Utah State assistant coach Kevin Clune has accepted an offer to become the University of Hawaii football team’s defensive coordinator, UH head coach Norm Chow announced. 

He will replace Thom Kaumeyer, who was the Rainbow Warriors’ defensive coordinator the past two seasons. Kaumeyer was told his one-year contract would not be extended after it expires in March.

"I’m fired up," Chow said of the hire. 

Clune is expected to be paid about $160,000 a year, compared with the $250,000 that Kaumeyer was paid.

Clune has coached Utah State’s linebackers the past five seasons. This past season, the Aggies were ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense (17.1 points per game) and 12th in total defense (330.9 yards a game). In contrast, UH was 113th in scoring defense (38.8 points) and 115th in total defense (494.7 yards) in 2013.

Chow said Clune brings experience in facing the multiple offenses from the Mountain West Conference. UH and Utah State are MWC members.

He was chosen from among 39 candidates who officially applied.