Kapono Roy Asuega enters his first year with the Javelinas as the defensive line coach for the 2024 season.
Throughout his coaching career, Asuega has developed multiple all-conference players at both the Division I and Division II levels and has been instrumental in preparing athletes for the NFL.
Asuega joins the Javelinas after two seasons at the University of Idaho as the Outside Linebackers/Edges Assistant Coach, where he was instrumental in improving the Vandals' defense. With his help, Idaho's defensive scoring improved from allowing 31.55 points per game in 2021 to just 22.08 points per game in 2023, ranking 28th in FCS. The defense also ranked 21st in FCS for passing yards allowed (182.2 ypg, 1st in Big Sky) and 31st for rushing yards allowed (124.7 ypg, 4th in Big Sky), with a total defense ranking 14th in FCS at 306.8 yards per game.
Idaho reached the FCS Playoffs in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, making it to the Quarterfinals in 2023 against UAlbany. During this period, two of Asuega's defensive linemen earned All-Big Sky honors. Â In addition, he mentored and coached Juliano Falaniko, who is now in the CFL & signed with the BC Lions.
Before joining Idaho, Asuega was the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach at New Mexico Highlands University, where he also served as the Community Outreach Director. Under his leadership, the Cowboys finished with a 5-6 record—their most wins since 2012—while recording 23 sacks and 71 tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Trejan Lawrence earned All-RMAC First-Team honors and Victor Villareal, garnered interest from the CFL, NFL, and Arena leagues.
He spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons as a Defensive Line Graduate Assistant at Liberty University, working under Nebraska great Turner Gill and current Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze. Â During that time, he coached Jessie Lemonier, a top FBS leader in sacks, who went on to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Chargers and then played for the lions.
Coach Asuega earned his bachelor's degree from Gardner-Webb in 2013. Â He grew up in Southern California and is of Hawaiian and Samoan heritage. Â He currently resides in Kingsville
