Kahuku High School has announced the hiring of Lee Leslie, of Kuna High in Idaho, as its new football coach in a written statement Friday. 

"Lee Leslie, head coach at Idaho’s Kuna High, has been named head coach at Kahuku High and Intermediate, effective later this month. During his 20-plus-year career as a professional coach and teacher at the high school and professional levels, Lee led his teams to 17 championships."

Leslie has previously served as a graduate assistant at the University of Utah and in the Arena Football League. He also won two state championships for Bishop Kelly High School in Idaho.

"I consider Kahuku to be one of the top opportunities in the country,” Leslie said in the statement. "They’ve always had amazing athletes."

Kahuku principal Pauline Masaniai asked the coaches of all fall sports' teams to reapply last month. Among the applicants was outgoing coach Reggie Torres, who had a record of 71-20 in eight seasons, including three state championships. When reached by phone Thursday, Torres said neither Masaniai nor athletic director Gillian Yamagata had notified him of their decision.

"They haven't talked to me since my interview on Thursday, but it's what we've been hearing," said Torres, who is also an assistant on the Red Raiders' wrestling and judo teams.  "It's out of my control. Like any coach, we ask to get to go out on our own terms, but that's not going to happen and it is what is it. I'm just appreciative of the time that previous principal and administration gave me and I want to say thanks to my players, coaches and family. There's no sense in being sour grapes. I wish the best for the kids and I'll be in the stands cheering them on — they should have a good team coming up. That's all i can do."

Yamagata said last month that the re-application process was part of Masaniai's review of the athletic department.

"With many qualified candidates, it was a very difficult decision," Masaniai said in the statement. "Coach Leslie has been very successful in all the programs he’s developed, he’s a motivational speaker, big-hearted and has integrity."

She added: "Kahuku High is creating the whole package – academic, extracurricular, cultural, arts – so parents don’t have to look beyond their own community. Coach Lee represents the connection for all of our students and the bridge for those who choose to pursue college and football opportunities in the mainland."