Photo: University of Hawai’i Athletics

New University of Hawai’i football Defensive Coordinator Victor Santa Cruz joined the Bobby Curran Show Wednesday to share his excitement about being back in Hawai’i.

“I’m happy to be back. It’s a huge blessing and excitement in the Santa Cruz family…To get the call from coach Graham, a tremendous coach who I respect, I was all on board. I’m ready and I’m happy to serve.”

Head coach Todd Graham announced the former UH linebacker as the new defensive coordinator on Monday.

Per the University of Hawai’i, Santa Cruz has been a fixture at Azusa Pacific, where he spent 19 years, including the last 14 as head coach and is the school’s winningest coach with an overall record of 84-69. Since 2013, he led APU to four Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships and two NCAA Division II playoff appearances.