Francisco Mauigoa, Hurricanes’ ‘calm in the storm,’ ready for final impact season with Miami

Listen to Miami Hurricanes linebacker Francisco “Kiko” Mauigoa talk, and you will get a glimpse into how he operates. His voice remains low and steady, but it’s powerful enough to command a room. He’s humble. He’s team-first. Everything spoken has a purpose.

“He’ll be calm in the storm,” Hurricanes defensive coordinator Lance Guidry said.

Now watch how Francisco Mauigoa plays, and you will understand how he got to where he is now entering his final season of college football. He doesn’t take a play off. He’s organized. He’s intense. He’s fiery. He plays loud but structured, his actions becoming his voice.

“He’s somebody that comes in day in and day out and works,” sophomore defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. said. “He’s always pulling people up to the standard and holding people accountable, but then at the end of the day, he still has no problem being held accountable. He’s somebody that’s gonna come to work, no matter what the conditions are.”

In many ways, Mauigoa is the quintessential player to be in the middle of the Hurricanes’ defense. Mauigoa, a senior, is back for one final season, one final chance to leave his mark on the college football world.

When he announced his intention to return, his message was clear: “LET’S RUN THIS BACK one more time and up we continue to go!” he wrote on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account. The Hurricanes went just 7-6 in his first season with them, but Mauigoa, like so many other players on the roster, senses a potential breakout for Miami this season. UM is ranked No. 19 in the country and could make a big statement in its season opener against the Florida Gators on Saturday in Gainesville.

When Mauigoa reflected on the decision and looked ahead to what’s in store, he beamed with pride.

“I think I really made the right choice to come back,” Mauigoa said. “This team has a really good chance, too. We’ve got tremendous individual players that have the will to get better every day and are working on their craft to be the best players they can be.”

Building on 2023

That includes Mauigoa, who had a breakout 2023 season with the Hurricanes after spending his first two years of college football at Washington State.

He led the Atlantic Coast Conference and tied for ninth nationally with 18 tackles for loss while also having 82 total tackles, seven-and-a-half sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.

As a result, he has been named to the preseason All-ACC team and to watch lists for the Butkus Award (top linebacker), Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy (two different defensive player of the year awards).

Mauigoa said the coaching staff, specifically linebackers coach Derek Nicholson, have “been tremendous in putting me in the right spot, providing challenges and obstacles that I could face to go through adversity and learn from mistakes.”

The biggest areas Mauigoa said he had to improve entering this season: getting his footwork right and pass coverage.

“That’s what I emphasized throughout my offseason,” Mauigoa said, “just being able to get my eyes right, read the routes and have a sense of knowing route concepts before the play happens.”

Added Guidry: “He’ll play extremely fast. He’s played a lot of football. Communicates well. Knows the defense backward and forward. He’s definitely a good one to have in the defense with experience and being the playmaker that he is.”

A family affair

There’s also a personal side to Mauigoa’s final run with the Hurricanes.

He’s relishing the chance for one more season playing with his younger brother, sophomore offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.

The younger Mauigoa had a solid first season with Miami, being named a freshman All-American and an honorable mention All-ACC team member.

Mauigoa called it “heartwarming” to see his younger brother make the strides he has made so far and to have the chance to see how he builds on it as a sophomore.

“I have a lot of passion in that. I’ve been with him my whole life and being able to be with him at this level of the game of football is just a blessing for me. He’s been critiquing me, helping me out with some of the things, too. I’d be helping him with some of the things too. Just encouraging each other just to get get better. That’s why I’m thankful that he’s around me because he sees the things that I don’t see me. I love that he he holds me accountable. for it.”

Their bond, he said, is “very important, and I don’t think it’ll ever fade away.”

“We’ve been through a lot,” Mauigoa said. “Him being by my side, it’s just been a blessing. He’s always real with me and he’s always looking in a way just to challenge me to get better.”

The feeling is mutual.

“I try to enjoy as much with him out there on the field,” Francis Mauigoa said during fall camp. “I really appreciate what he does for me. He helped me settle into this place and is playing a big role as a big brother, not only on the field, but off the field.”