Fab 50: Noga Brothers

As part of the Advertiser's Fab 50 series, Wes Nakama profiles the Noga brothers.

In the midst of UH football's coming-of-age era between 1980 and 1987, Falaniko, Pete and Al Noga epitomized a tough, strong, undersized, but overachieving defense that stalled some of the nation's top offenses and thrilled near-capacity crowds of 45,000-plus at Aloha Stadium.

"They were a tremendous family who made such a difference in our program," said Dick Tomey, the current San Jose State coach, who was UH's head coach from 1977 through 1986. "All three Noga brothers were great people — hard-working players who competed with high energy."

Bob Wagner, who was Tomey's defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach in 1987, said the Nogas fit perfectly into the Rainbows' scheme.

"We approached defense aggressively; people talk about weapons on offense, but we talked about having weapons on defense," Wagner said. "And all three Noga brothers were definitely in that category. They all were difference-makers."