Legi Suiaunoa - Football Coach - Michigan State University Athletics

Legi Suiaunoa

Title:
Defensive Line Coach
Email:
football@msu.edu
Phone:
355-1647

A collegiate coaching veteran of more than 20 years, Lawrence "Legi" Suiaunoa (Leng-ee SOO-ee-ow-noah) joined the Michigan State staff as the Spartans' defensive line coach in December 2023.

Suiaunoa previously spent six seasons (2018-23) on Jonathan Smith's staff at Oregon State, and he also coached with Smith at Montana in 2011.

"Legi helped develop one of the best defensive lines in Pac-12," said Smith. "His players are physical at the point of attack and create pressure on the quarterback while stopping the run. I have tremendous respect for Coach Suiaunoa not only as a coach, but as a great person who will help mentor our players on and off the field."

Suiaunoa has guided eight teams to postseason action during his coaching career, including four bowl games and four playoff seasons.

During his first season at Michigan State, Suiaunoa’s defensive front helped the Spartans rank among the national leaders in rushing defense (No. 32), allowing 125.1 yards per game. Defensive end Khris Bogle led MSU with four sacks and ranked second with 7.5 tackles for loss to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition.

While at Oregon State in 2023, Suiaunoa's defensive line propelled the Beavers to rank second in the Pac-12 and ninth in the FBS in sacks with 36 (3.0 sacks/game), tied for second in fumbles forced with 13 (1.08 per game), and third in tackles for loss with 72 TFL (6.0 TFL/game). The OSU defense was also fourth in the conference in rushing defense (104.1 ypg), fourth in opponent third-down conversions (37.5 percent) and fifth in scoring defense (21.3 ppg).

Individually, Suiaunoa coached junior defensive lineman and second-team All-Pac-12 honoree Sione Lolohea, who posted 8.5 tackles for loss, ranking second on OSU's defense and tied for 16th in the Pac-12.

In 2022, Suiaunoa mentored defensive lineman Isaac Hodgins, who was tabbed to the Comeback Player of the Year Watch List after missing the 2021 season with an injury, and also earned Academic All-District and Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll accolades.

With Suiaunoa's guidance, the OSU defense improved its rushing defense by 75 fewer yards from 2020 to 2021, as well as allowing nearly eight fewer points in 2021 than in the 2020 season.

In 2021, Suiaunoa tutored defensive lineman Keonte Schad, who earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 accolades after finishing among the team leaders in tackles (46), sacks (2.5) and tackles for loss (6.0). Schad is one of four OSU defensive linemen who have earned All-Pac 12 recognition under Suiaunoa.

Oregon State's defense also improved from 2018 to 2019 with Suiaunoa's leadership, allowing 13.2 fewer points per game and 112.3 fewer yards per game rushing in 2019. The Beaver defense also had 86 tackles for loss and 32 sacks, which was the most since 2008, until the 36 sacks in 2023 topped that mark.

In 2018, Suiaunoa coached defensive tackle Kalani Vakameilalo, who was on the 2018 Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List.

Prior to Oregon State, Suiaunoa coached at Hawai'i for the 2016-17 seasons, where he was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2017 season after serving as the defensive line position coach in 2016. Suiaunoa coached linebacker Jahlani Tavai to second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2017 after ranking second in the conference with 124 tackles. Suiaunoa also mentored lineman Meffy Koloamatangi, who was a two-time honorable mention All-MW selection, and lineman Viane Moala, who also garnered honorable mention All-MW kudos in 2017.

Before his time at Hawai'i, Suiaunoa coached at Montana from 2011-15, coaching the defensive line all five seasons and serving as associate head coach in 2013 and 2014. Suiaunoa helped lead the Grizzlies to four FCS Playoff appearances.

Under Suiaunoa's guidance, senior consensus All-American defensive end Tyrone Holmes led the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in sacks with 18 in 2015, and concluded his career with 34.5 sacks, ranking second on Montana's all-time sacks list behind another Suiaunoa pupil, Zach Wagenma. Additionally, Holmes was one of three finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented to the FCS Defensive Player of the Year, in 2015.

Furthermore, Suiaunoa mentored defensive tackle Caleb Kidder to first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors after a 71-tackle junior season in 2015 following an injury rehab, logging seven passes defended on six pass break-ups and an interception, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick.

In 2014, Montana ranked among the FCS leaders in several defensive categories. The Grizzlies ranked seventh in the nation in sacks (3.20 pg), 19th in scoring defense (21.0 ppg), and 36th in tackles for loss (6.8 TFL/gm).

Over the prior three seasons, Suiaunoa also guided the development of record-setting defensive end Zach Wagenmann, who garnered first-team All-Big Sky accolades and was tabbed 2014 Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year. Under Suiaunoa's tutelage, Wagenmann set school records in career sacks (37.5), career tackles for loss (53) as well as career forced fumbles (11).

