Timmy Chang, the former record-setting quarterback for Hawaii, was named the school’s new football coach Saturday.
Chang enjoyed a legendary career for the Rainbow Warriors from 2000-04, setting the NCAA’s all-time record for passing yards (17,072) and total offense (16,910). He currently ranks second behind former Houston star Case Keenum in both categories. Chang also set the NCAA record for completions (1,388), although he has since been passed by Keenum and two others.
“I’m back. I’m home. In my heart, I’ve never left,” Chang said in a statement. “Like I’ve always done, I’m ready to give my all for Hawai’i. The highest privilege in coaching is the right to represent an institution as a head coach. This is beyond indescribable. I get to do it here in Hawai’i, where I am from. I am so proud to represent MY school and state. I’m honored to lead the BRADDAHHOOD.”
The news comes one day after June Jones, the coach that Chang played for at Hawaii, emphatically rejected what he considered an insulting offer to return to coaching the Rainbow Warriors.
“No coach in their right mind would accept!” Jones tweeted Friday after turning down the job with the Rainbow Warriors, where he won a school-record 76 games from 1999-2007. Jones went on describe his issues with the school’s contract offer in subsequent tweets.
The details of Chang’s contract, meanwhile, are still in the works. He will be formerly introduced this coming week.
Jones, 68, has not coached in the collegiate ranks since 2014 but had expressed an interest in returning to Hawaii following the resignation of Todd Graham earlier this month.
Instead the job will go to the 40-year-old Chang, who spent the last five seasons as the wide receivers/tight ends coach at Nevada. He recently followed former Wolf Pack coach Jay Norvell to Colorado State.
This will be Chang’s first head coaching position at any level.
