Early years

Naeole was born in Kailua, Hawaii. He attended Kahuku High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, and earned two letters in football and one in wrestling. In football, he was a high school All-America first-team selection by Prep Football Report, and received second-team accolades from Blue Chip Report and an honorable mention from USA Today as a senior. As a two-way tackle, he made 56 tackles, five sacks, eight passes deflected, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries as a senior.

College career

Naeole attended the University of Colorado-Boulder, where he was a three-year starter for the Colorado Buffaloes football team at right guard. In three seasons, he allowed only one sack. As a senior in 1996, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American and was an All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection. Naeole was the recipient of the John Mack Award, given to team's Most Outstanding Offensive Player. He graduated from the university with a degree in sociology and a 3.0 grade point average.

Professional career

1997 NFL Draft

Naeole was drafted tenth overall in the 1997 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He was highest selected guard since Eric Moore in 1988, and the first Colorado offensive lineman selected in the first round since Stan Brock in 1980.

New Orleans Saints

On July 17, 1997, Naeole signed a five-year, $8 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, and soon afterwards bought a 4,000-square-foot house in Metairie, Louisiana.

He played for the team through 2001. He was a starter throughout.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Naeole was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in 2002. In Week 8 of the 2007 season he suffered a torn quadriceps tendon and was placed on injured reserve. Until this injury, Naeole had missed only one game in his 11 years as a pro, and had started 150 of 154 games in his pro career.

On March 3, 2008, he was released by the Jaguars. He was re-signed on September 17 but did not play again.

Naeole has indicated that he has retired from professional football.

Coaching career

Naeole was hired as an assistant football coach for ʻIolani School in Honolulu. He began his duties in the 2010 season. After three years with 'Iolani, Naeole was named the offensive line coach for the Hawaii Warriors. On November 1, 2015, Naeole was named Hawaii's interim head coach following the firing of Norm Chow and finished the season with a 1-3 record.

Naeole was retained as offensive line coach by new Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]