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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Leilehua’s head coach Nolan Tokuda, second from left, stands with his team during the first half of an OIA football game between the Leilehua Mules and the Waianae Seariders on Friday, August 28, 2015 in Wahiawa.
Longtime Leilehua football coach Nolan Tokuda told Hawaii Prep World this morning that he has retired from coaching.
Tokuda cited family needs (young children) as his primary reason for stepping down after more than a decade as head coach. He will also apply for the athletic director position in July.
He added that he supports longtime assistant coach Mark Kurisu as the next head coach.
“Mark has already been named (head coach) this morning,” Tokuda wrote via text. “It’s Mark’s time to take over. He has been ready for years now. He was the defensive coordinator for three former head coaches. Mark will take the program to the next level, building better men, student-athletes and football players.”
Kurisu took over the helm in ’11 when Tokuda took a sabbatical and guided the Mules to a 10-2-1 season. He was the DC under Cass Ishitani, Jake Kawamata and Tokuda.
Leilehua’s Nolan Tokuda took the Mules to three state finals and won one state championship in his 12 seasons as head coach.
Tokuda took over for Kawamata in 2004, turning a 3-5 team into a 10-4 squad. That Mules team reached the Division I state tournament final, losing to Kamehameha 28-7.
In ’07, Leilehua promoted a JV quarterback named Andrew Manley to the varsity after the team went 3-3 in the regular season and lost its QBs to injuries. Leilehua went on to sweep through the OIA playoffs and state tournament to capture its first state championship, beating Saint Louis 20-16.
The Mules returned to the state final in ’08, losing to Punahou 38-7.
“I’m going to miss everything,” Tokuda wrote. “All my coaches. My players past and present. Coaching colleagues. Rod York. Nelson Maeda. Wendall Say. Al Viloria. Walt Young. Arnold Martinez. Darren Hernandez. Even the officials. Guys like Danny Bayne. Mike Goshima. Robert Victor.
“I’m going to miss preparing week in and week out. X’s and O’s, and especially the Jimmys and the Joes. The most important to me was the relationships that I was so blessed to have built and be a part of.”
This year’s team went 5-8, reaching the semifinal round of the Division I state tournament. He leaves with a career win-loss record of 86-43.
Tokuda was a quarterback at Aiea, playing for Say. He played in the first OC-16 televised game.
“Football is the greatest vehicle to teach life skills, things like discipline. Teamwork. Dealing with adversity and being humble during your success,” he added.
will miss his girlish earings
First class bro! First class!
Coach,
you were a bright spot for many years and we thank you. Your message of love and aloha for teammates brought the community together, and as these young men have their own families they will pass that along.
Great job Nolan. Enjoy the family life and kids. Thanks for all you have done for Hawaii’s youth.
agree..well earned retirement
I must say Coach Tokuda was one tough Qb when he was playing at Aiea High School !
Thank You for mentoring and guiding hundreds of fine young gentlemen .
Enjoyed watching his team play the game right! Hard nosed, clean, no attitude and exhibited good sportsmanship. Yup, those young men that went through his tutelage will be better for it. As he said a great way to learn the importance of team work and get life lessons through sports. Great job coach! Enjoy the time with your young family!
Best wishes for blessings overflowing for you and your family, Coach. Thank you for all you’ve done for the team.
Good run, coach but . . . how does one step down from a head coaching gig to spend more time with his family yet hope for a job as an AD in which he will have EVEN LESS time to spend with his family?
there’s a few other coaches from lhs that should retire with him
Grow some and name them? Would love to hear who you’re referring to…
Lots of respect for what he did with his teams. Gonna miss ‘um.