Summary: Timmy Chang’s life reads like a deeply Hawaii-born football man’s odyssey—staying home to build a program, leaning on a devoted family, and guiding Hawai‘i back toward national relevance as he enters his fourth season as UH head coach.
Timmy Chang’s defining life moment reads like a quiet defiance: a celebrated high school quarterback who could have chased West Coast opportunities, he chose to stay in Hawai‘i. As Saint Louis’s All-American signal-caller, Chang drew offers from California, USC, Washington and Utah, among others. Yet he favored remaining on the islands, a decision that his father, Levi Chang, supported even as he wished for his son to explore beyond Hawai‘i’s shores. The bond between father and son shaped a recruiting class many on the islands still regard as Hawai‘i’s best ever, and Timmy became the crown jewel of Hawai‘i’s 2000 class.
At Hawai‘i, Chang blossomed into a four-year starter and a prolific passer, later returning home in 2022 to lead the Rainbow Warriors as head coach. His fourth season at the helm begins with a nationally televised home opener against Stanford at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. The elder Chang, a disciplined school administrator who also coached basketball and officiated football games, was a fixture at UH games, often serving as a play clock official. He witnessed Timmy’s historic career, including the moment in 2004 when Chang set an NCAA record for career passing yards and handed the ball to his father after a late touchdown. Levi Chang passed away in 2015 as Timmy’s coaching journey was gaining speed.
Timmy and Sherry Chang’s partnership is a central thread of the story. Their path to stability together began in Hamilton, Ontario, where Chang played in the CFL and met Sherry, a Hamilton native. She describes a gentlemanly Timmy, a man whose humility and charm never left him, and she details the deep bond with his parents—a dynamic that still influences their family life today. They have five children and continue to place family first even as Timmy’s coaching career has demanded more of their time and energy.
The road back to Hawai‘i’s sideline was arduous. After going undrafted in 2005, Chang’s professional career included stints with the Arizona Cardinals, the Detroit Lions, and NFL Europe’s Rhein Fire, followed by the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His foray into coaching began in earnest in 2009 when he retired from playing and returned home with Sherry. With their young family, he faced the uphill climb of breaking into coaching—an uphill climb that included a first break with Mililani as offensive coordinator in 2012, then a graduate assistant role with June Jones at SMU, all while he and Sherry strapped for every opportunity.
The turning point came when Hawai‘i’s coaching situation grew unstable. After a public, high-profile shake-up in 2022, Timmy Chang finally earned the UH head-coaching job he had hoped for, with the support of people around him who believed in his authenticity and his vision for rebuilding Hawai‘i football. Norvell, who had worked with Chang at Nevada and SMU, praised his character and football intellect, noting that Chang’s authenticity is what helps players rally to him.
The rebuild at Hawai‘i has not been quick or easy. The program faced a transfer portal exodus and an uneven recruiting landscape, all while lacking a permanent home stadium and dealing with a depleted roster. By the start of fall camp, UH had 53 newcomers in the fold, and Chang’s staff had to get creative to fill the gaps and re-energize a fanbase scarred by recent struggles. In response, the Chang family helped spearhead local initiatives, including the Sistahhood Social, to engage the community and raise funds for the program.
Nevertheless, there are signs of progress. The 2022 season delivered a painful 3-10 record, but the program has steadily gained momentum as players who remained or chose Hawai‘i over the lure of six-figure offers began to gel. The team’s trajectory has bolstered confidence that a breakthrough season could be within reach. The coaching staff has cited players like receivers Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle as emerging impact players, and Hawai‘i’s recruiting win for quarterback Micah Alejado is seen as a pivotal development for the offense.
Jeff Reinebold, UH’s defensive tackle coach, has described Chang as a builder who has worked to reconstruct not just the roster but the culture and the community around the program. Reinebold and others emphasize that Chang’s work ethic, his ties to the state, and his hands-on approach have begun to bear fruit after years of navigating the program through a difficult period.
The Chang family’s commitment goes beyond wins and losses. Timmy and Sherry’s three decades of dedication—moving through multiple stops, supporting their children, and investing in the Hawai‘i community—underscore a belief that this is more than a job. It’s a mission to restore Hawai‘i football to national prominence while keeping the program’s heart rooted in the islands.
What lies ahead for Hawai‘i under Timmy Chang is a mix of promise and responsibility. After a long rebuild, the team believes it is closer to the level of consistency needed to contend at a higher level. The wider community has responded with renewed optimism, and the Changs’ leadership—both on the field and in the stands—has become a symbol of resilience for Hawai‘i.
Key takeaways
– Timmy Chang’s choice to stay in Hawai‘i shaped both his career and the program’s narrative, influenced by a family foundation built on honesty and loyalty.
– Chang’s ascent from UH quarterback to head coach is tied to a years-long rebuild that blends on-field strategy with community outreach.
– The 2025 season represents a potential turning point after years of challenges, with new players and a stronger cultural foundation in place.
– The Chang family’s involvement—through Sherry’s initiatives and Timmy’s leadership—has become a model of how a program can engage its community to drive long-term success.
Additional comments and context
– The ongoing rebuild at Hawai‘i appears to be reaching a tipping point, with a more stable recruitment pipeline and a clearer sense of identity for the program.
– Timmy Chang’s personal journey—from local legend to national figure and back as a coach—offers a compelling narrative for fans, recruits, and donors alike.
– The family’s role in the program’s culture and outreach suggests UH football can leverage its unique story to foster stronger community ties and broaden support for the team.
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