Manoa Latu (pronounced Ma-no-uh La-to) is in his third year with Utah State’s football program as a graduate assistant coach for the Aggies’ defense. In his role, Latu assists the defensive coaches with daily football operations, primarily working with the defensive backs and co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Kendrick Shaver.
In 2015, Latu helped Utah State’s defense rank 12th nationally in passing yards allowed (180.5 pg), and 17th nationally in total defense, allowing just 332.5 yards per game.
As a graduate assistant in 2014, Latu helped Utah State’s defense finish the season ranking first in the Mountain West and 12th in the nation in scoring at 19.7 points per game. USU also ranked first in the MW and fourth nationally in both sacks (3.57 pg) and tackles for loss (8.1 pg), second in the MW and eighth in the nation in passes intercepted (19), second in the MW and ninth in the nation in defensive touchdowns (5), and second in the MW and 11th in the nation in turnovers forced (30).
Latu came to Utah State after spending the 2013 season as a graduate assistant at Central Washington working with the safeties. Prior to that, Latu spent the 2012 season as a student assistant at Portland State working with the defensive backs.
Latu played college football at Portland State (2010-11) and saw action in all 22 games. During his senior season, he recorded 38 tackles, including 0.5 for loss, to go along with three passes defended and one interception. As a junior, he ranked second on the team with 72 tackles and led the Vikings with three interceptions, while adding six pass breakups, one forced fumble and 2.5 tackles for loss. He finished his junior season ranking 21st in the Big Sky Conference in total tackles and fourth in interceptions.
As a junior, he led the team in tackles five times, and had 10-plus tackles twice, including a career-high 13 stops against UC Davis and 11 tackles against Weber State. He was also named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week following his performance against Idaho State as he had six tackles, including 1.5 for loss, to go along with two pass breakups and two interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown.
Latu, a native of Kapahulu, Hawaii, graduated from Portland State in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in community health.