Kapaa head coach Mike Tresler (right) poses for a picture with former Warriors' head coach Philip Rapozo. ScoringLive file photo

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Mike Tresler is a name synonymous with football and the island of Kauai.

The 1986 graduate of Kauai High School starred for the Red Raiders on the gridiron during his prep days before going on to earn all-conference honors at the University of Hawaii as a safety.

After finishing up his playing days, Tresler returned to Kauai and has coached at both his alma mater and, more recently, at Kapaa High, where the Warriors have been among the state's top programs in Division II.

Kapaa has won the last three Kauai Interscholastic Federation championships under coach Philip Rapozo, who compiled a 43-14 record in six seasons before he stepped down in January. It reached the D2 state final in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, but lost each time (the first time to Radford and the last three against Lahainaluna).

Tresler had previously served as defensive coordinator at both Kapaa, as well as his alma mater, but was tabbed with his first head coaching gig after Rapozo's resignation.

Tresler, who, in addition to his coaching duties, serves as the Acting Deputy Engineer for the county of Kauai, took some time out of his busy schedule to talk some football last week.

Q: Congratulations, first of all. It's been a few months since you took over as head coach. What was the initial feeling when you found out you were selected and what's it been like since then?

A: "We are extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity. I was and still am happy for our coaching ohana that have stuck together and waited patiently for the opportunity. We've had tremendous support from the administration and community."

Q: What was your first order of business as head coach?

A: "Set expectations for our student-athletes that aligned with the expectations of the administration, parents, community and coaching staff."

Q: What's your background in football, both playing and coaching?

A: "I began playing Pop Warner football here on Kauai at a young age, played and graduated from Kauai High School and was fortunate to then play football at UH-Manoa. I was a defensive back, strong safety and played a lot of special teams. I was fortunate to meet with Rich Miano, worked out and trained with him, which helped elevate my game. I had a great experience while playing football there and made some of my best friends in life, such as the famous, or infamous Dave "Mento" Maeva (laughs)."

Q: This is your first head coaching job. How will this be different for you than your previous roles?

A: "My past roles predominantly have been as a defensive and special teams coordinator. The difference is the administrative tasks of running a program that is heavily focused on the student-athletes success, not only on the field but in academics. On the coaching side, a big difference or challenge is the delegation of coaching duties, particularly on the defensive side. Because it is almost innate for me to jump in and coach up our student-athletes, I need to focus on letting my brotherhood of excellent coaches do their thing."

Q: Who has been a coaching mentor to you over the years?

A: "I had great coaching when I was at UH and that laid the foundation. Mentors such as Rich Miano and Kale Ane have been instrumental in my coaching development. Coach Ane was our strength and conditioning coach at UH and a group of us have continued that bond till today. I have and continue to see his advice and counsel."

Q: How much will familiarity with each other help both you and the players through this coaching transition?

A: "My last coaching stint was at Kapaa High School and while there, our group of coaches also coached at the youth level. Kauai Youth Football, unlimited weight thankfully, started by Brad Hironaka, is a feeder program to the high school. We coached many of the players who are now varsity players. We had a lot of success with them at that level and look forward to the same at the high school level."

Q: What can we expect out of a Mike Tresler-coached Kapaa football team?

A: "We can expect that we will be excellent students, perform as a disciplined football TEAM, being good community members, having fun and enjoying life."

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

A: "Yes, right now during this pandemic, it is difficult to think about anything else other than the safety of each other, our families and our community. We all need to practice self-discipline to do the necessary things to overcome the virus. Stay focused and keep each other safe. Hope is crucial and so I think it is also important for us to look forward to better days and for a lot of us that means football season! God bless and stay healthy."