Stephen Tsai: Ex-Hawaii coach Craig Stutzmann wouldn’t change his ‘Rocky’ journey

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San Jose State offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann was proof that dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.

In 2021, the Hawaii-reared Stutzmann was a co-offensive coordinator in the Pac-12 — the legit version — and the Washington State football team was riding a three-game winning streak.

“Things were going great,” Stutzmann recalled, “and maybe there were opportunities (for coaching jobs) after that.”

And then Stutzmann put a pin in the dream.

At the start of the 2021 season, Washington State athletic director Pat Chun set an Oct. 18 deadline for the coaches to comply with the state’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

Head coach Nick Rolovich and four assistants, including Stutzmann, declined to receive the vaccine. On Oct. 19, all five were fired.

“It’s unfair to say it’s all because of Rolo’s decision,” Stutzmann said of his former Hawaii football teammate. “It’s not. It really isn’t. Everybody makes their own personal choices. Honestly, we never really discussed that very much because it was a personal thing. Nobody has influence on one another. It was top down, talking about Rolo down. He wasn’t going to pressure anybody, and nobody was going to pressure him. It was everybody’s personal decision.”

And it was Stutzmann’s decision to remain faithful to his choice not to receive the shot.

“Everybody in my inner circle was 100% on board and understood the decision that we’re gonna make,” Stutzmann said. “As a result, thing happen, and we’re no longer at Washington State.”

And it appeared at the time, Stutzmann would not be coaching in the NCAA anytime soon.

“It was hard to find a job,” said Stutzmann, who eventually was hired at Utah Tech in January 2022. “It was really the only job that was available. And, initially, it wasn’t available. It just worked out. … Faith in God, and (God) provided.”

Stutzmann likened his journey to Rocky Balboa’s. Stutzmann grew up in Varsity Circle, just outside of what is now the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex. He was a standout slotback at UH, made the coaching circuit, circled back as the Warriors’ offensive coordinator, and followed Rolovich to Washington State.

“My man (Rocky) is climbing up the ladder,” Stutzmann said. “He’s getting to where he wants to go. And all of a sudden there’s a setback in Rocky (III). … And he’s got to go back to the grind.”

Under the tutelage of a former foe, Rocky trains at Apollo Creed’s no-frills “Tough Gym” in Los Angeles, where he regains the “eye of the tiger” and, eventually, the title.

After a year at Utah Tech and another at Texas State, Stutzmann received an offer from San Jose State head coach Kenny Niumatalolo, a former UH quarterback and coach, to serve as the Spartans’ offensive coordinator.

“It was almost cinematic,” Stutzmann said of his coaching comeback. “The things that I went through … in that profession during that time, it was very similar to, I would say, Rocky.”

Stutzmann said he was “blessed” to receive the offer from Niumatalolo, who also was making a professional comeback. In December 2023, Navy declined to retain Niumatalolo for a 17th season as head coach. In January 2024, San Jose State hired Niumatalolo, who then asked Stutzmann to implement the spread-and-shred offense.

“It’s been nothing but a blessing,” Stutzmann said. “It’s been fun. My brother (Billy Ray) is here (as receivers coach and pass-game coordinator). My son is here. My wife is here. My parents get a chance to come out. There are a lot of local coaches or people familiar with Hawaii here. A lot of local players. This is what I need. This is where I’m at. And I’m excited to be where my feet are right now.”

It also will be a homecoming when the Spartans play the Warriors on Saturday at Ching.

“Through that adversity,” Stutzmann said. “was the juice worth it to squeeze? Absolutely. I wouldn’t change it for the world. If I were to go back in time and they said, ‘Well, if you do this, you’re going to be at Washington State and, after that, maybe you have a chance to be a head coach at a Big Ten (school) or the Big 12,’ I wouldn’t change it.

“Because where I am in my personal life, and who I’m with, and who I trust, and the things that got drained … I’m in a way better place where I’m at right now.”

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