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UTAH STAFF CADE 2009 SUGAR BOWL CHAMPIONS TWO BCS BOWLS IN FIVE YEARS EIGHT CONSECUTIVE BOWL WINS NO. 2 AP RANKING 2008 MWC CHAMPIONS FOUR MWC TITLES I

22008008 NNATIONALATIONAL CCOACHOACH OOFF TTHEHE YYEAREAR KKyleyle WhittinghamWhittingham 5TH YEAR AT UTAH - CAREER RECORD: 37-14 - BOWL RECORD: 4-0

n four years as Utah’s head coach, Kyle coaching duties in HEAD COACHING RECORD I Whittingham has won 73-percent of his 2005, Whittingham was the Ute defensive Year School Overall MWC games, gone 4-0 in bowl games, led Utah to its best season in 115 years of football, coordinator for bowl 2005 Utah 7-5 4-4 wins over Fresno State 2006 Utah 8-5 5-3 engineered the biggest win in school history (1999), USC (2001) and 2007 Utah 9-4 5-3 and been named the National Coach of the Southern Miss (2003), 2008 Utah 13-0 8-0 Year. and the co-head coach in Utah’s BCS-busting 2005 Fiesta Totals Utah 37-14 22-10 Bowl win over Pittsburgh.

UTAH STAFF UTAH The best news is that Whittingham will be He came to Utah as the defensive line coach in 1994 BOWL GAMES (4-0) following his own act. On Dec. 29, 2008, fi ve days before and was promoted to defensive coordinator a year later. Utah soundly beat Alabama in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, In his 15-year tenure, Utah has logged a 123-55 record Year Game (Opponent) he signed a fi ve-year contract extension with the Utes. and played in nine bowl games (winning eight). Since 2005 Emerald (Georgia Tech) For his role in Utah’s 13-0 record and No. 2 national 1994, Utah has been ranked 50 weeks in the AP poll and 2006 Armed Forces (Tulsa) ranking, Whittingham was honored as the 2008 National boasts three top-10 fi nishes (No. 10 in 1994, No. 4 in 2004 2007 Poinsettia (Navy) Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches and No. 2 in 2008). 2008 Sugar (Alabama) Association (AFCA) and the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards On an individual level, Whittingham has coached committee. four All-Americans, including three consensus fi rst- The 2008 Utes—the only FBS team selections: defensive lineman Luther Elliss (1994), team to go the entire season without defensive back Eric Weddle (2006) and place kicker Louie a loss—received 16 fi rst-place votes Sakoda (2008). Sakoda, the only unanimous Consensus and 1,519 total points in the AP poll, All-American in Utah football history, is also the only trailing only Florida, which won the Ute ever to win major fi rst-team All-America honors at BCS National Championship game. two different positions. He was a fi rst-team punter in It was the best ranking in school 2007 (FWAA) and a fi rst-team kicker in 2008 (Consensus). history, as was Utah’s No. 4 fi nal Morgan Scalley was a second-team All-America USA Today fi nish. Utah capped its defensive back in 2004. remarkable year with a 31-17 Sugar Whittingham has seen his players win conference Bowl rout over an Alabama team that Player of the Year honors on defense, special teams and had spent fi ve weeks at No. 1. offense. A Ute won MWC Defensive Player of the Year In the fi rst 13-win season in three years running in Scalley (2004) and Weddle (2005- school history, Utah beat four top 06), while Sakoda was a three-time MWC Special Teams 25 opponents, among them two that Player of the Year (2006-08). Quarterback Brian Johnson fi nished in the top 10. An undefeated was named the 2008 MWC Offensive Player of the Year. Kyle Whittingham earned the AFCA league record helped Whittingham win Mountain West Whittingham has mentored 36 fi rst-team all-conference and Paul “Bear” Bryant 2008 National Conference Coach of the Year honors. players as either a defensive coach or head coach at Utah. Coach of the Year award. He is His 37-14 career ledger includes a 7-3 advantage In addition, a Ute has won the MVP award in pictured here with Grant Teaff, over BCS schools and bowl wins against Georgia all four bowl games with Whittingham at the helm. In exectutive director of the AFCA. Tech (2005), Tulsa (2006), Navy (2007) and Alabama 2005, Weddle was named Defensive MVP and Travis (2009/2008 LaTendresse Offensive MVP of the Emerald Bowl; in season). 2006, Sakoda was the Armed Forces Bowl MVP; in 2007, Utah’s Sugar Brian Johnson was the Offensive MVP and Joe Dale the Bowl upset marked Defensive MVP of the Poinsettia Bowl; and Johnson the second time repeated a year later, winning MVP honors at the 2009 the school earned Sugar Bowl. a BCS bowl Whittingham has sent 27 players to the NFL—16 as invitation and draft picks and 11 as free agents. Whittingham protégés came away with a on active NFL rosters are Freddie Brown, Martail Burnett, convincing victory. Jonathan Fanene, Quinton Ganther, Bradon Godfrey, Whittingham Ma’ake Kemoeatu, Paul Kruger, John Madsen, Brice was transitioning McCain, Sione Pouha, Brett Ratliff, Josh Savage, Sean from defensive Smith, Paul Soliai, Kelly Talavou and Weddle. coordinator to head As a fi rst-year head coach in 2005, Whittingham coach when the inherited a team missing many of the biggest stars off 2004 Utes trounced the 12-0 2004 team, including fi ve draft picks (among Pittsburgh 35-7 in them No. 1 NFL draft pick and Heisman Trophy fi nalist the Fiesta Bowl. Alex Smith). Nonetheless Utah went on to beat No. 24 Front Row: Kylie. Back Row: Utah owns the longest current bowl win streak ranked Georgia Tech in the Emerald Bowl. A year later, Melissa, Jamie, Kyle, Tyler and in the nation at eight games and Whittingham has his 2006 team capped an 8-5 season with a win over Tulsa Alex. had a hand in all of them. Prior to assuming the head in the Armed Forces Bowl. In 2007, Utah (9-4) overcame

