As both and player and a coach, Dennis Thurman's football career has been one that those in the industry aspire to.
Thurman, who was recently elected to the College Football Hall of Fame after an All-American career at USC, played in the NFL for nine years and coached in it for 14, spending two years each as the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.
The latest stop in Thurman's coaching career, 35 years and counting, took him to Mānoa, where he has been the University of Hawai‘i's defensive coordinator since the 2024 season.
Thurman led the Rainbow Warriors to a key turnaround in his first season. His unit gave up 26 points per game in 2024, compared to 32.23 in 2023. He also reduced UH's yards per game surrendered to 312 in 2024 compared to 419 in 2023.
Aloha State Daily caught up with Thurman, 68, for a Q&A after a recent spring practice for the University of Hawai‘i football team.
Aloha State Daily: First of all, congratulations on getting elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. What was your reaction when you found out about that?
Dennis Thurman: "I didn't really react. It's a great honor, but I've been out of college for 47 years, so it is what it is. I appreciate it, but that's long, long passed."
ASD: You earned a lot of praise last year for the work you did with the defense. How would you evaluate your first season with UH?
Thurman: "Some good, some not so good, but that's to be expected. We had some some highs and we had some lows. Our lows appeared to be worse than our highs, and that's why we were 5-7. We didn't travel well defensively. Our goal is to be better all the way around, but we also have to play better on the road, and we know the opponent doesn't matter. It's about us doing what we're supposed to do, and if we run into a team that's just better than us, OK, they're just better than us. But there were some games last year where we didn't feel that way once the game was over, yet we were on the losing end. So, you know, some things that we're working on this spring to correct that."
ASD: You must have enjoyed your time here if you decided to come back another season.
Thurman: "I am enjoying being around these young people. I'm enjoying coaching college football. I mean, I've coached at the professional level for almost 20 years. And I've played nine years, so when you look at it, I spent 27 years of my life in the (professional ranks). I know what it's about. But I've also spent a number of years in college football. It's just these young people, they do something to you. I mean, their dreams are their dreams, and if you can help one or two of them fulfill a dream and have a better life, then you feel like there's a greater sense of accomplishment to that. So, I'm enjoying my time here with these young people, and we'll see what happens."
ASD: What have you seen out of your unit this spring, and what are you hoping to see leading into the season?
Thurman: "We've improved. We've improved I believe, in our overall talent on defense. I believe that a year in the system has benefited us. We're ahead of where we were mentally at this time last year. We're starting to understand exactly what we're trying to accomplish on defense and with the calls that we're making, why we're making the calls. It's not just that we're making a call and there's no rhyme or reason to that and we're just calling it. No, there's a reason why we're calling this. And they're beginning to understand the reasoning, and therefore the overall philosophy of what we're trying to do, and they're beginning to understand it."
ASD: What advice would you have for young coaches that are trying to carve out a career for themselves?
Thurman: "When you get an opportunity to walk into a building, you determine how long you stay in that building. The job that you are given, do the best that you can at that job. Don't be looking for your next job. 'OK, hey, I want to be there.' No. Do a great job with the job that you're there to do, and people will notice that. Be loyal. Be good in terms of, 'Hey, I'm a good team guy. I'm all about the team. It's not about me,' and just do a great job. And, you know, do what your boss tells you to do."
ASD: Is there anyone that stands out to you from that perspective?
Thurman: "For our coaching staff, (cornerbacks coach) PJ Minaya. He's doing a great job. He's one of my favorites, one of the guys that I work closest with, because we work together with the corners and the secondary, and I just think he's got a chance. I mean, his mindset, having been a quarterback. He can coach them from an offensive perspective and what the quarterback is looking for. Having played quarterback in high school myself, I understand exactly what he's doing, so now you can look at that and give them information that someone else may not be able to give them."
ASD: What do you make of (2024 UH MVP) Cam Stone's NFL potential as he goes through the pre-draft circuit?
Thurman: "The most important thing he's going to have is his pro day. Obviously, he played in (Hula Bowl on Jan. 11). I don't know how he did. I have not seen the tape, but it's all about how you handle yourself. Are you professional off the field as well as on? Are you going to study and put the time in to become a professional, learn the scheme, learn the system and be about your business and being accepted in the locker room by your peers? There's a lot that goes into it. A lot of people watch television. They think that the game is easy. Television does football and every other pro sport a disservice, because it slows it down. It makes people think that they can do it. It's not for everybody. It's like being on the freeway surrounded by cars and they're going 70 miles an hour and you're just standing there. OK, you're probably going to get run over. You got to understand what you're dealing with. It's much different when you're out there and how he can catch up to the speed of it, how quickly he can adjust to that. I think he'll be fine."
ASD: What's your favorite Hawai‘i related activity?
Thurman: "Just watching the palm trees sway back and forth and have a nice breeze and be able to sit and look out of my living room and see the skyline, and see the beauty of this place and just chill. I'm not running around at my age now. I don't run around. I just kind of stroll and stay low-key and just do my thing, which is a lot of nothing."
ASD: Thanks a lot for your time, coach. Is there anything you'd like to add?
Thurman: "No, I'm good. Thank you. I appreciate it."
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
