SALT LAKE CITY — Former BYU offensive coordinator Robert Anae is staying with Bronco Mendenhall in Virginia.
Anae announced Tuesday he is withdrawing his name from the head coaching search at Hawaii.
“After careful consideration I am withdrawing my application for the University of Hawaii head football coach position,” Anae said in the statement, per The Athletic’s Chris Vannini. “I have been overwhelmed with the commitment by coach Mendenhall and the leadership of (athletics director) Carla Williams. I am excited to close out our recruiting class as we continue our quest for the conference championship.”
The Rainbow Warriors are searching for a head coach after Nick Rolovich, the program’s coach from 2016-19, left to take over at Washington State, replacing BYU graduate Mike Leach.
Anae, a Hawaii native, played on the Cougars’ offensive line in the 1980s, including BYU’s 1984 national championship team, and was the program’s offensive coordinator from 2005-10, then again from 2013-15.
Anae moved with Mendenhall, BYU’s head coach from 2005-2015, to Virginia in 2016 to become the Cavaliers’ offensive coordinator.
The 61-year-old Anae was reportedly in Hawaii to interview for the Hawaii head coaching position over the weekend, according NBC 29 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Last year, Anae’s Virginia offense averaged 32.1 points and 388.4 yards per game. The Cavaliers finished 9-5 and reached the ACC championship game in Mendenhall’s fourth season at Virginia.