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KKYLEYLE WHITTINGHAMWHITTINGHAM

numerous injuries to win eight of its last nine games and beat Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl. WHITTINGHAM’S COACHING CHRONOLOGY Whittingham’s Utah legacy began in 1994, when he coached the defensive line for a team that Year School Assignment led the league in every defensive category. 1985 Brigham Young Graduate Assistant Citrus In 1995, he became the defensive coordinator, 1986 Brigham Young Graduate Assistant Freedom replacing his father Fred, who left for a job in the 1987 College of Eastern Utah Defensive Coordinator 1988-91 Idaho State Linebackers/Special Teams NFL. Utah led the conference in total defense three

1992-93 Idaho State Defensive Coordinator UTAH STAFF times under his direction (2000, 2001 and 2002). In 1994 Utah Defensive Line Freedom 2002, Utah ranked No. 1 in the MWC in total defense, 1995 Utah Defensive Coordinator/Safeties scoring defense and rushing defense. Utah led the 1996 Utah Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Copper league in scoring defense four times from 1999-2005 1997 Utah Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers (ranking No. 2 in 2003, 2004 and 2005). The Ute 1998 Utah Defensive Coordinator/Safeties defense recorded 14 top-20 statistical rankings from 1999 Utah Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Las Vegas 1995-2004. 2000 Utah Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Whittingham began his coaching career in 2001 Utah Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Las Vegas 1985-86 as a graduate assistant at Brigham Young. 2002 Utah Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers He went from there to the College of Eastern Utah as 2003 Utah Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Liberty the defensive coordinator in 1987. Next came Idaho 2004 Utah Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Fiesta (2005)* State, where he spent six years (1988-93)—his last 2005 Utah Head Coach Emerald two as the defensive coordinator. 2006 Utah Head Coach Armed Forces A linebacker for Brigham Young from 1978-81, 2007 Utah Head Coach Poinsettia Whittingham earned fi rst-team all-WAC and WAC 2008 Utah Head Coach Sugar (2009) Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1981. He *Co-head coach at the 2005 Fiesta Bowl was inducted into the Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame in 2008 for his success in the San Diego-based bowl game. He played in the fi rst four Holiday Bowls and WHITTINGHAM VS. ALL OPPONENTS was named Defensive MVP of the 1981 game. He Air Force...... 3-1 Michigan ...... 1-0 Tulsa...... 1-0 played in the Hula and Japan Bowls, then launched Alabama ...... 1-0 Navy ...... 1-0 UCLA ...... 1-1 a professional career that included stints with the Arizona ...... 1-0 New Mexico ...... 2-2 UNLV ...... 3-1 Denver Broncos (1982 training camp) and the U.S. Boise State ...... 0-1 North Carolina ...... 0-1 Utah State...... 4-0 Football League (USFL) Denver Gold (1983) and Brigham Young...... 2-2 Northern Arizona...... 1-0 Weber State ...... 1-0 New Orleans Breakers (1984). He played on the Los Colorado State ...... 3-1 Oregon State ...... 1-1 Wyoming...... 3-1 Angeles Rams’ replacement squad in 1987. Georgia Tech ...... 1-0 San Diego State ...... 3-1 Totals 37-14 Whittingham graduated from BYU in 1984 and Louisville...... 1-0 TCU ...... 3-1 received his master’s in 1987. Born Nov. 21, 1959, he was raised in Provo, Utah. He is married to the FROM WHITT TO THE NFL former Jamie Daniels. They have four children: Tyler, Melissa, Alex and Kylie. Player NFL Team Position Jesse Boone Cincinnati (free agent), Oakland Offensive Line Freddie Brown Cincinnati (7th round) Wide Receiver Andre Dyson Tennessee (2nd round), Seattle, N.Y. Jets Defensive Back Luther Elliss Detroit (1st round), Denver Defensive Line Jonathan Fanene Cincinnati (7th round) Defensive Line Steve Fifi ta Miami (free agent), New England Defensive Line John Frank Philadelphia (6th round), N.Y. Giants Defensive Line Quinton Ganther Tennessee (7th round) Running Back Phil Glover Tennessee (7th round), Indianapolis Linebacker Bradon Godfrey Atlanta (free agent) Wide Receiver Ma’ake Kemoeatu Baltimore (free agent), Carolina Defensive Line Paul Kruger Baltimore (2nd round) Defensive Line John Madsen Oakland (free agent), Cleveland Tight End Brice McCain (6th round) Defensive Back Arnold Parker Seattle (free agent) Defensive Back Sione Pouha N.Y. Jets (3rd round) Defensive Line Brett Ratliff N.Y. Jets (free agent), Cleveland Quarterback Antwoine Sanders Baltimore (7th round) Defensive Back Lauvale Sape Buffalo (6th round) Defensive Line Josh Savage Tampa Bay (free agent), Tennessee, New Orleans Defensive Line Richard Seals N.Y. Jets (free agent) Defensive Line Sean Smith Miami (2nd round) Defensive Back Paul Soliai Miami (4th round) Defensive Line Pene Talamaivao Buffalo (free agent), San Diego Defensive Line Kyle Whittingham has won 73 percent of his games Kelly Talavou Seattle (free agent), Baltimore Defensive Line in four years as the Utes’ head coach, including Spencer Toone Tennessee (7th round) Linebacker all four bowl games. He is entering his 16th year Eric Weddle San Diego (2nd round) Defensive Back overall at Utah.

WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 9955 CADE 2009 SUGAR BOWL CHAMPIONS TWO BCS BOWLS IN FIVE YEARS EIGHT CONSECUTIVE BOWL WINS NO. 2 AP RANKING 2008 MWC CHAMPIONS FOUR MWC TITLES I

AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHOACH DDaveave SchrammSchramm OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR / QUARTERBACKS - 5TH YEAR

ave Schramm was appointed as the to the NCAA Division COACHING EXPERIENCE D offensive coordinator on January I-AA championship game. In 2003, Schramm 2005- Utah 17, 2009 after four years as Utah’s running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. coached fi rst-team All- 2009 Offensive Coordinator America tackle Dylan Quarterbacks Schramm changed position assignments McFarland, who later 2005-08 Running Backs with the promotion and will now coach the played for the Buffalo Recruiting Coordinator quarterbacks. Bills. Offensive tackle Cory Proctor was named to the 2004 2003-04 Montana all-Big Sky fi rst team and was a fi rst-team All-American by Tight Ends UTAH STAFF UTAH The longtime college coach has prepped extensively Collegesportsreport.com. Offensive Tackles for an offensive coordinator position – overseeing the tight Schramm’s fi rst coaching job was at Patrick Henry Recruiting Coordinator ends, offensive line and running backs at various times High School in San Diego, where he was an assistant from 2002 Southwest Texas State over the course of his 21-year college coaching career. In 1984-87. He began his college coaching career in 1988 at Assistant Head Coach addition, he has played an important role in the game Austin Peay, coaching the running backs and tight ends. Running Backs planning since joining the Utah staff in 2005. He spent a season as a graduate assistant at Nebraska in 1990-2001 San Diego State In just four years, Schramm mentored two of Utah’s 1989, coaching the secondary. 1997-2001 Running Backs seven all-time 1,000-yard rushers: Quinton Ganther (1,120 1994-96 Tight Ends yards in 2005) and Darrell Mack (1,204 yards in 2007). 1993 Safeties Ganther now plays for the Tennessee Titans. 1992 Offensive Line Operating out of the spread, Utah’s run game has 1990-2000 Recruiting Coordinator ranked in the top half of the conference during Schramm’s 1989 Nebraska time – placing second in the league in 2007 with a 167.5 Graduate Assistant per-game average. Defense While he relinquished his duties as the recruiting 1988 Austin Peay coordinator when he took over as offensive coordinator, Running Backs Schramm had considerable success in that area as well. His Tight Ends 2006 and 2008 signing classes were touted as “the top non- 1984-87 Patrick Henry HS (Calif.) BCS conference class in the nation” by online recruiting Assistant Coach service Rivals.com. Most of his career has been spent as a recruiting POSTSEASON GAMES coordinator (15 years) and running backs coach (10 years). His longest stay was at San Diego State from 1990-2001, 1990 Fiesta Bowl where he was the recruiting coordinator for his fi rst 11 1991 Freedom Bowl years, and also coached the offensive line (1992), safeties 1998 Las Vegas Bowl (1993), tight ends (1994-96) and running backs (1997-2001). 2004 I-AA NCAA Schramm helped develop two of the top running Championship Game backs in SDSU history: Larry Ned, a 2001 second-team All- American, and Jonas Lewis, who fi nished his career third 2005 Emerald Bowl on the school’s career rushing charts. In 1993, he coached 2006 Armed Forces Bowl fi rst-team all-conference safety Ricky Parker. RECRUITING AREA 2007 Poinsettia Bowl In 2002, Schramm went to Southwest Texas State 2008 (2009) Sugar Bowl (now Texas State-San Marcos) as the assistant head coach San Diego, Riverside, Calif. and running backs coach. There, he coached Lee Davis, the 2002 Southland PLAYING CAREER Clockwise from Conference Schramm’s undergraduate career was spent at Cornell top right: Dave, scoring leader (Iowa), Grossmont Junior College and Adams State (Colo.). D.J., Dusty and and an all- As a freshman quarterback at Cornell, he led Division Bonnie. conference player. III in touchdown passes and helped the Rams to a No. 1 Schramm’s national ranking in total offense. He fi nished his career at next stop was Adams State. Montana, where he coached the EDUCATION offensive tackles San Diego State, 1988 and tight ends, Bachelor’s in physical education and served as the recruiting PERSONAL DATA coordinator from Hometown: San Diego, Calif. 2003-04. Montana Birthdate: July 20, 1963 went 12-3 in 2004 Family: Wife Bonnie. Twin sons, D.J. and Dusty. and advanced

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AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHOACH KKalanialani FFifiifi ttaa SSitakeitake DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR / LINEBACKERS - 5TH YEAR

alani Sitake, announced as the Ute breaking his leg against COACHING EXPERIENCE K defensive coordinator on Dec. 7, 2008 Wyoming. His team

awards included UTAH STAFF 2005- Utah during the team’s BCS Selection Show party, Football Scholar-Athlete 2009 Defensive Coordinator formally began his new duties the day after of the Year in 1998, Linebackers Utah beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Impact Player of the 2005-08 Linebackers Year in 1999, and team 2003-04 Southern Utah Sitake (pronounced sih-ta-kay) is believed to be the captain and Most Valuable Running Back in 2000. He 2004 Offensive Line fi rst Tongan ever appointed to a defensive coordinator went to the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent in 2001, Tight Ends position at an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision school. but was forced to retire due to a back injury. 2003 Running Backs He earned the promotion after four years spent coaching Tight Ends the Ute linebackers – a position he will continue to EDUCATION 2002 Brigham Young oversee. Brigham Young, 2000 Graduate Assistant Just 33 years old, Sitake is nonetheless prepared Bachelor of Arts in English Defense to call the shots on defense. He has played a signifi cant 2001 Eastern Arizona role in Utah’s game planning and play calling, even as a Defensive Backs position coach, and has a complete understanding of the PERSONAL DATA Special Teams defensive philosophy that has been in place at Utah for Hometown: Laie, Hawaii and Provo, Utah Coordinator the past 15 years. Birthplace: Nukualofa, Tonga Sitake has developed one of the fi nest linebacking Attended Kirkwood HS in St. Louis, Mo. BOWL GAMES corps in the league in his fi rst four years. His credits Birthdate: Oct. 10, 1975 include an MWC tackle leader and fi rst-team all-league Family: Married to the former Timberly Skye Friddle. 2005 Emerald Bowl fi rst selection, as well as two second-team picks. Spencer Daughters Skye Marie Va’etolufatu and Sadie Rose 2006 Armed Forces Bowl Toone led the conference in tackles in 2005 and earned a Halaki’umata. 2007 Poinsettia Bowl place on the all-MWC fi rst team before being drafted by 2008 (2009) Sugar Bowl the Tennessee Titans. In 2006, Joe Jiannoni won second- team all-conference honors – a feat Stevenson Sylvester achieved last year. Sylvester will vie for All-America honors this season. Prior to joining the Ute staff, Sitake spent two seasons at Southern Utah from 2003-04. He coached the Thunderbird running backs and tight ends in 2003, and the offensive line and tight ends in 2004. He began his career at Eastern Arizona in 2001 as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. He coached two junior college All-Americans that year, with cornerback Walt Williams making the fi rst team and Donta Bright earning second-team All-America honors. In 2002, Sitake went to Brigham Young as a defensive graduate assistant.

