Pat Samsonas knows football. He also knows a thing or two about change—and tradition. As a student at ‘Iolani, he lived through the school’s transition from all-boys to co-ed in seventh grade. He watched Coach Eddie Hamada, whom he respectfully called “Mr. Hamada,” bring school legends to life in P.E. class. Players like Junior Tufono, Frank Lutu, Roland Ruff, Dirk Apao, Shaun Ushijima, and Scotty LaBoy would visit in their jerseys, chatting with wide-eyed elementary kids.

“We dreamt of playing in Aloha Stadium. We’re watching their games. To finally play in the stadium was insane,” Samsonas recalled.

That dream became reality when he suited up for the Raiders as a sophomore in 1990 under Glenn Young, then spent two more seasons under Wendell Look. Fast forward more than three decades, and the circle is now complete. Last month, Look stepped down after 35 years as head coach. On Thursday, ‘Iolani named Samsonas, 51, as his successor.

The journey home wasn’t planned. After years as a head coach at Kaiser (2005–2009) and assistant roles at ‘Iolani, Kaiser, and with the Hawaii Kai Dolphins Pop Warner program, Samsonas had settled into life as a spectator. His youngest son, Zeke, plays club football as a seventh grader, while middle child Zion is a junior center at Mililani.

“I didn’t really think about it,” Samsonas said of the opening. “I did get asked by a couple of friends who are alumni. Up to that point, I didn’t really have interest.”

But momentum built fast. When some Raiders alums gathered to watch the NCAA men’s basketball championship on April 6, the conversation turned to the coaching vacancy. “From that point on, my phone has been going off,” Samsonas said. “When I went in to talk with Coach Look and the athletic directors, there was overwhelming support from alumni.”

Now, Samsonas is tasked with preserving the tradition he grew up in—a tradition that shaped him from a “hard-headed young kid” into a believer in the “One Team” way of life. “Schools tend to be more corporate now, and I’m trying to keep the tradition alive,” he said.

He’s already building his staff, with Richard Torres as defensive coordinator, Clint Onigama as offensive coordinator, and Sean “Ulu” Scanlan as offensive line coach. After years coaching in the OIA, Samsonas knows the level of support at ‘Iolani will make a difference. “Dominic A,” he said, referencing the school’s deep alumni network, “and so many others have stepped up.”

For Samsonas, this isn’t just a new job—it’s a homecoming. And for Raider Nation, it’s the start of a new chapter, written by someone who’s been part of the story all along.