Mark Kaanapu, former Head Coach at Merced Junior College, begins his second year as the Vikings’ running backs coach and recruiting coordinator.
Kaanapu, who spent 15 years in coaching in California, brings strong relationships and recruiting ties to PSU. He also has extensive experience as a Head Coach.
“Mark brings a wealth of experience having been a head coach at the Division III and junior college level,” said Head Coach Nigel Burton. “He has a tremendous amount of knowledge of the Pistol offense, having run it at Menlo and Merced and being a frequent visitor at the University of Nevada when I was there.”
Kaanapu was the Head Coach at Merced Junior College in 2009. That followed an eight-year stint as Head Coach at NCAA III Menlo College.
In his first season at Portland State, Kaanapu guided the transition of Cory McCaffrey to running back and a 1,287-yard season and first team All-Big Sky Conference honors. In all, the Vikings’ running game came within 19 yards of the all-time school record for season rushing.
Kaanapu originally joined the Menlo College football staff in 1996, spending his first three seasons as an assistant. He was the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator during the 1996 season before being promoted to assistant head coach in 1997.
From 1998 to 2000, he coached at the high school level and was an assistant coach with the Arena Football League’s San Jose Sabercats in 2000, helping the team secure the Western Division title and a playoff berth. Kaanapu has also taught at the community college level, having served as an assistant football coach at West Valley Community College in Saratoga.
While playing as an offensive lineman at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR, Kaanapu was selected as a Second Team All-American by the College Football News in 1989. Kaanapu graduated from Pacific University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He later earned a master’s in science degree in sports management.
Kaanapu is a charter member of the Polynesian Coaches Association and was a volunteer for the San Mateo County agency responsible for the prevention of domestic violence. He has also served on the board of directors of the Northwest Intercollegiate Football Officials Association (NIFOA).
THE MARK KAANAPU FILE
2nd year at Portland State
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Alma Mater: Pacific (OR) University, 1990; Political Science; Masters, Sports Management, California (PA), 2008
Playing Experience: offensive lineman, Pacific (OR) University
Family: Wife, Maria; daughter, Mialani
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2010-11 Portland State, Running Back Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
2009 Merced Junior College, Head Coach
2001-08 Menlo College, Head Coach
1998-00 San Jose Sabercats (AFL), Assistant Coach
1996-98 Menlo College, Assistant Coach
RECRUITING AREAS
Oregon leagues: Three Rivers, Capital, Pac West, Sunset 6
Out of state: California Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area