RECRUITING AREA Hawaiian Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Los Angeles

PLAYING CAREER Sitake started at fullback all four years of a Brigham Young career that spanned seven years. He played as a freshman in 1994, followed by an LDS church mission. He From left: KalaniKalani, Skye, Skye Timberly returned for the 1997 season and started the fi rst three and Sadie. games before undergoing back surgery and redshirting. He was a regular in the starting lineup in 1998, 1999 and 2000 – missing the last two games of 1999 after

WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 9977 CADE 2009 SUGAR BOWL CHAMPIONS TWO BCS BOWLS IN FIVE YEARS EIGHT CONSECUTIVE BOWL WINS NO. 2 AP RANKING 2008 MWC CHAMPIONS FOUR MWC TITLES I

AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHOACH AAaronaron AlfordAlford RUNNING BACKS - 3RD YEAR

fter two years, two all-conference assistant at Kent State COACHING EXPERIENCE A corners and a role in a fi rst-place before going to SUU in 1999 as the cornerbacks 2007- Utah national defensive ranking, Aaron Alford has coach. 2009 Running Backs switched sides and will coach the running After graduating 2007-08 Cornerbacks backs in 2009. A series of coaching changes from Colorado State in 2004-06 Akron following Utah’s Sugar Bowl win last season 1997, Alford worked Defensive Backs precipitated his move. with special education students at East Middle School 2002 Wyoming in Colorado Springs. He was an administrative assistant Defensive Backs UTAH STAFF UTAH Alford (pronounced al-ford) mentored the best at the United States Olympic Training Center in his 2001 Western Illinois cornerback tandem in the Mountain West Conference hometown of Colorado Springs in 1998. Defensive Backs during his two years with the Ute defense. Brice McCain 1999-00 Southern Utah and Sean Smith won fi rst-team all-conference honors Defensive Backs in 2008 – a season in which Utah led the league in 1998 Kent State interceptions with 19 – and McCain was second-team Graduate Assistant all-league as a junior. Both players were chosen in the 2009 NFL Draft: BOWL GAMES Smith went to Miami in the second round and McCain was selected by Houston in the sixth round. 2005 Motor City Bowl Smith led the Utes in interceptions both years 2007 Poinsettia Bowl under Alford – totaling nine picks from 2007-08. He 2008 (2009) Sugar Bowl placed second in the league in both interceptions (5) and passes defended (14) in 2008. McCain graduated as the sixth-leading pass defl ector in Utah history, with 21 pass breakups in his career. The corner position played a big role in Utah’s national title in pass effi ciency defense in 2007. The Utes also ranked in the top 20 nationally in pass effi ciency defense last year. Alford will start a new page in his career with the running backs, having coached the defensive backs for his entire career. Most recently, he served as defensive backs coach at Akron from 2004-06. The Zips won the 2005 Mid American Conference championship and played in the Motor City Bowl. It was Akron’s fi rst league title and its fi rst bowl appearance. The Zips ranked 16th in the nation in pass defense in 2005, allowing 180.85 passing RECRUITING AREA yards per game. The DFW Metro-Plex, east Texas secondary also fared well in 2006, ranking 38th in the nation in PLAYING CAREER pass defense (186.17 Played defensive back for Colorado State, lettering in ypg). 1993. Prior to his three years at Akron, Alford EDUCATION was an assistant coach Colorado State, 1997 at Wyoming (2002), Bachelor’s in exercise and sport science Western Illinois (2001) Southern Utah, 2003 and Southern Utah Master’s in education (1999-2000) – coaching the defensive backs at PERSONAL DATA each school. He took a Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo. year off from coaching From left: SamSam, Linda, Linda MaxMax, Birthdate: July 13, 1974 in 2003 to earn a master’s degree in education from Aaron and Elijah. Family: Married to the former Linda Stover, a native of Southern Utah, where he also worked as the school’s Park City, Utah. They are the parents of three children: director of athletic-academic services. Alford began his Elijah, and twins Max and Sam. coaching career as a student coach at Colorado State in 1996. He spent the 1998 season as a defensive graduate

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AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHOACH JJayay HHillill TIGHT ENDS / SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR - 5TH YEAR

n four years as a Utah assistant, Jay PLAYING CAREER COACHING EXPERIENCE I Hill has coached two Consensus All- Hill started for the Utes

