EIGHTH IN A SERIES
Keith Uperesa is a man of faith, and he believes life distributes what he can handle.
But twice in three years?
"It was a trying time," said Uperesa, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2009, three years after he underwent treatment for prostate cancer. "It was tough."
Sitting in a conference room at the University of Hawaii, where he is the football team’s new running backs coach, Uperesa said he now is healthy.
"I’ve got medication for the rest of my life," he said, "but I’m fortunate. I’m been blessed to be able to do what I’ve been doing right now."
Uperesa was the offensive line coach at Nevada-Las Vegas when he underwent both cancer treatments. For the first one, UNLV head coach Mike Sanford allowed Uperesa to craft his own schedule. Instead of taking off completely, Uperesa would undergo a radiation treatment one day, then work the next.
"Mike Sanford and the athletic director were tremendous," Uperesa said. "They did everything they could to accommodate me."
Uperesa owned a home in Salt Lake City. Rather than uproot his children, he lived in Vegas during the season. During the offseason, he would make the 5-hour drive to Salt Lake City on Friday evening, then make the return drive on Sunday afternoon.
"I listened to island music the entire way," he said.
After he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, his wife moved to Las Vegas.
"It strengthened the bonds with my family," Uperesa said. "My wife has been a tremendous rock for me. In Vegas, they got me a golf cart to ride around in. She was my personal caddie. She came to practice every day to get me around."
He underwent treatment at the UCLA Medical Center. Because he was restricted from traveling for two weeks, he received support from UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow and his wife, Diane.
"They helped me quite a bit," Uperesa said. "They were a tremendous support. I consider them to be family. They’ve done a lot for me and my family."
It was in 1974 when Chow, who was Brigham Young’s offensive coordinator at the time, recruited Uperesa to Provo, Utah. Uperesa, who was a Punahou School offensive lineman, had been out of the state twice previously — a family trip to Samoa and to California. Uperesa said Provo was the "farthest east I had ever been."
"BYU presented me with the opportunity to compete and play right away," said Uperesa, who started as a freshman.
Chow was named Hawaii’s head coach this past December. This time, Chow made a pitch for Uperesa to join the Warriors as an assistant coach.
"We got the call from Norm (in late December),"said Uperesa, who was at Nicholls State the past two years. "He wanted to know my interest. My wife and I felt if there ever was an opportunity for us to go back home, we’d strongly consider it. The timing was right. I was born and raised here. This is the first time in 38 years I get to come back and stay without leaving."
Uperesa has coached the offensive line throughout his career. At UH, he coaches the running backs. This coming season, the Warriors will employ a fullback for the first time since 1998.
Uperesa said he welcomed the chance to coach a different position.
"You have to learn your craft and teach," Uperesa said. "That’s why we’re in this profession. We’re here to teach."
TODAY’S POSITION » RUNNING BACK
Keith Uperesa is beginning his first season as the Warriors’ running backs coach. Here’s a look at the position:
» Key loss: Yes, Bryant Moniz was a quarterback. But with an average of 1.03 broken tackles per non-sack scramble, he was one of the Warriors’ top rushing threats in 2011.
» By the numbers: Joey Iosefa averaged 4.25 yards after initial contact.
» Key returners: Iosefa, Sterling Jackson, John Lister
» Keep an eye on: Will Gregory, who redshirted last season, is the quickest and shiftiest of the UH tailbacks.
» The future: There is debate whether Punahou senior Steven Lakalaka will be used as a tailback or fullback. "We know he’ll probably grow this summer," Uperesa said. "We have to see where he’s going to fit. I’d like to think he may be that young fullback type of guy. But he can do a couple of things back there for us."
» Spring work: The Warriors will add a fullback to the new two-back offense. Jared Leaf, who redshirted last season, best looks the part. "We’re very positive about him," Uperesa said. Dustin Elisara is making the move from defensive lineman to fullback. Jordan Monico, who was a running back before switching to linebacker last year, is back in the backfield. "We’re looking for a guard body type who can, maybe, catch the ball in the flat," Uperesa said of the fullback’s job description. Uperesa said Iosefa, who he knew as a high school quarterback in American Samoa, will be one of the top candidates at tailback. Gregory, Lister and Jackson also will complete there, although Jackson probably won’t be available until this summer after undergoing shoulder surgery. Two slotbacks who redshirted last year — Samson Anguay and Chinedu Amadi — are now tailbacks. Uperesa said both bring "some shake-and-bake and an attitude."
» Final words: "It’s great to be home," Uperesa said.
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