Anthony Raass

🇹🇴 Father of many. Married to THE one. Blessed with the best. Vallivue Dline Coach

[Anthony Raass @raass_anthony]

https://t.co/XQbcXgAOxM Check out my sons senior szn highlights! Proud of my boy! Ofa lahi atu❤️ #raassblood 😤🤘🏾

[Los Angeles Dodgers @Dodgers]

#DodgersWin!

FINAL: #Dodgers 7, Yankees 6

[Anthony Raass @raass_anthony]

😤🇹🇴

[BOISpotter @BoiSpotter]

Line Drops on the #valleyfire yesterday east of Boise.
@KTVB
@CBS2Boise

[Anthony Raass @raass_anthony]

It’s good to be back…..

[Alabama Football @AlabamaFTBL]

No Bad Days. 🥛

[Barstool Sports @barstoolsports]

MAX HOLLOWAY KNOCKS OUT JUSTIN GAETHJE WITH A SECOND LEFT @SpinninBackfist #UFC300

https://t.co/ThN7ntXJTO

[UFC @ufc]

AT THE BUZZER!!!! 🤯

@BlessedMMA gets the KO victory with ONE second to go #UFC300

[AD_99 @AaronDonald97]

Cheers to what’s next. Extending a big thank you to the Rams and all of the fans for your support over these last 10 years. Much love. 🍾🙏🏽💪🏽

[Mark Atuaia @CoachAtuaia]

Two years ago, the US Census showed Polynesians representing less than 1% of our nation’s population; however, over 100 Polynesians made active rosters in the NFL this past year — roughly 5% of the league. For coaches though, in both College and the NFL, that percentage is SIGNIFICANTLY lower.

NFL HOF Troy Polamalu stated, “We’re definitely very represented as players, but there’s also a lot of talented coaches out there, that should be making some bigger noise as far as head coaching opportunities with as much impact as we have in the game.”

To date, there are 3 Head Coaches of Polynesian bloodlines: @kalanifsitake Kalani SItake (BYU); @CoachTimmyChang Timmy Chang (Hawaii); and @ken_niumatalolo Kenny Niumatalolo (San Jose). Within the professional ranks, my Uso @MiamiDolphins Anthony Weaver, newly named DC for Miami, is the closest to the HC mantle in the NFL.

These past two days, the @NCMFC1 National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches reached down and “pulled-up” Polynesian coaches by inviting us to experience the Coalition’s purpose: to Prepare, Promote, and Produce. Thank you, @RealCoachCarter for facilitating everything for us.

I was invited, along with 7 other Polynesian brothers @TevitaLose @DjTialavea_86 @AnaeCoach @CoachBojay @coachfrankmaile (2 sitting HCs tagged above) to be on a panel answering questions regarding the current issues we face within our profession. I’ll let those who were present at the meeting speak to our collective content’s effectiveness and relevance, but undeniable these past two days was the love, appreciation, and concern the Coalition showed us as first-time attendees.

I spent 6 seasons at the University of Virginia and found a stark contrast between how Polynesians were viewed by the factions we served while there (this is my personal experience so take it for what it’s worth). On the west coast, Polynesians are considered “Non-White.” On the east coast, Polynesians are considered “Non-Black.” The nuances and intricacies attached to those claims take time to explain which I will gladly do later. Regardless, Polynesian football coaches add value to the collective football landscape and more representation will soon be earned by the lot of us.

Granted, Race is such an incendiary topic and people avoid meaningful dialogue because they “don’t want that smoke.” I, however, will speak on what I experienced these past two days because I saw Black, White, and Brown also our female coaches — through the spirit of love for football and each other — genuinely work together to become killer at our respective crafts.

As I stated in our meeting on Friday, I am a lawyer and legally trained; however, I don’t use logic to formulate strategy—I use my heart and feel my way through situations. Even before @TerpsFootball Mike Locksley started the conference, you could feel the love and comradery in the air—different from all the other coaches conferences I’ve been to in the past, Coach Locksley’s introductory welcome was icing on the cake.

John Bunyan (an English preacher) said, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” The National Coalition for Minority Football Coaches absolutely “lived” these past two days within us Polynesian football coaches who attended the conference. Hence, with all the gratitude I can muster, I say “Fa’afetai tele lava” from all of us first time attendees. As Frank said, “We are a bunch of small islands in the South Pacific. If you aren’t looking carefully, you’ll miss us on a map.” Therefore, we’re back to keepin’ our heads down, putting our shoulders to the boulder, and pushing with all our might, knowing our value is seen. Thanks @NCMFC1 for seeing us.

Onward and upwards. Safe travels to one and all who attended the conference.

