Southern Utah University Athletics

A three-time All-Great West Conference performer for the Thunderbirds, Rob Takeno returns to SUU as linebackers coach this season after spending the 2013 season as a graduate assistant on the staff at Utah State.

Last year Coach Takeno helped the Aggies to a 9-5 record and an appearance in the Poinsettia Bowl, where USU posted a 21-14 win over then No. 24 Northern Illinois.

Following his graduation from SUU in 2010, Coach Takeno played one season with the Fairbanks Grizzlies of the Indoor Football League and worked as linebackers coach during the 2010 season at his prep alma mater, Salt Lake City-area Hillcrest High School. He then moved on to Snow Junior College where he served two seasons as the Badgers' linebackers coach, helping Snow to a 10-3 mark and a Top of the Mountain Bowl title in 2011, then an 11-1 record as well as a win in the inagural Carrier Bowl in 2012.

While at Southern Utah, Coach Takeno was a four-year starter at linebacker and a two-time first-team all-GWC honoree as well as a second-team selection following his sophomore season. He led SUU in tackles in 2007, '08 and '09 and he finished his playing years ranked second on Southern Utah's career tackles list with 342.

Coach Takeno earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from SUU in 2009 before going on to earn a master's degree in sports conditioning in 2011.