Clune has good memories of Logan

In the five years he lived in Logan, Utah, one of Kevin Clune’s favorite memories involved a natural disaster.

In May 2012, overnight rain and melted snow caused the Spring Creek to overflow, leading to flooding near Clune’s back yard.

"The whole neighborhood came out, working and sandbagging," Clune recalled. "It was a hard time, but you could really see the neighborhood getting together. They were good people. It’s a different small-town atmosphere."

The past meets the present when Clune, Hawaii’s defensive coordinator, faces former employer Utah State in Saturday’s game at Aloha Stadium. Kickoff is at 5 p.m.

"That was the longest I’d been anywhere," Clune said of his five years as Utah State’s linebackers coach. "And that’s wild, because I’ve been coaching since 1991. That was a good time. We took them from a one-win team to three bowl games."

Clune would have been content to remain at Utah State for years. But then the UH defensive coordinator’s job opened in December. Clune, who was raised on California’s football fields and beaches, could not refuse an opportunity to lead a defense at a school 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Of this reunion, Clune said: "It’s not about me or the other coaches. It’s about those players. The main attachment I have is to those guys, especially on defense."

Utah State linebacker Zach Vigil said Clune "taught me how to play linebacker."

Vigil said his maturation process was long.

"When I came to Utah State, I was 180 pounds soaking wet," he said. "I didn’t know anything about football. He brought me along. He pushed me. He has a way of reading his players and being able to develop them. Coach Clune has a way of bringing the best out of his players."

Clune said he’s known Vigil’s family "for what seems like forever now. The attachment to the players is what it is. Obviously, we both want to win. That’s the main focus. The rest is extra stuff on the side. I just hope we have a good, safe game. I don’t want any of those guys to get hurt and, obviously, none of our guys to get hurt."

For now, Clune is trying to solve the riddle of the Aggies’ offense. There is enough video and background. But the Aggies’ top three quarterbacks are out with season-ending injuries, thrusting true freshman Kent Myers into the starting lineup.

"He’s a true freshman, and all that stuff," Clune said, "but he’s on scholarship, and I’m sure the coaches will coach him up."