from 1998-99, after UTAH STAFF 2005- Utah Americans, two Mountain West Conference transferring from Ricks 2007- Tight Ends Players of the Year and three fi rst-team all- College, where he was a Special Teams Coord. conference players. He also has a national 1997 junior college All- 2005-06 Cornerbacks statistical title on his resume. Special Teams Co-Coord. American and the team’s defensive MVP. His senior year at Utah, he led the MWC in interceptions and was named 2001-04 Utah Hill, Utah’s special teams coordinator since joining Utah’s Defensive MVP and to the all-MWC second team. 2004 Administrative Assistant the staff in a full-time capacity (co-coordinator in 2005 2003 Graduate Assistant The two-time academic all-conference selection won a and 2006), is in his third year doubling as the tight ends National Football Foundation Unsung Hero Award in Defense coach. His fi rst two years, he managed the cornerbacks. 2002 Graduate Assistant 1999. He later played briefl y in the XFL for the Orlando His awards include being named a fi nalist for 2008 Rage. He signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Defense Special Teams Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop 2001 Graduate Assistant Bills in 2000. and a listing in the Rivals.com Class of 2009 Top 25 Offense recruiters. EDUCATION Consensus All-Americans coached by Hill were Utah, 2000 BOWL GAMES defensive back Eric Weddle in 2006 and kicker Louie Bachelor’s in Spanish Sakoda in 2008. Sakoda, the fi rst unanimous Consensus 2001 Las Vegas Bowl All-American in Utah football history, was also a fi rst- Utah, 2005 2003 Liberty Bowl team All-America punter in 2007 (FWAA, CBSSports), Master’s in ESS/Sport Psychology 2005 (2004) Fiesta Bowl and the school’s fi rst Lou Groza and Ray Guy fi nalist in 2005 Emerald Bowl 2008. Weddle and Sakoda combined to win fi ve MWC PERSONAL DATA 2006 Armed Forces Bowl Player of the Year awards – Weddle winning defensive Birthdate: Mar. 16, 1975 2007 Poinsettia Bowl MVP in 2005 and 2006, and Sakoda earning the league’s Hometown: Lehi, Utah 2008 (2009) Sugar Bowl top special teams honor from 2006-08. Family: Married to the former Sara Kern. Daughters, Weddle now plays for the San Diego Chargers, who Ashtyn and Alayna; son, Jacob. selected him in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. First-team all-MWC players of Hill’s include kicker Dan Beardall in 2005, Weddle in 2005 and 2006, and Sakoda as the punter in 2007 and the punter and kicker in 2008. Hill coached the conference’s leading punt returner in 2007 – Derrek Richards – a second-team all-league selection. With Hill’s oversight, the 2006 Utes led the nation in net punting, and in 2007 and 2008, they led the conference in kickoff coverage. Hill’s coaching career has been spent entirely at Utah. As a fi rst-year offensive graduate assistant in 2001, he worked with receiver Cliff Russell, who became a third-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins. The next season, he apprenticed with the defensive line. In 2003, he coached the cornerbacks in a graduate assistant role, among them Arnold Parker, who later played in the NFL for Seattle and San Francisco. Hill was a football administrative assistant in 2004.

RECRUITING AREA Idaho, Utah, Las Vegas ClockwiseCl k i from f top t left: l ft Jay, J Sara, S Ashtyn, Alayna and Jacob.

WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 9999 CADE 2009 SUGAR BOWL CHAMPIONS TWO BCS BOWLS IN FIVE YEARS EIGHT CONSECUTIVE BOWL WINS NO. 2 AP RANKING 2008 MWC CHAMPIONS FOUR MWC TITLES I

AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHOACH BBlakelake MMilleriller OFFENSIVE LINE - 1ST YEAR

lake Miller may have pulled up some Conference – at the time, COACHING EXPERIENCE B deep roots when he signed on as Utah’s their best league fi nish as offensive line coach in February of 2009, but an NCAA I-AA member. 2009- Utah His fi rst college 2009 Offensive Line they will assist him in his new job. Miller, job was at Northwestern 2007-08 Rice who has spent most of his coaching career in State (La.) from 1997- Offensive Line Texas, provides the Utes a crucial tie in a state 99 as the offensive line Run Game Coordinator they heavily recruit. coach. Northwestern State won conference championships 2004-06 Texas State in 1997 and 1998. The Demons qualifi ed for the I-AA 2006 Offensive Line playoffs both years, advancing to the semifi nals in 1998 UTAH STAFF UTAH He offers more than just geographical desirability. and fi nishing with a No. 3 national ranking. Miller coached 2004-05 Co-Offensive Coordinator Miller comes to Utah after two years as the offensive two fi rst-team All-Americans and three fi rst-team all- Offensive Line line coach and run game coordinator at Rice University, conference players in his three years at the school. 2003 SMU which enjoyed its best season in school history in 2008. His coaching start was as a high school assistant in Offensive Line He will also draw from his past experience as an offensive Louisiana (Episcopal High) and Texas (Kilgore High) from 2000-02 Texas State coordinator, as well as his playing days at LSU (where 1994-97. 2001-02 Offensive Coordinator he was an all-Southeastern Conference center) and in the NFL. He has postseason coaching experience at both the Offensive Line RECRUITING AREA 2000 Offensive Line NCAA FBS and FCS levels, including the 2008 Central Texas, Louisiana 1997-99 Northwestern State – the fi rst bowl win by Rice since 1954. Offensive Line The Owls went 10-3 in 2008 and were the 2008 Conference USA West co-champions. The 10 wins tied PLAYING CAREER 1995-96 Kilgore HS (Texas) the most ever at the school – a record that had stood since A four-year letterman and two-year starting center during 1994 Episcopal HS (La.) 1949. his undergraduate days at LSU, Miller was a 1990 fi rst- Rice fi nished in the top 10 in several national team all-SEC selection and LSU’s Most Valuable Offensive statistical categories, including No. 5 in passing offense Lineman in 1989 and 1990. He played in the 1990 Blue/ POSTSEASON GAMES (327.2 ypg), No. 8 in scoring offense (41.3 ppg) and No. 10 Gray College All-Star game and the 1991 East/West Shrine in total offense (470.9 ypg). Rice also ranked sixth in the game. He was drafted in the seventh round by the New 1997 NCAA I-AA Playoffs NCAA in fi rst downs per game (25.9) and 10th in third England Patriots and played three seasons in the NFL with 1998 NCAA-IAA Semifi nals down conversion percentage (51.1%). New England, Detroit (1992) and the New York Giants 2005 NCAA Semifi nals (FCS) Miller’s offensive line blocked for a passing game (1993). His best season was in 1992, when he played in 12 2008 Texas Bowl that featured 2008 fi rst-team All-America receiver Jarrett games for Detroit and started fi ve. Dillard and quarterback Chase Clement, the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year. Miller coached two second- EDUCATION team all-conference offensive linemen – Robby Heos in LSU, 1993 2007 and David Berken in 2008. Bachelor’s in general studies He went to Rice after the second of two stints at Texas State, where he PERSONAL DATA coached from 2002-04 and 2004-06. He Hometown: Alexandria, La. spent the 2003 season as the offensive Birthdate: Aug. 23, 1968 line coach at SMU. Family: Wife Melissa. Daughter Sophia and son Nathan. Miller served in a coordinator role for four of his six seasons at Texas State—serving as the OL coach the entire time. During his time at the San Marcos, Texas, school, he coached three fi rst-team all-conference players and a second-team All-American. In 2005, he fashioned one of the nation’s best ground attacks for a Texas State team that went 11-3, tied for the Southland Conference title, advanced to the NCAA semifi nals and fi nished No. 4 in the nation. The Bobcats ranked No. 15 in rushing offense (228.43 ypg), No. 8 Clockwise from top right: Blake, in scoring offense (37.0 ppg) and No. 11 Sophia, Nathan and Melissa. in total offense (439.07 ypg). In 2006, his last year at Texas State, the Bobcats led the conference in total offense. Miller also enjoyed success at Texas State in 2000- 02. He was the offensive line coach in 2000 and also held the title of offensive coordinator in 2001-02. In 2000, the Bobcats went 7-4 and placed second in the Southland

