Stant leaves Kamehameha to coach college football in Japan

After five years — and one state championship — as coach of the Kamehameha football team, David Stant is saying sayonara to American football and aloha to Japanese futuboru.

Stant told administrators, his coaching staff and players on Wednesday that he would resign from the position effective immediately. He is accepting the head coaching position at Keio University in Tokyo. It was a stunning announcement for all involved, including family.

"Kamehameha’s great. It’s the best place in the world to coach. The kids and the faculty and staff are so good, but I still have a hard time feeding my family at the end of the month," said Stant, who will leave to join his new program in about a month.

Stant wouldn’t elaborate on his five-year contract with the Japanese school, but said it was a significant salary improvement. He’s currently an assistant research associate at Kamehameha’s athletic department, but making ends meet has been a struggle.

"I’ve got eight people to feed and this is one of the better contracts, even compared to the (Japanese) corporate league," he said. "We’ve been on the verge of losing our house. A lot of people in Hawaii are like that. I have to provide for my family."

College football in Japan has two seasons per year. The first game of the spring season is in April. Being away from his wife and four children wasn’t appealing, but Stant had to make a tough decision.

"My kids are at Kamehameha. I don’t want them to leave. I’ll just commute," he said. "It’s a great school. I would never pull them out. It’s a lot of mixed emotions. We talked to our two younger ones. When I do come home, I’ll probably spend more quality time with them."

Stant spent 17 years in Japan after playing football at the University of Hawaii. He coached in the corporate league, but always yearned to coach at the college level.

"It’s hard to get opportunities in America," he said.

Stant’s connection might have started a pipeline from the islands to Japan. Three Kamehameha seniors — offensive linemen Jesse Kaluhiokalani and Ian Kukahiko, and defensive lineman Devin Horswill — will fly up for interviews and workouts next month, though they’ll be trying out for one of Keio’s rival schools: Nihon University, the No. 1 college team in the land.

"Even if they don’t get it, it’s a great experience for the boys," Stant said.

Last season, Keio was fifth in its league, which has nine members.

Kamehameha was 5-2 in ILH play last fall (7-3 overall).

In 2009, Stant led the Warriors to a state title, beating Kahuku 34-21.

"It’s kind of good that I’m still wanted here, leaving on good terms with the school," he said.