Manako Tuifua begins his second season as NAU's Defensive Line Coach after joining the program in January 2024 as the defensive line coach.
In his first season in Flagstaff, Tuifua coached Micah Carreon to a breakout year culminating in Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors. Tuifua's defensive line unit was pivotal in the Lumberjacks ranking second in the Big Sky in total defense (316.5) and third in rush defense (139.8). Both marks ranked in the top 40 in the FCS with NAU's total defense placing 18th nationally.
Tuifua came to NAU from Texas A&M - Kingsville where he was the defensive line coach for the Javelinas during the 2023 season.
Before his time with the Javelinas, he was the defensive line coach at Lane College. With the Dragons, Tuifua coached All-American Andrew Farmer, who led the country in tackles for loss. As a team, the Dragons were nationally ranked on defense with the second-most defensive touchdowns and 11th in tackles-for-loss.
Before he was at Lane College, he served as defensive line coach at Angelo State from 2019-22. Tuifua helped produce one All-American defensive lineman and seven Lone Star Conference (LSC) selections. Additionally, he assisted the Rams' defense to the top spot in several statistical categories within the LSC including total defense, rush defense, third-down defense, defensive touchdowns, sacks and interceptions. The Rams also had the second-best pass defense and scoring defense in the conference during his tenure.
Tuifua's first coaching stop was at Azusa Pacific in 2013 after finishing his collegiate playing career at APU where he was named the GNAC Defensive Lineman of the Year in the Cougars' first season of Division II competition. With the Cougars, Tuifua produced 15 all-conference defensive linemen and one lineman of the year contributing to the winningest five-year period in program history that featured four conference championships.
A native of Hawaii, Tuifua played his first two seasons of college football at Pasadena City College before graduating from APU with a degree in sociology in 2013.