Senior defensive tackle Tonga Takai joined Wagenmann in earning first-team all-conference honors in 2014, while Holmes and defensive tackle Trevor Rehm were honorable mention selections.

In 2013, UM ranked second in the FCS in sacks (3.73 pg), fourth in rush defense (92.6 ypg), fifth in fumble recoveries (16), and 28th in scoring defense (22.9 ppg).

Suiaunoa went to Montana from Portland State, where he worked with the defensive line during the 2010 season.

Prior to his tenure at PSU, Suiaunoa spent the 2009 season at Eastern Oregon as the defensive coordinator following a four-year stint at Western Washington (2005-08) coaching defensive line and linebackers, in addition to serving as WWU's strength & conditioning coach.

Suiaunoa was a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Nevada, in 2004.

He started his coaching career at Palomar (Calif.) Junior College in 2002-03, coaching the linebackers. The Comets went 8-3 in 2003, reaching the first round of Southern California JC playoffs, and were 10-1 in 2002, winning the Mission Conference championship while finishing the year ranked fourth in the nation in the JC Grid-Wire Poll.

After one season playing at Palomar, Suiaunoa transferred to Nevada, where he was a three-year letterwinner and a two-year starter for the Wolf Pack, earning the 2001 Coaches' Award from head coach Chris Tormey.

A native of Oceanside, California, Suiaunoa earned his bachelor's degree in 2002 from Nevada in general studies administration.

While his player career began at Palomar, he moved on to a three-year career as a linebacker at Nevada, earning his general studies administration degree in 2002. He was a two-year starter for the Wolf Pack and was recipient of the 2001 Coaches' Award.

Suiaunoa and his wife, Rose, have three daughters and two sons.

THE SUIAUNOA FILE

PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
• Linebackers coach at Palomar JC (2002-03)
• Graduate assistant at Nevada (2004)
• Defensive line, linebackers, and strength & conditioning coach at Western Washington (2005-08)
• Defensive coordinator at Eastern Oregon (2009)
• Defensive line coach at Portland State (2010)
• Defensive line coach at Montana (2011-15) | Associate head coach at Montana (2013-14)
• Defensive line coach at Hawai’i (2016)
• Defensive coordinator at Hawai’i (2017)
• Defensive line coach at Oregon State (2018-2023)
• Defensive line at Michigan State (2024-)

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
College - Three-year letterwinner as a linebacker at Nevada (1999-2001)

POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
• 2011 FCS Playoffs (Montana)
• 2013 FCS Playoffs (Montana)
• 2014 FCS Playoffs (Montana)
• 2015 FCS Playoffs (Montana)
• 2016 Hawai’i Bowl (Hawai’i)
• 2021 LA Bowl (Oregon State)
• 2022 Las Vegas Bowl (Oregon State)

NFL DRAFT PICKS (1):
2019: LB Jahlani Tavai (Hawai’i; 2nd round, No. 43 overall, Detroit)

ALL-AMERICANS (2 PLAYERS; 3 SELECTIONS):
2015: DE Tyrone Holmes (Montana; 1st team, AFCA, AP, Walter Camp)
2014: DE Zack Wagenmann (Montana; 1^st team, AFCA, AP, Walter Camp)
2012: DE Zack Wagenmann (Montana; 1^st team, AP)

FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE (5 PLAYERS; 7 SELECTIONS):
2015 (2; Montana, Big Sky): DE Tyrone Holmes, DT Caleb Kidder
2014 (2; Montana, Big Sky): DT Tonga Takai, DE Zack Wagenmann
2013 (1; Montana, Big Sky): DE Zack Wagenmann
2012 (1; Montana, Big Sky): DE Zack Wagenmann
2011 (1; Montana, Big Sky): DT Bryan Waldhauser

ADDITIONAL ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES (17 SELECTIONS):
2024 (1; Michigan State, Big Ten): DE Khris Bogle (HM)
2023 (1; Oregon State, Pac-12): DL Sione Lolohea (2^nd)
2022 (2; Oregon State, Pac-12): DL Sione Lolohea (HM), DL James Rawls (HM)
2021 (1; Oregon State, Pac-12): DL Keonte Schad (HM)
2020 (1; Oregon State, Pac-12): DL Simon Sandberg (HM)
2017 (3; Hawai’i, Mountain West): LB Jahlani Tavai (2^nd), DL Meffy Koloamatangi (HM), DL Viane Moala (HM)
2016 (1; Hawai’i, Mountain West): DL Meffy Koloamatangi (HM)
2014 (2; Montana, Big Sky): DT Trevor Rehm (HM), DE Tyrone Holmes (HM)
2013 (3; Montana, Big Sky): DT Alex Bienemann (2^nd), DT Tonga Takai (3^rd), DE Tyrone Holmes (HM)
2011 (2; Montana, Big Sky): DE Bobby Alt (HM), DE Ryan Fetherston (HM)