti’s defensive line also helped Nebraska improve its rushing defense by 22.1 yards per game. Ben Stille led the defensive line group with 6.0 TFL and added 1.5 sacks. Ty Robinson contributed to a balanced effort on the line with 4.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks in his second season of college football.

In 2020, the Nebraska defense decreased its yard per rush allowed to 4.2 yards per attempt, an improvement of 0.6 yards per rush over 2019. Stille headlined the defensive front with 27 tackles, 3.0 TFL and 1.5 sacks and earned all-conference accolades. Defensive ends Casey Rogers (25 tackles, 3.0 TFL) and Robinson (17 tackles, 2.0 TFL) both excelled in their first extensive action as Huskers.

Nebraska boasted a strong defensive line in 2019, as the Huskers held three opponents to fewer than 90 rushing yards and three opponents to fewer than 100 passing yards. Individually, five of Nebraska’s six primary defensive linemen set career highs in tackles, while three also established career bests in sacks and tackles for loss. The line combined for 32 TFL and 16.5 sacks. Two of Nebraska’s three starting defensive linemen - Khalil Davis and Darrion Daniels - earned All-Big Ten recognition.

California (2017-18)
Tuioti went to Nebraska after spending two seasons at Cal, where he was part of a staff that produced a dramatic turnaround with the Bear defense. He coached the Bears’ defensive line in 2018 after tutoring the outside linebackers in 2017.

In 2018, Cal ranked in the top 10 nationally in passing defense, interceptions, takeaways and defensive touchdowns, while ranking in the top 20 in total defense, pass efficiency defense and first downs allowed. Cal’s three starting defensive linemen - which included converted offensive lineman Chris Palmer - set career highs in nearly every category under Tuioti’s tutelage while combining for 123 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks and nine breakups. Luc Bequette was an honorable-mention All-Pac 12 selection after tying for the team lead with 5.0 sacks, while Palmer was second on the team with six breakups and Tevin Paul totaled a team-high 11.0 TFLs.

In his first season at Cal in 2017, Tuioti’s outside linebackers played a key role on a Bears’ defense that improved by an average of 40 spots in the 15 of the team defensive statistical categories ranked by the NCAA. His group combined for 11.0 sacks and two of his four starters registered at least 4.5 sacks. Alex Funches also led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss.

Michigan (2016)
Before returning to the West Coast, Tuioti spent a year as Michigan’s director of player personnel. The Wolverines posted a 10-3 record and earned a final No. 10 ranking in Tuioti’s lone season at the school. Tuioti’s efforts helped Michigan land the No. 4 recruiting class in the country according to Rivals. Future NFL Draft picks Rashan Gary, Devin Bush and Josh Uche were among those who committed to Michigan when Tuioti was in Ann Arbor. He also played a critical role in developing the relationships for a satellite camp tour in the summer of 2016 that included American Samoa, Australia and Hawaii among nearly 40 locations.

Cleveland Browns (2014-15)
Before joining the Wolverines, Tuioti was an assistant with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 and 2015, serving as the Browns’ assistant defensive line and quality control coach. In his first season, Cleveland led the NFL in opponent completion percentage, opposing quarterback passer rating and passes defended, while ranking second in interceptions. In his final year with the Browns, Tuioti helped rookie defensive tackle Danny Shelton finish with 36 tackles and four TFLs.

Hawaii (2008-13)
Prior to moving to the NFL, Tuioti spent six seasons on the Hawaii staff. He started as the director of player personnel (2008-09) before being promoted to serve as a defensive assistant coaching the defensive line (2010-11) and linebackers (2012-13) for four seasons. Five of Tuioti’s players earned All-Mountain West or All-Western Athletic Conference honors during his four years as an on-field coach.

In 2013, Tuioti’s final season on the staff, his linebacker group led the team in tackles, TFLs and sacks. Hawaii ranked third in the nation in TFL and eighth in fumble recoveries while leading the WAC in both categories. Both Brandon Daley and Art Laural earned All-Mountain West Honorable Mention honors. The 2012 season, his first coaching linebackers, saw Hawaii rank 11th nationally in pass defense.

In 2011, Tuioti’s defensive line helped the Rainbow Warriors generate 2.69 sacks per game, which led the WAC and tied for 15th nationally. The prior season, his first as an on-field coach, Hawaii won a share of the 2010 Western Athletic Conference championship. Tuioti’s defensive line produced 22.5 of the team’s 30 sacks and the Rainbow Warriors led the nation in takeaways. He coached Kaniela Tuipulotu to back-to-back second-team All-WAC selections on the defensive line.

Silverado (Nev.) High School (2007)
Tuioti moved to Las Vegas to pursue a second master’s degree and then returned to coaching as the defensive coordinator for Silverado High School. The team finished 10-1 and was undefeated in the regular season while winning a division title. Tuioti’s defense allowed just 15.5 points per game and gave up 18 and 12 points in the team’s two playoff games.

Kalaheo (Hawaii) High School (2003-04)
Tuioti’s first full-time coaching job came in the high school ranks. He served as the head coach of Kalaheo High School in Honolulu in 2003 and 2004. Tuioti inherited a winless Kalaheo team and led the Mustangs to the playoffs for the first time in his inaugural season. He was the youngest varsity head coach in the state.

Hawaii (2001-02)
Tuioti’s first coaching position came at his alma mater, where he was a graduate assistant coaching the defense. The Rainbow Warriors reached the first Hawaii Bowl in 2002 after going 10-4 while earning a second place finish in the WAC with a 7-1 league record. In Tuioti’s first season as a graduate assistant, Hawaii went 9-3, including wins over No. 9 BYU and No. 18 Fresno State. Two defensive linemen earned All-WAC honors under Tuioti’s tutelage.

Playing Career and Personal
A four-year letterman at Hawaii, Tuioti was an All-WAC defensive lineman. He is one of two former Rainbow Warriors to win a WAC championship as both a player and coach.

Tuioti earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from Hawaii in 2000. He was a graduate assistant coach during the 2000 and 2001 seasons while earning a master's degree in educational administration (2002). Tuioti also completed work on a second master's degree in special education from UNLV in 2007.

Tuioti and his wife, Keala, have seven children: Teisa, Teivis, Teilor, Teitum, Teimana, Teiyana and Teinia.