BRUCE ASATO / JULY 27
Makoa Freitas was Kahuku’s interim coach last season. The school announced that the position is now vacant.
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Unless Makoa Freitas reapplies for the job, Kahuku will have its fifth head football coach in six seasons next year.
Red Raiders athletic director Gillian Yamagata sent an email to media members late Monday night announcing the school is accepting applications for the now vacant head football coaching job.
Kahuku finished 11-2 and advanced to the state final this season under Freitas, who served as the interim coach.
Freitas, who prepped at Kamehameha Schools and played for the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL, was appointed coach after Vavae Tata was not asked back following the 2016 season.
Tata went 24-2 in two years and won the state championship in 2015 before losing to Saint Louis in the 2016 final.
Lee Leslie served as head coach for one season in 2014 after replacing Reggie Torres, who was asked to reapply for the job after going 6-5 in 2013.
Freitas could not be reached for comment, but a source confirmed that Freitas attended a year-end meeting with Yamagata recently and was told the position would be opened up.
It’s unclear whether Freitas will apply for the permanent position.
Kahuku has won the past three OIA titles and is 35-4 over the past three seasons.
The deadline to apply for the job is Dec. 22 and face-to-face interviews are scheduled to take place Jan. 3-5.