Mark Atuaia🤟🏾

[Mark Atuaia @CoachAtuaia]

Before you read any further, understand this notion clearly: WE SIGNED UP FOR THIS LIFE.

Three years ago, out of the blue (its been well documented), I was without a job and was forever blessed when @CoachDickert pulled my family and me out of the figurative scrapyard in Virginia and salvaged us to the Palouse.

It’s standard practice for an assistant coach’s contract to be tied to their HC’s one; whatever the HC unilaterally chooses to do with his career, our futures as assistants are also tied to that choice. Sometimes those choices personally work in our favor, other times they don’t.

Inoke Breckterfield @CoachNokesDL is my childhood friend/bradda—my TokoUso if you will. He was the University of Washington’s DL coach for the past 2 years. He was part of the debris left in the wake of the Washington/Alabama HC transition; Alabama decided to keep their incubent DL coach thus making Inoke the odd-man out. Three years ago, that was me at UVA enduring tons of ambiguity surrounding my professional future. It’s hard to mentally grasp because you didn’t get fired, but you’re still without a job.

I am particular about what I post on my social media platforms. I felt strongly to highlight Inoke because our profession is in desperate need to find and keep men of substance. I emphatically put my stamp of approval that Inoke is one of them.

Hell, the most baffling thing to me is that he was coaching his ass off in the National Championship game against Michigan last week and then 3 days later he’s jobless. Shoot, come to think of it, that scenario will also happen to the 10 assistants of the National Champs at Michigan should Coach H. take a NFL HC job in the near future. Again, that’s our crazy profession and exactly what we signed-up for when we entered it.

Nokes, I just wanted you to know that your brother in Pullman is thinking of you. We’re just two fwams from the 808 tryna make it in this dog-eat-dog world. Head back, chin up, chest out, and let’s attack this situation like we do everything else: with God at the helm giving everything we got. I’m sure you’ll land someplace soon (you’re too good a coach not to) but I understand these unsettling times so I wanted you to know I have your six.

Truth be told, I hope Coach F keeps you on at UW. You got me in Pullman our first Apple Cup and we were 5 seconds away from kickin’ your asses out of the CFP (that one still stings) this year. I gotta get one on you, Boso.

Love you, my bradda🤟🏾

Mark Atuaia

[EOU Football @EouFootball]

Mounties are back in action this week! Excited to get back to work!

#MountUp

[adidas POLYNESIAN BOWL @polynesiabowl]

INTRODUCING THE 2024 POLYNESIAN BOWL HELMETS BY @RiddellSports

#PolyBowl 🤙🏽🌴

@nflnetwork

[FOX College Football @CFBONFOX]

Former USC QB Malachi Nelson has transferred to Boise State

[Anthony Raass @raass_anthony]

Congrats Brotha!!

[Shea McClellin @mcckshea]

Excited for this opportunity! Time to get to work. 😤

Thanks @Coach_CAndersen for the 🔥 edit! 💯

[FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX]

Shohei Ohtani is signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers

[Mark Atuaia @CoachAtuaia]

Packing for my recruiting trip at this early hour talking with my wife about…THINGS…has me feeling some type of way.

In my opinion, the principal problem in college football today is that it has morphed into a disorganized, quasi NFL model that’s ill-governed by rules/regulations designed for a “student-athlete” system that’s unfortunately becoming obsolete.

Again, it’s my opinion that the academic focus of student-athletes nationwide in college football has taken a backseat to all issues/concerns/drama relevant to the transfer portal, conference realignment, and the coaching carousel.

Either we’re about educating young people through sport, or maximizing the financial earning potential of young people within an educational realm using grades/eligibility as a requisite to participate. Attempting to do both is why college football has an identity crisis and why chaos is widespread within it. Rules and guidelines must match both models for a harmonious execution ensuring a better college football experience for all parties involved. Pipe dream? Maybe. But the current way we’re going is unsustainable.

Needless to say, operating under this penumbra is hella frustrating, but, hell, what do I know? I’m just a stupid football coach packing for a recruiting trip that starts in a couple of hours🤷🏽‍♂️😂.

Thoughts from the recruiting trail

[Rugby World Cup @rugbyworldcup]

Ben Tameifuna! 💪 🇹🇴

Tonga are back in this one at 24 - 17

#RWC2023 | #SCOvTGA

[Anthony Raass @raass_anthony]

@BussinWTB Mall Security

[ESPN College Football @ESPNCFB]

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BEGINS THIS MONTH‼️

And @PostMalone is here to get us ready 🎵

[Anthony Raass @raass_anthony]

Introducing Imua One | Southwest Airlines https://t.co/Fk15c8YKci via @YouTube