Two days after the University of Hawai‘i football team closed out its 2024 season with a Senior Night victory over New Mexico, head coach Timmy Chang has received a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the helm through 2026.
Chang’s original deal was set to expire at the end of 2025, but the extension announced by interim athletics director Lois Manin, with terms not immediately disclosed, follows a 5-7 campaign that saw the Rainbow Warriors finish just one win shy of bowl eligibility. The team matched its win total from 2023, bringing Chang’s record to 13-25 over his first three seasons coaching at his alma mater.
In a University of Hawaii Football press release, Chang said, “I want to thank the University of Hawai‘i, President Lassner, the Board of Regents, and acting Athletics Director Lois Manin for the opportunity to continue coaching my beloved alma mater,” Chang said. “The time is now for Hawai‘i Football! We believe we have the staff, players, and the support from this community to get this team to where we all want it to be, back on top, winning football games, and continuing to make this state proud.”
The season finale offered a glimpse of the program’s potential, led by true freshman quarterback Micah Alejado, who delivered a record-setting performance with 469 passing yards and five touchdowns. Alejado’s breakout game earned him Mountain West and national Player of the Week honors and has fueled optimism for the future.
“Coach Chang has established a foundation of Warrior culture that our football program needed when he came home three years ago,” Manin said in the statement. “Offering him the opportunity to continue to build and recruit to the Braddahhood is paramount for the program. We are excited for the future of Warrior football, especially after what we witnessed Saturday night.”
Abu Ma‘afala, Spectrum Sports analyst and co-host of the Hawai‘i Football Final podcast, highlighted Chang’s resilience in building the program.
“When you’re trying to build a program, it’s not always about X’s and O’s,” Ma‘afala said. “Coach Tim has had the toughest job in America. This thing could have fallen apart many times, but the way they capped it off showed the power of resilience, togetherness, and team. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2025.”
Rich Miano, another Spectrum Sports analyst, gave high praise of Alejado’s play.
“Normally after watching this team play, I can’t sleep because of what the offense should have done,” Miano said. “This week, I couldn’t sleep because the offense was so good. I ran out of superlatives for this young man—his accuracy, his quick game, intermediate throws, and deep ball. I was speechless, and that doesn’t happen often.”
The offseason schedule for UH starts this week with National Signing Day set for Wednesday.
The NCAA transfer portal window opens on December 9.