Coach Seni “The Tongan Cowboy” Fauonuku to Lead the Defense

Herriman, Utah. The Utah Islanders are excited to introduce Viliseni Fauonuku, better known as “The Tongan Cowboy,” as Defensive Line Coach and Co-Coordinator. It's more than a title or instagram handle, The Tongan Cowboy is a way of life, a mix of ranch-forged grit, football pride, and steady toughness that now anchors the Islanders’ defense.

Fauonuku brings the same authenticity he lives by on the farm into the locker room. Teaching athletes to fight through the storm, his voice carries weight because it comes from experience. His Instagram persona, The Tongan Cowboy, shows the same side his players see every day: a man who isn’t afraid of hard work and shows up every day ready to lead by example.

"I'm a mentor to these kids," Coach Seni boasts. It's important to him to teach and mold athletes into men, while strengthening their knowledge and defensive skills on the field. We are grateful to have his commitment to the program and competition, joining just a few months before first kick off. He has been quickly loved and embodied by the program.