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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, April 24, 2010

Saint Louis withdraws football coaching offer to Papalii


Advertiser Staff

Saint Louis School's offer to hire Sam Papalii as its new football coach has been withdrawn, Papalii and Crusaders athletic director Ed Paola confirmed today.

Papalii, a longtime college assistant and Kealakehe's head coach from 2001 through 2005, was offered the job by Paola yesterday morning and Papalii accepted. But by late yesterday afternoon, the offer was withdrawn.

"After further consideration, we talked some more and decided it would be better to go in a different direction," Paola said today.

Papalii said new information was provided to Saint Louis administrators yesterday afternoon about his tenure at Kealakehe, including a 2004 incident in which he walked onto the field during a game against Hilo to address officials about numerous personal fouls by Hilo players.

"To be honest, I had forgotten about it and failed to mention it in the (Saint Louis) interview," Papalii said. "I wasn't suspended for it; it was an emotional moment because I thought (the Vikings) were taking cracks at my team, including my son. Everybody makes mistakes."

Paola said he would not discuss any other candidates at this time.