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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Kaiser Head Football Coach Rich Miano leads his team out to the middle of the field to meet the players from Pearl City at the end of the Pearl City vs Kaiser OIA White football championship at Aloha Stadium. Kaiser beat Pearl City 41 - 21 for the White Championship.
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After two seasons, and lifting his alma mater to a state title, the Rich Miano era at Kaiser is done.
Sources confirmed Wednesday night that Miano has resigned as football coach, just months after guiding the Cougars to the Division II state championship.
When asked by John Noland on the Noland’s radio show today if he was asked to step down, Miano said, "Unequivocally not."
Miano said his resignation was turned down at first, until he said he explained his situation to the athletic director.
Miano sent an email to his coaching staff, parents and players. He pointed to his new job (a management position in the shipping industry) and a desire to simplify his life as two reasons for stepping down.
Miano’s team went 19-4 in two seasons, including 12-1 last fall. Kaiser defeated Kauai 17-7 in the D-II final.
His short stint produced an immense display of talent, some of it homegrown and some of it coming from transfers. That led to some controversy, particularly from programs that lost football players to Kaiser.
Miano played 11 seasons in the NFL after an unusual, but successful ascension as a younger player. He was a standout defensive back at Kaiser, helping the team win the Prep Bowl in 1979. He walked on at the University of Hawaii and became a starter and All-WAC selection in 1983 and ’84.
Miano did not return calls on Wednesday night.
