Feb. 5, 2009

LA GRANDE, Ore. - Eastern Oregon University Head Football Coach Tim Camp has announced the hiring of Lawrence "Legi" Suiaunoa as the Mountaineers new Defensive Coordinator. Suiaunoa replaces Eti Ena who joined the University of Idaho Vandal staff as the defensive line coach.

Suiaunoa comes to Eastern Oregon from Western Washington University.

"I am extremely excited to have Legi Suiaunoa join the Eastern Oregon football program," stated Camp. "I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for Legi as a coach, and I know that he and I share the same philosophy in terms of where we want to take this defense. He has several years of college football coaching experience, and as tough as it was for us to lose Eti Ena, we have certainly landed on our feet with Legi. He is very enthusiastic, and is someone I think our student-athletes and the rest of the athletic department staff will enjoy being around."

Suiaunoa, from Oceanside, California, received his undergraduate degree in General Studies Administration from the University of Nevada Reno in 2002. Legi was a starting linebacker for the Wolfpack for three seasons and was named the recipient of the 2001 coaches' award. The past five seasons he has coached at WWU working with the defensive line, linebackers and serving as strength coach for the Vikings. Prior to WWU Suiaunoa coached for two years at Palomar College in San Marcos, California.

Suiaunoa will join the Mountaineers immediately.