Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press
Not very many New Mexico Military Institute student-athletes can get the opportunity to play at the NCAA Division I and professional levels.
Kurt Taufa'asau got his chances.
As a cadet in 2009 he helped lead NMMI to a 7-4 record and a berth in the Central Bank Salt City Bowl. Under former head coach Jeff Lynn, the Broncos were nationally ranked in the NJCAA poll at No. 20.
Taufa'asau garnered first team All Western State Football League honors as a defensive lineman after tallying 40 tackles, seven tackles for loss and forcing three fumbles during his sophomore season.
After playing for the Broncos, Taufa'asau made the jump to Division I by attending the University of Wyoming.
He made an impact in 2011 after redshirting the season before. Appearing in 12 games, Taufa'asau recorded four tackles and a sack during a 30-27 win over San Diego State on Oct. 29.
In 2013, Taufa'asau signed with the Oakland Raiders where he spent time on the practice squad. He later went to the Tennessee Titans in the same year before finishing with the Indianapolis Colts in 2014.
Even though he played on the practice squads, Taufa'asau learned a lot from his experience and he plans on passing down his knowledge to current players.
"It's a cutthroat business. People take it seriously because that's how they feed their families," said Taufa'asau about the NFL. "I just took the stuff that I learned from there.
"I love the game of football. I want to stay around it as long as I can. I want to help the kids out."
In 2016, Taufa'asau returned to NMMI to become the defensive line/assistant head coach.
The Broncos started the season 4-0 to finish the year 5-4. After a pair of back-to-back three-win seasons, things turned up a notch for NMMI in 2019.
NMMI went 6-5 after making an appearance in the programs first-ever Southwest Junior College Football Conference championship. The Broncos got the opportunity after upsetting third-ranked Kilgore College in the semifinals.
"Not a lot of people could say that I went to school here, played here, and made it out of here and I got farther in the football ranks," he said. "It means a lot. I can relate to some of the kids that come here.
"NMMI might be their last chance or the only school that believed in them. It's all about you staying faithful to your grind. Once you get that opportunity, take it and run with it. Don't waste it."
A native of Pago Pago, American Samoa, Taufa'asau isn't the only islander at NMMI.
Last season's Bronco football roster had five Pacific islanders on it.
It's not just football either, there's a small community of cadets within the corps.
"We have a lot of Polynesian kids from the islands. I feel like it's been huge for the kids that are looking to come here. Hopefully we'll continue to build that pipeline from the islands to here," Taufa'asau said.
Coming into NMMI as a novice coach, Taufa'asau has cultivated into an experienced mentor for young cadets.
He has learned a lot about the coaching aspect of football from current head coach Joe Forchtner.
"I felt like I've grown and learned a lot about the game of football," said Taufa'asau. "I've learned a lot from all the coaches that came through here, especially coach 'Fort.' He's been a huge mentor for me as far as learning.
"We've made some strides. Like I told my guys after last year, I feel like we have some unfinished business for this upcoming season."