Leslie leaves behind a legacy

Lee Leslie’s Kahuku adventure lasted just one year. Honolulu Star-Advertiser photo by Krystle Marcellus

Lee Leslie stepped down as Kahuku’s football coach after just one year on Thursday, but it was quite a successful year.

Leslie went 9-3 in his only season in Hawaii, joining these coaches among those since 1973 who won more than 66 percent of their games but lasted fewer than 25:

>> Waldemar Doane, Radford, 3-0: Doane took over the Rams when head coach John Velasco died during the playoffs in 1981, leading the team to a Prep Bowl title but not taking over the following year.

>> Walter Santiago, Kahuku, 3-0: Santiago took over the program for three games in the beginning of the 2010 season when Reggie Torres was suspended for misbehavior by players during a summer camp with the team. Torres took over in the fourth game and led the school to an unbeaten record.

>> Rich Miano, Kaiser, 20-4: Miano took over a 2-7 team from William Lobendahn in 2012 and led it to a 7-3 record before going 13-1 and winning the state title in 2013. He left shortly after that season was over.

>> John Hao, Saint Louis, 15-6: Hao took over for Delbert Tengan in 2008 and stayed through 2009, going 8-2 in his first year and 7-4 in his second before being let go in favor of Darnell Ancreneaux, who won a state title in 2010.

>> Mark Kurisu, Leilehua, 8-4: Kurisu stepped in for Nolan Tokuda in 2011, leading the Mules to a 10-2 record and a spot in the state semifinals. Tokuda returned the next season.

>> Doss Tannehill, Kamehameha, 8-4: Tannehill went 8-4 in 2005 after Kanani Souza took a leave of absence for a graduate assistant position at Oregon State following a 10-1 season. Souza returned the next year and went 8-3.

So who is next at Kahuku? That is a long way off. Leslie told administration he supports Ma’ake Kemoeatu for the job, but Reggie Torres is never far away. Byron Beatty? Tommy Heffernan? Or it might be another unknown name. Spring football begins on May 20.

Here are Kahuku football coaches since 1973:

2014 Lee Leslie, 9-3 2013 Reggie Torres, 6-5 2012 Reggie Torres, 12-0 2011 Reggie Torres, 12-1 2010 Reggie Torres, 10-0 2010 Walter Santiago, 3-0 2009 Reggie Torres, 12-1 2008 Reggie Torres, 10-2 2007 Reggie Torres, 6-3 2006 Reggie Torres, 11-2 2005 Siuaki Livai, 11-1 2004 Siuaki Livai, 10-2 2003 Siuaki Livai, 14-0 2002 Siuaki Livai, 6-3 2001 Siuaki Livai, 14-0 2000 Siuaki Livai, 13-2 1999 Siuaki Livai, 12-2 1998 Siuaki Livai, 12-1 1997 Siuaki Livai, 8-3 1996 Siuaki Livai, 2-5 1995 Doug Semones, 8-1-2 1994 Doug Semones, 11-1 1993 Doug Semones, 10-2 1992 Doug Semones, 9-2 1991 Doug Semones, 9-2 1990 Doug Semones, 10-2 1989 Doug Semones, 10-3 1988 Gordon Miyashiro, 3-7 1987 Lester Souza, 7-1-1 1986 Lester Souza, 10-2 1985 Lester Souza, 3-6-1 1984 Clarence Lavarias, 7-5 1983 Clarence Lavarias, 6-4-1 1982 Clarence Lavarias, 9-3 1981 Clarence Lavarias, 5-4-1 1980 Chuck Mead, 7-2 1979 Chuck Mead, 3-6-1 1978 Chuck Mead, 10-1 1977 Chuck Mead, 6-3 1976 Chuck Mead, 6-4 1975 Eli Keolanui, 4-5 1974 Eli Keolanui, 8-2 1973 Famika Anae, 6-5

Leslie leaves behind a legacy

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