Tevita Finau

Tevita Finau
Personal information
Born:	January 13, 1986 (age 38); Hamilton, New Zealand
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	288 lb (131 kg)
Career information
High school:	Kahuku (HI)
College:	University of Utah
Career history
As a player:
	Arizona Cardinals (2012); Philadelphia Eagles (2012); Dallas Cowboys (2012); New York Jets (2012–2014); Houston Texans (2015)*;
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
	University of Utah (2021); Graduate assistant; University of Utah (2022); Defensive administrative assistant; Utah State University (2023); Defensive line coach; University of Utah (2024); Defense;
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

Tevita Tolu Finau (Born January 13, 1986) is a New Zealand-born former professional American football defensive linemen and current football coach. He played college football at the University of Utah. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2012.

He was also a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, and Houston Texans.

Early life

Born in Hamilton, New Zealand, to Tolu Halaapiapi and Finau Takinima, he has lived in New Zealand, Tonga, and in Hawaii. Finau attended three high schools in Hawaii: Lahainaluna High School as a freshman and sophomore, Maui High School his junior year, and Kahuku High & Intermediate School as a senior. He was a three-time first-team all-state honoree in basketball from 2002 to 2004. He helped Kahuku win the Hawaii State Football Championship in 2004.^[1]

College career

Finau played two seasons of junior college football for Phoenix College before originally committing to play football at West Virginia University. The highly-touted recruit never made it to Morgantown however, and Finau eventually ended up enrolling at the University of Utah, where he appeared in 21 games in his two-year career for the Utes and finished with 72 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks, and 13 TFL's.^{[citation needed]} He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Utah.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Finau was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on November 14, 2012, after going undrafted and spending time in training camp with both the Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles. Finau was released from the practice squad on November 27, 2012.^{[citation needed]}

New York Jets

Finau was signed to the New York Jets practice squad on December 5, 2012.^[2] He signed a future/reserve contract on December 31, 2013.^[3] He was released on August 31, 2014.^[4] He was signed to the team's practice squad a day later.^[5]

Houston Texans

Finau was signed by the Houston Texans to a reserve futures contract on December 30, 2014. He was cut on September 6, 2015.^[6]

Coaching career

Orem High School

Finau served as a football coach at Orem High School in Orem, Utah, for five seasons from 2015 to 2019, including four years as co-defensive coordinator.^[7]

University of Utah

Finau served as a graduate assistant in 2021 and a defensive administrative assistant in 2022. Those teams won back-to-back Pac-12 titles and made two consecutive Rose Bowl appearances against Ohio State and Penn State, respectively.^{[citation needed]}

Utah State University

Finau was hired as the defensive line coach at Utah State in 2023.^[7] The Aggies had a 6–7 record and finished the year playing in the Idaho Potatoe Bowl against Georgia State.^{[citation needed]}

Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship

2022 Spent the off-season with the 2022 Super Bowl Champions. Los Angeles Rams.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ "Tevita Finau". University of Utah. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
^ Jets Media Relations Department (December 5, 2012). "DT Finau Signed to Practice Squad". New York Jets. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
^ Jets Media Relations Department (December 31, 2013). "Jets Sign 8 to Reserve/Future Contracts". newyorkjets.com. New York Jets. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
^ Lange, Randy (August 31, 2014). "Jets Move 22, Get Down to 53-Man Active Roster". newyorkjets.com. New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 3, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
^ Lange, Randy (September 1, 2014). "3 Arrive Via Waivers; 7 Added to Practice Squad". newyorkjets.com. New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
^ "Houston Texans cut 18 players, including Louis Nix III". ESPN. September 6, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Wood, Trent (February 9, 2023). "Utah State hires University of Utah alum as defensive tackles coach". Deseret News. Retrieved December 19, 2024.

External links

Utah Utes bio

[Utah-1] "Tevita Finau". University of Utah. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

[2] Jets Media Relations Department (December 5, 2012). "DT Finau Signed to Practice Squad". New York Jets. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.

[3] Jets Media Relations Department (December 31, 2013). "Jets Sign 8 to Reserve/Future Contracts". newyorkjets.com. New York Jets. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.

[4] Lange, Randy (August 31, 2014). "Jets Move 22, Get Down to 53-Man Active Roster". newyorkjets.com. New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 3, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.

[5] Lange, Randy (September 1, 2014). "3 Arrive Via Waivers; 7 Added to Practice Squad". newyorkjets.com. New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.

[6] "Houston Texans cut 18 players, including Louis Nix III". ESPN. September 6, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.

[deseret-7] Wood, Trent (February 9, 2023). "Utah State hires University of Utah alum as defensive tackles coach". Deseret News. Retrieved December 19, 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]