Kamehameha Schools Names New Varsity Head Football Coach

February 14, 2007

Contributed by Thomas Yoshida

Stant, a former Kahuku High (1981) and University of Hawai'i (1987-'89) football standout, joins Kamehameha after coaching and serving as general manager for IBM-Japan's corporate professional football team in Tokyo. He has worked in Japan's highest-level professional football league since 1990.

"David brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and proven track record as a head football coach to the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama High School program," AD Souza said. "He has won four Divisional championships, three League championships, and three National championships in Japan's highest-level professional football league. He is one of the most respected football minds in Japan. A tremendous organizer, who believes in the positive approach in teaching, he has also mentored a number of successful coaches now coaching at the college and professional levels in America. He will provide Kamehameha Schools Kapālama with strong, honest, caring, personable leadership that will enable our football program to continue to be aligned with the school's culture and mission. We are fortunate to have a man with such strong Hawaiian values and integrity as a part of our Athletics staff. I am excited about the opportunity to work with David."

The Warriors last won the state high school championship in 2004.

Kamehameha Kapālama High School Principal Julian Ako added, "The decision on whom to select was a very difficult one because we had several extremely strong candidates from which to choose. I am confident that Mr. Stant will not only bring the highest level of football coaching to our program, but, importantly, he will also be able to help us build the culture of athletics at Kamehameha that we are moving towards."

Born and raised in Hawai'i, Stant earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. He is in the process of moving back to Hawai'i now, and will begin his tenure at Kamehameha as soon as he is able to tie up his personal business affairs in Japan. This new position will allow David to be back with his family full time. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Laurie, and they have four children. David's parents also live in Hawai'i.

Kamehameha Schools is a private, educational, charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Kamehameha Schools operates a statewide educational system enrolling more than 6,500 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i and 30 preschool sites statewide. Thousands of additional Hawaiian learners are served each year through a range of other Kamehameha Schools' outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawai'i and across the continental United States.