West Liberty head football coach Roger Waialae, pictured, is set to retire after this season following a 21-year tenure.

WEST LIBERTY – West Liberty University Director of Athletics Brad Forshey announced Monday that longtime Head Football Coach Roger Waialae will retire at the conclusion of the 2025 football season, bringing an extraordinary 21-year tenure as the leader of the Hilltoppers to a close.

“Coach Waialae has been a pillar of West Liberty athletics for more than two decades,” said Forshey. “His impact on our football program and our university goes far beyond the win-loss record. Roger has built a legacy that will echo across this campus for generations. We thank him for all his efforts and wish him nothing but the best as he enters his retirement.”

Waialae, who earned his 100th career victory this season, ranks second all-time in school history behind only Hall of Famer Joe Bartell.

A fixture on the Hilltop since joining the West Liberty staff in 1992, Waialae took over the head coaching role in 2005 and guided the Hilltoppers through some of the program’s most successful seasons.

Under his leadership, West Liberty reached unprecedented heights, including a school-record 11-win campaign in 2009, a berth in the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals, and back-to-back national statistical championships in scoring and total offense in 2009 and 2010.

His commitment to excellence extended off the field as well. Waialae was instrumental in building strong relationships with alumni and supporters, spearheading fundraising efforts that significantly enhanced the football program and athletic facilities. His tireless efforts helped grow the program’s resources and visibility, ensuring a brighter future for Hilltopper football.

Over the course of his career, Waialae has coached 19 NCAA Division II All-Americans, 63 first-team All-Conference selections, and mentored standouts such as Ben Staggs, winner of the 2009 Gene Upshaw Award, and Zach Amedro, a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up who rewrote the NCAA Division II passing record books.

A native of Hawaii, Waialae is one of just a handful of Pacific Islanders to serve as a head football coach at the NCAA level and remains the only one currently at the Division II level. His journey from a small-college All-America quarterback at the University of Dubuque to an experienced coach and respected leader at West Liberty is a testament to his dedication and love for the game.

Reflecting on his time at West Liberty, Waialae expressed deep gratitude for the people and community who supported him throughout his career.”I’ve been blessed to work at a place where we’ve been able to make real progress — from upgrading facilities to growing our programs across campus,” Waialae said. “We’ve accomplished so much here together, not just in football but with the track and soccer fields as well, much of it made possible through private support. I want to sincerely thank our donors — people like Gary and Flip West, Randy and Betty Worls, Joanne and ‘Bucky’ Kopf, Tommy and Cheryl Mendenhall, and Carl Bippus — for their generosity and belief in what we’ve built.”

“Most of all, I need to thank my family — Karen, Ryan, Laura, and Kayla — for everything I missed along the way because I was here doing this. I’ve been fortunate to work for great presidents, athletic directors, and especially Jim Watson for giving me a chance all those years ago. I’m grateful to this administration, too, for letting me do things my way and allowing me to share this news on my own terms. West Liberty has been my home for more than 30 years, and I’ll always be thankful for that.”