PROVO — BYU picked an ideal time to announce the hiring of Steve Kaufusi as its new defensive line coach.
It happened Friday, which marked the beginning of a big recruiting weekend for coach Gary Crowton and the Cougars. BYU is hosting a number of highly touted high school prospects, including Highland High defensive lineman Haloti Ngata, who is regarded as one of the best prep defensive players in the nation.
This group that has been welcomed to campus also features several other top Polynesian athletes. And Kaufusi's hiring — he replaces the retiring Tom Ramage — signals the Cougars' intentions to bolster the Polynesian pipeline that contributed to their success the last few decades. In recent years, that pipeline has waned.
Crowton showed up Friday at LaVell Edwards Stadium for a news conference in an Aloha shirt, which was appropriate considering that he was planning to hold a luau, complete with Polynesian-style food and dancing, for the visiting recruits.
The addition of Kaufusi, who was born in Tonga before moving with his family to Salt Lake City, should boost BYU's recruiting efforts.
Kaufusi recruited the state of Hawaii for the University of Utah and helped the Utes land some of the country's best Polynesian players over the years.
"His reputation in recruiting is very impressive," Crowton said.
In addition, Kaufusi was instrumental in the development of a number of talented defensive ends at the U., including All-America Luther Elliss and Kaufusi's younger brother, Jason, who was a first-team all-conference selection this past season.
Crowton is turning his attention during the off-season to BYU's defense, which was ranked No. 102 in the nation in total defense. Utah was No. 17 in total defense in 2001.
Kaufusi, who was a defensive lineman for the Cougars in the mid-1980s, appears to be the perfect fit for BYU.
"I'm expecting him to do great things in the future," Crowton said.
Crowton and Kaufusi first met about one year ago on an airplane when they were returning home from recruiting in Hawaii. They were introduced by BYU defensive coordinator Ken Schmidt. Crowton had Kaufusi in mind as a replacement for Ramage from the beginning.
"I wanted to see who I felt fit in our situation best," Crowton said. "He's someone that intrigued me."
In early December, the week the Cougars played at Hawaii, Crowton received permission from Utah coach Ron McBride to discuss the job opening at BYU with Kaufusi. Crowton said he met with Kaufusi after returning from Hawaii.
Kaufusi said McBride presented a counteroffer to keep him at Utah, but he declined. "I told him I was firm in my decision," Kaufusi said.
Crowton downplayed the implications of hiring an assistant coach from the rival school. "I don't see this as a raiding of the University of Utah's coaching staff," he said. "It's just what happens in this profession. A lot of guys move around and look for their best opportunities. Coach McBride was very cooperative in allowing me to talk to Steve."
It doesn't appear there will be other coaching changes in Provo for now.
"I'm real happy with the coaching staff," Crowton said. "I feel like this completes the staff at this time."
E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com