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AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHOACH JJohnohn PPeaseease ASSISTANT HEAD COACH / DEFENSIVE LINE - 1ST YEAR

ohn Pease, a 19-year NFL assistant PLAYING CAREER COACHING EXPERIENCE J coach who also has 15 years of college Pease played football

at Utah from 1963-64, UTAH STAFF 2009- Utah coaching experience, was lured out of earning letters both 2009 Assistant Head Coach retirement by the prospect of coaching Utah’s years. He was elected Defensive Line defensive line. Pease, who retired from the as the team’s Most 2004-05 New Orleans Saints NFL after the 2005 season, also signed on as Inspirational Player Defensive Line Utah’s assistant head coach. in 1964. Pease came to Utah from Fullerton Community 1995-2002 Jacksonville Jaguars College, where he was a junior college All-America 2001-02 Defensive Coordinator Pease’s lengthy NFL coaching career was spent with halfback in 1961 and linebacker in 1962. He was inducted Assistant Head Coach New Orleans and Jacksonville. He coached in the AFC into the California Community College Hall of Fame in Defensive Line playoffs eight times – making four appearances with each 1999. 1995-2000 Defensive Line team – including the 1996 and 1999 AFC Championship 1986-94 New Orleans Saints games with Jacksonville. EDUCATION Defensive Line Pease coached in New Orleans for 11 years in two Utah, 1964 1985 Baltimore Stars separate terms: 1986-1994 and 2004-05. Between stints as Bachelor’s degree in physical education Defensive Line the Saints’ defensive line coach, Pease spent eight years 1983-84 Philadelphia Stars in Jacksonville, where he coached the defensive line from PERSONAL DATA Defensive Line 1995-2002. In the 2001 and 2002 seasons, he was also the Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa. 1978-82 Washington Jaguars’ defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Birthdate: Oct. 14, 1943 Defensive Line Before retiring, Pease led all active NFL coaches Family: He and his wife, Chris—also a Utah alum—have 1977 Utah in career sack production (811). In 1996 and 1999, he residences in Salt Lake City and Jacksonville, Fla. He has Linebackers coached in the Pro Bowl, and in 2008, he was the defensive two daughters and four grandsons. 1974-76 Long Beach State coordinator for the West team in the East-West Shrine Linebackers Game. 1970-74 Fullerton Community Pease joined the NFL ranks after three years coaching College the defensive line for the USFL’s Philadelphia-Baltimore Defensive Coordinator Stars. The Stars played in the championship game all three Linebackers years and were the USFL champions in 1984 and 1985. 1968-69 Utah Pease embarked on a career in the pro leagues Graduate Assistant after 15 years as a college assistant. Five of those years were spent as the defensive line coach for the University of Washington from 1978-82, a time frame in which the BOWL GAMES Huskies went 46-13 and played in four bowl games. Washington played in back-to-back Rose Bowls, winning 1979 Sun Bowl the 1982 game (1981 season). Every one of the senior 1980 (1981) Rose Bowl starters during Pease’s tenure at Washington went on to 1981 (1982) Rose Bowl play in the NFL. 1982 Aloha Bowl His return to coaching marks Pease’s third appearance on Utah’s coaching staff. He was a graduate assistant in the 1968 and 1969 seasons, and in 1977, he coached the Ute linebackers. His other college coaching experience came at Fullerton Community College (1970- 74), where he was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and Long Beach State (1974-76) as the linebackers coach.

RECRUITING AREA San Fernando Valley to Santa Barbara, Calif., and Arizona Kyle Whttingham (left) and John Pease (right).

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AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHOACH AAaronaron RRoderickoderick WIDE RECEIVERS - 5TH YEAR

n four years as Utah’s receivers coach, receiver in A.J. Smith. COACHING EXPERIENCE I Aaron Roderick has implemented a multi- Smith ranked fi fth in the country in receptions 2005- Utah faceted approach that has proved all but per game (7.18 avg.). Wide Receivers unstoppable. Roderick is especially adept at In his fi rst year 2003-04 Southern Utah getting the most from his receivers’ varying as the SUU offensive Offensive Coordinator physical profi les and skill sets. coordinator, Roderick Quarterbacks implemented the spread offense that led to school Recruiting Coordinator Last season, 6’4” Freddie Brown led Utah with records for passes attempted and completed, and also 2002 Snow College UTAH STAFF UTAH 77 receptions (second most in school history), but produced a handful of single-game top-10 performances. Running Backs 5’7” Jereme Brooks also caught 30 balls and 5’10” Prior to his stint at SUU, Roderick coached the 1999-01 Brigham Young Brent Casteel hauled in 43 passes. Flashy David Reed running backs at Snow College in 2002. He began his Graduate Assistant averaged a team-best 17.1 yards per catch, while steady coaching career as a graduate assistant at BYU, assisting Offense Bradon Godfrey went over the middle for most of his 56 with the linebackers in 1999 and the receivers in 2000 and

