The lucrative offer was on the table.

Rich Miano did not consider it.

"I made that clear from day one," said Miano, who opted not to join the Southern Methodist football coaching staff. "I'm living in Hawai'i regardless."

His decision was reinforced when Greg McMackin was named Hawai'i head coach last week as the successor to June Jones, who accepted the head coaching job at SMU.

McMackin retained four assistants from last year's staff, including Miano.

With approval pending, Miano is in line to become the Warriors' associate head coach.

It would be a natural ascension for Miano, who joined UH as a walk-on in 1980 and developed into an All-Western Athletic Conference safety and 11-year National Football League veteran. He has served as the Warriors' defensive secondary coach the past nine seasons.

"I firmly believe in the University of Hawai'i," Miano said. "I'm an alumnus."

He said his background makes it easier to speak to UH prospects.

"When I talk to a recruit, he knows I'm not a hypocrite," Miano said. "I played for the school, and I'm proud of that. I've graduated from the school. I'm proud of that. I think the world of the state of Hawai'i. I have a hard time faking something. If I don't truly believe in it, I can't sell it. I believe in this, and it's easy to sell."

With the expected new title, Miano will retain his roles of coaching the defensive backs, coordinating the walk-on program, and serving as the pro-football liaison.

"There are 24 hours in a day," he said. "It's a matter of making sure you structure your time and get things done that need to get done. Right now, my main focus is on recruiting."

Miano left last night to recruit on the Mainland. The Warriors are seeking receivers, offensive linemen and a quarterback.

"We understand the importance of recruiting," Miano said." We want to build a foundation so we can continue June's dream of a continual top-25 program, which is going to take a lot of work and a lot of resources. We need everybody from the fans buying tickets to legislative and community support. All of those types of things."

ALL IN THE FAMILY

The latest UH commitment means the continuance of a family tradition.

"There's going to be another Tuiasosopo in Anuenue Dorm," Ana Tuiasosopo Sr. said of his son's decision to accept a football scholarship from the Warriors.

Tuiatua Tuiasosopo, an offensive guard from Saint Louis School, yesterday confirmed a verbal commitment he made to UH coaches Sunday afternoon.

He received offers from Oregon State and California, but "after visiting UH, it made me want to stay home. It was a tough decision to make, but it was the right decision."

Tuiasosopo is projected to compete at guard. He can bench press 405 pounds. At last year's U.S. All-Army Combine in San Antonio, he benched 185 pounds 35 times.

Tuiasosopo has a 4.2 cumulative grade-point average. He scored 1,640 on the new expanded SAT.

"What made me pick Hawai'i was the opportunity to play in front of my family," he said. "My dad played for UH."

Ana Tuiasosopo Sr. was a UH nose guard from 1981 to 1985.

Tuiatua Tuiasosopo said he was impressed with head coach Greg McMackin.

"Coach Mack is a really good coach," he said. "I see UH keeping up its winning ways. I met all of the players. I asked them why they chose UH. They told me: 'When you play for UH, you play for the whole state. When you play for Oregon State, you're only playing for Corvallis. The whole state backs up UH. When we're up, they're up. When we're down, they support us.' "

Tuiasosopo said he aspires to be a lawyer or veterinarian.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.