2025 marks the second season in Las Vgegas for Kurt Taufa'asau as he was named the head football coach at New Mexico Highlands University on May 29, 2024.

His first win at NMHU came on October 12, 2024, when he led the Cowboys to a thrilling 33-30 win over Chadron State in front of a Homecoming crowd at Sanchez Family Stadium.  

Taufa'asau came to NMHU from New Mexico Military Institute where he led the Bronco football program for three seasons and compiled a 27-10 overall record and a 15-6 mark in the SWJCFC. Under his leadership, NMMI went 12-1 and won the NJCAA Division I national championship in 2021.

A native of Pago Pago, American Samoa, Taufa'asau began his collegiate playing career at New Mexico Military Institute earning first team All-Western States Football League honors as a defensive lineman in 2009. He then played at the University of Wyoming in 2011 and 2012. After earning his degree in Sociology at Wyoming, Taufa'asau spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts.

Taufa'asau began his coaching career as the defensive line coach at Westlake High School in Saratoga Springs, Utah in 2015. He returned to NMMI in 2016 to fill the same position. In 2019, he was promoted to Assistant Head Coach in addition to his defensive line duties. During that season, the Broncos made the SWJCFC championship game for the first time after just four seasons in the league.

Taufa'asau is married to Shanice and the couple have two sons, King and Zion and a daughter, Larei.


What They Are Saying About Coach Taufa'asau:

"Coach Kurt is a home run hire for New Mexico Highlands.  He has a proven track record of being able to recruit and develop talent at a high level.  During his time at NMMI he elevated that program to a championship level and I have no doubt he'll do the same at Highlands.  Kurt is a tremendous coach but an even better man and I'm excited to watch what he'll do with his opportunity."
             - Andrew Mitchell,  Offensive Line Coach Oklahoma State University 

"Very excited about for the New Mexico Highlands football family and also for Kurt & Shanice. Coach Taufa'asau is a man of character and a proven winner. His success comes from his authentic relationships with his players, along with developing them in a way that qualifies them for championship level competition. I have seen this in his program firsthand and it is clear why his players run through walls for him, and win. The success NMHU football will see, will not be a surprise to me. It is inevitable."
        - Famika Anae, Offensive Line Coach University of California

"Coach Kurt taught me life lessons and I remember him telling us at NMMI, 'If you want it that bad you will go out and get it. Nothing in life comes easy.' Without Coach Kurt I wouldn't be on this journey."
        - Diego Pavia, Former New Mexico State and current Vanderbilt quarterback