receptions. 2001. BOWL GAMES Brown and Godfrey’s numbers marked the third season under Roderick in which at least 1999 Motor City Bowl two Ute receivers caught 50 or more balls. 2001 Liberty Bowl Even while employing multiple receivers 2005 Emerald Bowl (last year, seven wideouts caught passes), 2006 Armed Forces Bowl individuals have also thrived under Roderick’s 2007 Poinsettia Bowl tutelage. 2008 (2009) Sugar Bowl Casteel (2006) and Brown (2008) both won second-team all-conference honors, while Derrek Richards (2006-07) was a two-time honorable mention pick. Travis LaTendresse was named the Offensive MVP of the 2005 Emerald Bowl for his bowl-record 16 receptions and 214 yards against Georgia Tech. Roderick has sent three former Utes to the NFL. The latest are Brown, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft by Cincinnati, and Godfrey, a free agent signee of Atlanta. John Madsen played his senior year for Roderick before going to Oakland in 2006 as a free agent. Madsen played in 35 games (starting four) in three seasons at Oakland and now plays for the Browns. RECRUITING AREA Roderick came to Utah after two seasons as the Orange County, San Bernardino offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and PLAYING CAREER recruiting coordinator at Roderick was an All-America junior college receiver at Southern Utah from 2003- Ricks College from 1994-95 before transferring to BYU, 04. Southern Utah ranked where he redshirted in 1996. He started for the Cougars No. 21 in the nation in total as a receiver and returner in 1997 and 1998. He was also offense in 2004, averaging an academic all-conference selection. 412.5 yards per game. The Thunderbirds also averaged EDUCATION 270.5 passing yards per game Brigham Young, 1998 (14th in the nation) to set a Bachelor’s in sociology new school passing record. Roderick mentored Brigham Young, 2002 T-Bird quarterback Casey Master’s in sociology Rehrer to a second-team FromFlftLlRhld left: Laurel, Rachel and all-conference season in 2004. PERSONAL DATA Aaron. Rehrer ranked sixth in Division I-AA in total offense, Hometown: Bountiful, Utah averaging 312.6 yards per game, and was 19th in pass Birthdate: Dec. 20, 1972 effi ciency. Southern Utah also boasted a fi rst-team all- Family: Married to Laurel Simpson-Roderick, a Utah league wide receiver in Jerome Eason, and a second-team assistant soccer coach. Daughter Rachel.

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AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHOACH MMorganorgan SScalleycalley SAFETIES / RECRUITING COORDINATOR - 2ND YEAR

ne year after securing his fi rst full-time in the 2005 East- COACHING EXPERIENCE O college coaching job, Morgan Scalley West Shrine Game,

recognizing him for his UTAH STAFF 2008- Utah has already received a promotion. In addition character, intelligence, 2009 Safeties to coaching the safeties, Scalley took over as sportsmanship, and Recruiting Coordinator Utah’s recruiting coordinator in February of service. He made the 2008 Safeties 2009. all-conference second 2006-07 Utah team as a defensive back in 2003, and was an honorable 2007 Graduate Assistant Scalley’s safeties played a major role in Utah’s mention all-MWC punt returner from 2001-02. Defense national rankings in pass effi ciency defense (No. 20) 2006 Administrative Assistant and pass defense (No. 33). Free safety Robert Johnson EDUCATION ranked second on the 2008 team with four interceptions Utah, 2004 BOWL GAMES – including two in the Sugar Bowl and a game-ending Bachelor’s in mass communication interception against TCU. Strong safety Joe Dale had 2006 Armed Forces Bowl 2003, 2004 Academic All-American three interceptions – two against Brigham Young and one Graduated Magna Cum Laude 2007 Poinsettia Bowl to secure Utah’s win over Air Force. 2008 (2009) Sugar Bowl Scalley was a natural to take over as recruiting Utah, 2006 coordinator when the position opened. He earned a Master’s in business administration reputation as a tireless recruiter in his fi rst season, when he signed fi ve players out of Texas. PERSONAL DATA Scalley stepped into the assistant’s job after a Hometown: Salt Lake City two-year apprenticeship from 2006-07 – fi rst as an Birthdate: Oct. 8, 1979 administrative assistant and then as a graduate assistant Family: Married to the former Liz Herrscher. Daughters coaching the “stud” linebackers. Madeline and Emma. Scalley’s U. ties go back to his playing days. He lettered four years at Utah, and as a senior, was the 2004 Mountain West Conference co-Defensive Player of the Year and an Associated Press second-team All-American. Scalley was also a two-time fi rst-team Academic All-American (2003-04), the 2004 Anson Mount Scholar Athlete of the Year and the 2004 MWC Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was awarded two post-graduate scholarships – one from the NCAA. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from the U. with a 3.96 GPA, Scalley earned a master’s degree in business.

RECRUITING AREA Houston

PLAYING CAREER One of the best safeties in school history, Scalley lettered at Utah from 2001-04, earning all-conference honors as both a defensive back and a punt returner. As a senior in 2004, he captained a Utah team that went 12-0, won the Fiesta Bowl (after becoming the fi rst non-BCS conference team to play in a BCS bowl game) and fi nished with a No. 4 national ranking. In 2004, FromF lleft:ft MMorgan, MMadelined li he was a unanimous fi rst-team and Liz. Not Pictured: Emma. all-conference selection, the MWC co-Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and SportsIllustrated.com. Scalley was presented with the inaugural Pat Tillman award

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AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHOACH JJ.D..D. WilliamsWilliams CORNERBACKS - 1ST YEAR

.D. Williams became Utah’s cornerbacks also played for the COACHING EXPERIENCE J coach in February of 2009 after seven Cardinals and 49ers. His last NFL season 2009- Utah years coaching in the Pac 10. was in 1996. At Fresno Cornerbacks State, he was a two- 2006-08 Washington Williams, in his 13th year as a college assistant, Defensive Backs also draws on his background as a top-fl ight player – time all-Big West 2002-05 California experience that includes four Super Bowl appearances. fi rst-team selection and a second-team All-America Defensive Backs His career has been solely dedicated to the secondary, cornerback as a senior, as well as the defensive MVP where he roamed as a player and has coached at every of the East-West Shrine. He was also a standout triple

