Bob Wagner, head coach of the University of Hawaii football team from 1987 to 1995, died on Hawaii island Tuesday at the age of 76, his family announced Wednesday. UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ATHLETICS photo
The family of former University of Hawaii head football coach Bob “Wags” Wagner announced that he passed away on Tuesday on Hawaii island — the announcement was posted on the school’s athletics website on Wednesday. He was 76.
“We are heartbroken to share that former University of Hawai’i Head Football Coach Bob ‘Wags’ Wagner has passed away after battling recent health challenges. Our loving husband and father touched many lives throughout Hawai’i and will be dearly missed by all who knew him,” the family statement started.
Wagner was 58-49-3 as head coach of the Rainbow Warriors from 1987-95. He was a two-time conference coach of the year and led the Rainbow Warriors to their first bowl game in 1989 and their first Western Athletic Conference title in 1992.
Wagner is the only Hawaii head football coach to beat rival BYU on multiple occasions — in 1989, 1990 and 1992.
Bob Wagner was 58-49-3 as head coach of the Rainbow Warriors from 1987-95. He was a two-time conference coach of the year and led the Rainbow Warriors to their first bowl game in 1989 and their first Western Athletic Conference title in 1992. UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ATHLETICS photo
Wagner introduced the spread offense or “Triple Option” to Hawaii. During his tenure, the offense, which featured two slotbacks and one fullback, frequently placed UH among the top rushing teams in the country.
In the 1988 season opener, ninth-ranked Iowa came to Aloha Stadium, and the Rainbow Warriors beat the Hawkeyes 27-24 behind running back Heikoti Fakava’s three touchdowns. It was also a coming-out party for freshman kicker Jason Elam, who booted two critical field goals in the fourth quarter.
After just two seasons, Wagner was named WAC Coach of the Year and led the Rainbow Warriors to their first major bowl game — the Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl in 1990. UH fell to Michigan State 33-13 in that game, but following the season, Wagner became the first UH coach to head an all-star team in the Hula Bowl.
In 1992, behind quarterback Michael Carter, Hawaii won a share of the WAC championship and posted its first bowl game victory, a 27-17 win over Illinois in the Thrifty Car Rental Holiday Bowl. UH finished the season ranked No. 20 and months later, Elam, a three-time All-American kicker, was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round.
Over the last 10 years, Wagner enjoyed retirement from his service at Kamehameha Schools Hawaii, where he served as the school’s first athletics director at the end of his career.
In this undated photo from the Wagner family, UH coach Bob Wagner (right) speaks with BYU coach LaVell Edwards. Wagner was the only Hawaii football coach to beat rival BYU on multiple occasions — in 1989, 1990 and 1992. Photo courtesy of Wagner family via University of Hawaii Athletics
The family statement continued: “Coach Wags and his wife, Gloria, loved traveling the world together, and they visited 67 countries throughout their marriage. They also frequently visited their daughter, Christy. As a husband and father, he always took time to celebrate the small, special moments in life that became our family traditions.
“Admiring beautiful sunsets, listening to the surf, and enjoying our family’s favorite desserts together were just a few of them. He loved Hawai’i and its people and knew he was loved and admired by family and friends before his passing. He shared in recent days that as a young boy growing up at Newark, Ohio, he never imagined a wonderful life like this.”
The Wagner family requests privacy “as we navigate our grief during this challenging time,” the statement concluded.
In this undated photo from the Wagner family, UH coach Bob Wagner (right) speaks with BYU coach LaVell Edwards. Wagner was the only Hawaii football coach to beat rival BYU on multiple occasions — in 1989, 1990 and 1992. Photo courtesy of Wagner family via University of Hawaii Athletics 
Bob Wagner was 58-49-3 as head coach of the Rainbow Warriors from 1987-95. He was a two-time conference coach of the year and led the Rainbow Warriors to their first bowl game in 1989 and their first Western Athletic Conference title in 1992. UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ATHLETICS photo 
Bob Wagner, head coach of the University of Hawaii football team from 1987 to 1995, died on Hawaii island Tuesday at the age of 76, his family announced Wednesday. UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ATHLETICS photoToday's breaking news and more in your inbox
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