McKendree University Athletics

Opetaia Tuiava is entering his second season as an assistant football coach at McKendree and he will continue to work with the Bearcats' defensive line. 

Tuiava came to McKendree McKendree after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan. Tuiava coached linebackers in 2019 and spent the 2020 season coaching the defensive line and serving as the recruiting coordinator.

Prior to returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach, Tuiava spent one season as the outside linebackers coach at NCAA Division II  Colorado School of the Mines. While at Mines, he set up practice plans, presentations, defensive scouting reports and updated depth charts. He also served as the Assistant Academic Coordinator and Assistant Youth Camp Director.

In addition to working at Colorado Mines, Tuiava served as the Bill Walsh Minority Intern with the Houston Texans and assisted with the defensive line.

In 2017, Tuiava was a graduate assistant football coach at Lindenwood University-Belleville in Belleville, Ill. While working with the Lynx, Tuiava was the defensive line coach and assistant defensive backs coach and he worked as an assistant position coach for the Falcon School District in Colorado Springs, Colo., from 2014-17.

As a student-athlete at the University of Saint Mary, Tuiava was a Second-Team All-KCAC honoree in 2011 and also earned All-KCAC Honorable Mention honors in 2012. He was also the team’s Champions of Character nominee in 2012. 

Tuiava earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saint Mary in 2013.