Dorados Announce Coaching Addition, Training Camp Dates
March 2, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
HIDALGO, TEXAS --- The Rio Grande Valley Dorados of arenafootball2 (af2) today announced that Kani Kauahi, a veteran Canadian Football League coach and former National Football League lineman, has been named Offensive and Defensive Line Coach. The team also announced the dates of its 2009 Training Camp, which begins next Monday.
Kauahi (koh-AH-hee) enters his first season with the Dorados after spending the last two campaigns coaching in the Arena Football League with the Arizona Rattlers. Last season, Kauahi led one of the most improved lines in the Arena League, going four straight games without allowing a sack from weeks seven through 11. They finished in the top-10 in the league in both rushing yards per attempt and per game. In 2007, Kauahi served as the Rattlers' Defensive Line Coach.
His addition to the Dorados follows a strong showing by the club's offensive and defensive lines the past two seasons. In 2007, RGV broke the af2 sack record with 57 and set the single-game record with 13 sacks at Texas on June 9, 2007. The team also allowed just 15 sacks, placing them sixth in the then-30 team league. Last season, RGV's offensive line allowed the third fewest sacks (14) in af2 competition.
"Kani is a well respected coach who I am excited to bring into the Dorados organization," Head Coach Marty Hammond explained. "His resume and experience are unmatched and I hope our players take advantage of the opportunity to learn from him."
Prior to his time with the Rattlers, Kauahi spent nine years with three different teams coaching offensive line and running backs in the Canadian Football League with the B.C. Lions (1998-2000), Ottawa Renegades (2002-05), and Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2006). He joined the Ottawa Renegades on Jan 17, 2002, and by the next season was promoted to the duties of offensive coordinator and running backs coach. He later earned the title of Assistant Head Coach/ Director of Football Operations/ Offensive Coordinator by his final season in Ottawa. Kauahi spent the three years from 1998 to 2000 serving as the Offensive Line coach for the B.C. Lions, leaving the team after they won the 2000 Grey Cup.
Kauahi spent 2001 coaching in the short-lived XFL with the San Francisco Demons and worked with the strength and conditioning program with the Arizona Cardinals in 1996 and 1997. He began his coaching career in 1995 as an assistant on the offensive line at Mesa Community College in Arizona.
As a player, Kauahi enjoyed 11 seasons in the NFL as a lineman from 1982-1993 with the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Phoenix Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. He played in 157 games, started seven, and made two fumble recoveries as an offensive lineman. He began his college playing days at Arizona State before graduating from the University of Hawaii.
Born in Kekaha, Hawaii, Kauahi now and his wife Gay have three children and three grandchildren.
The Dorados also announced dates of the team's 2009 Training Camp, which will be held at Hidalgo High School beginning on Monday, March 9. Players report to the Valley by Friday, March 6. Camp runs until Saturday, March 21. The team's season-starting 22-man roster must be submitted to the af2 office by 2 p.m. CST on Monday, March 23. The initial 30-man roster is due by Thursday, March12, at 11:59 p.m.
The Dorados return to Dodge Arena for their sixth season of af2 action. The team's home opener is on Saturday, April 18, vs. Bossier-Shreveport. The regular season begins on the road on Saturday, March 28, at Corpus Christi.
Season tickets are available now by calling 956-843-7825.
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