UTAH STAFF UTAH 2000-01 Fresno State Secondary stop since his retirement from the NFL. jumper and sprinter, winning the 1986 Big West 1999 San Jose State Most recently, Williams was the defensive triple jump crown and competing on the conference Defensive Backs backs coach at Washington from 2006-08. He went to championship 400-meter relay team that set a school 1998 Cal Poly Washington after four seasons coaching the secondary record of 40.18. In 2002, he was inducted into the Defensive Backs at California. The Bears amassed a 33-17 record and Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. 1997 Fresno State played in three bowl games during Graduate Assistant Williams’ stay from 2002-05. In 2005, Cal led the Pac-10 in pass effi ciency defense (24th in the nation) and BOWL GAMES fi nished second in the league in total defense. In 2004, Cal ranked eighth in 2000 Silicon Valley Bowl the nation in scoring defense and 24th 2001 Silicon Valley Bowl in total defense. 2003 Insight Bowl Prior to going to Berkeley, 2004 Holiday Bowl Williams served two seasons as 2005 Las Vegas Bowl secondary coach at his alma mater, Fresno State, from 2000-01. Fresno State posted an 18-7 record and made back-to-back Silicon Valley Bowl appearances. He also coached the secondary at Cal Poly in 1998 and San Jose State in 1999. He began his coaching career in 1997 as a Fresno State graduate assistant. Williams has sent nine players EDUCATION to the NFL: Vernon Fox, Cameron Fresno State, 1997 WorrellW and James Sanders from Bachelor’s in criminology Fresno; Nnamdi Asomugha, Matt Giordano and Daymeion Hughes PERSONAL DATA of Cal; and Roy Lewis, CJ Wallace Hometown: Coalinga, Calif. and Dashon Goldson of Washington. Birthdate: Mar. 30, 1967 (Osceola, Ark.) He has also coached four fi rst-team Family: Married to the former Jamie Hesch. Four all-conference players, including children: Nicole, Kyra, Zoé, David. Giordano, a two-time all-Pac 10 defensive back. The others were Fox, WorrellW and Hughes.

RECRUITING AREA Central and Northern California Top:Top: JJ.D. D MiddleMiddle:: JamieJamie and Kyra. Bottom: Zoé and PLAYING CAREER David. Not Pictured: Nicole. Williams was an NFL fi rst-round draft choice out of Fresno State in 1990, going to the Buffalo Bills with the 16th pick and making the 1990 All-Rookie team. He played in four Super Bowls with the Bills and

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FFOOTBALLOOTBALL SSTAFFTAFF UTAH STAFF

DOUG ELISAIA ZAC CONNORS JEFF RUDY Director of Strength & Conditioning Graduate Assistant, Offense Director of Football Operations

Doug Elisaia (pronounced ellee-sy-a) is Zac Connors is in his second year as a Fourth-year Director of Football Operations in his fourth year as Utah’s director of strength graduate assistant coach working with the Jeff Rudy has a hand in virtually every aspect of and conditioning. He is in his fi fth year overall offensive line, and his fourth year overall on the the program that occurs outside the sidelines. at Utah, having spent one year as a Ute assistant staff. He spent the 2006-07 seasons as an offensive Helping to coordinate Utah’s recruiting efforts strength coach. He is a member of the National administrative assistant. and overseeing the football budget are his two Strength and Conditioning Association and the In Connors’ fi rst year on the fi eld, Utah primary responsibilities, but Rudy also assists Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches featured one of the best offensive lines in the with team travel, camps and clinics, marketing Association. Mountain West Conference. Left tackle Zane and public relations, special functions and Elisaia was at Kentucky from 2002-04, Beadles and right guard Robert Conley won fi rst- administrative projects. where he was the head baseball strength and team all-conference honors, while Zane Taylor He is in his fi fth year overall at Utah, having conditioning coach and also assisted with football. was an honorable mention all-league choice in his spent the 2005 season as a program assistant. From 2000-01, he was employed by Wayne fi rst year as the starting center. Previously, Rudy was the athletics director State as the defensive line coach and football Prior to his move to Salt Lake City, Connors and offensive coordinator at Ontario High team’s strength and conditioning coach. He worked as an undergraduate assistant at Southern School in California from 2003-05. He coached served in a similar capacity at McPherson College Utah in the spring of 2006, helping coach the the offensive line at Chaffey College from 2000- for the 1998-99 seasons. Thunderbird quarterbacks. He volunteered 03, during which time the team played in the Elisaia played defensive tackle at Iowa with the Concord High School (Calif.) varsity Southern California Bowl three times (2000-02). Wesleyan from 1991-95 and led the team in tackles team in the spring of 2005 and summer of 2006. From 1998-00, Rudy coached the offensive line at as a senior while earning NAIA Academic All- His coaching duties at Concord involved the Bonita High School (Calif.), helping lead the team America honors. The three-year team captain quarterbacks and wide receivers. to the 1999 C.I.F. state championship. In 1997, he graduated in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree Connors played quarterback in college for was an assistant coach at Cedar High School in in physical education and a minor in athletic Mt. San Antonio College, St. Mary’s and Southern Utah. training and coaching. Utah. He transferred to SUU when St. Mary’s He played football at Southern Utah, where Born in Redwood City, Calif., Elisaia was dropped its program. He was the primary backup he was an honorable mention all-America West raised in Pago Pago, American Samoa. As a at SUU in 2004-05, starting in four games as a Conference offensive lineman and SUU’s two- senior at Leone High School, he was named senior. In seven total games in 2005, Connors time African-American Scholar-Athlete of the the American Samoa High School Athletics passed for 1,083 yards and eight touchdowns. Year. Association’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He Connors, a 2006 graduate of Southern Utah Rudy graduated from SUU in 1998 with was recognized by the government of American in physical education, is currently pursuing a a degree in physical education. He earned a Samoa as the Outstanding Offensive Lineman at master’s degree in sports management. The master’s in administration of physical education the Samoan Goodwill Games, held in Honolulu. 26-year-old is a native of Clayton, Calif. from Azusa Pacifi c in 2006. The 35-year-old native The 37-year-old Elisaia and his wife Leata of Ontario, Calif., is married to the former Brandie have three daughters: Safua, Seleisa and Colleen, Blood. They have a son Dalton and daughters and one son, Samuelu. Peyton and Kayton.

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