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Navy's Nua, a native of American Samoa, is an assistant coach on the rise

Shaun Nua can be gruff, tough and demanding out on the practice field. At 6-foot-5 and almost 300 pounds, Navy’s defensive line coach can be downright intimidating.

During the most recent episode of Showtime’s “A Season With,” there was a scene in which Nua – hunched over, hands on knees, hat backwards – was barking instructions at his troops.

“When you see a giant Samoan standing in front of you and know that he played in the league, there is an immediate respect,” former Navy defensive end Amos Mason said. “Coach Nua pushed me hard to reach my full potential.