After 27 years at Saint Louis School, former football and basketball coach Delbert Tengan is taking "a leap of faith" to become 'Iolani's new football defensive coordinator.

Tengan, 49, said he will leave his full-time job at Saint Louis — where he has served as athletic trainer, teacher and varsity head coach for basketball and football — in July when his contract ends.

Tengan, who is preparing to apply for a position in the state's Department of Education, said soon after earning his master's degree in physical education from the University of Hawai'i last December, he received a call from 'Iolani football coach Wendell Look.

"He asked if I'd be interested in coaching again, and I said, 'Yeah,' " said Tengan, who stepped down as Saint Louis football and basketball coach in June 2008. "It's something I love doing, and I'm grateful for the opportunity."

Tengan said his teaching contract at Saint Louis will not be renewed as a result of his decision.

"I'm taking a leap of faith," he said.

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com