Roman Sapolu (suh-POH-loo) enters his first season with the 49ers as the team's assistant offensive line coach. He joins the team after spending the previous two seasons (2024-25) as an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins.
During his tenure with the Dolphins, Sapolu worked with the offensive line. In 2025, the Dolphins offensive line helped the team's offense average 120.2 rushing yards per game, which ranked 13th in the NFL. The unit helped pave the way for RB De'Von Achane to average the most yards per carry (5.7) and register the fifth-most rushing yards (1,350) in the NFL. Achane also registered 56 rushing first downs, which were the 10th-most in the NFL. The Dolphins offensive line also helped QB Tua Tagovailoa register a 67.7% completion percentage, tied for the seventh-highest in the NFL.
The 2024 Dolphins offensive line again blocked for Tagovailoa, leading the way for him to set a Dolphins franchise record and lead the NFL in completion percentage (72.9%). Sapolu also helped the unit provide a path for Achane to become the first Dolphins player to register at least 750 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season (907 rushing yards & 592 receiving yards). The Dolphins offense also finished with top five marks in time of possession (31:43 – fourth) and the fewest three-and-out possessions (26 – tied for fourth).
Sapolu entered the NFL ranks after spending nine seasons (2015-23) coaching at the collegiate level. He served as co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at the University of Hawai'i (2023), offensive line coach at Hawai'i (2022), run game coordinator/offensive line coach at Fresno State University (2020-21), assistant offensive line coach at Fresno State (2019), offensive line coach at Idaho State University (2018) and as a graduate assistant at the University of Nebraska (2015-17).
With Hawai'i in 2023, Sapolu helped direct an offense that ranked third in the Mountain West Conference in passing yards per game (276.4), passing touchdowns (27) and completion percentage (62.8%). His playcalling helped WR Steven McBride earn Second-Team All-Mountain West honors after registering 1,024 receiving yards, ranking fourth in the Mountain West.
In 2022, Sapolu coached a Rainbow Warriors offensive line that allowed the fourth-fewest sacks in the conference (20.0) and allowed the offense to rank fourth in passing yards per game (205.5). He coached two All-Mountain West honorees in OL Ilm Manning (First-Team) and OL Micah Vanterpool (Second-Team). Both Manning and Vanterpool entered the NFL as Manning signed as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers and Vanterpool spent part of training camp with the New England Patriots.
Prior to his time at Hawai'i, Sapolu's Fresno State offense saw the 2021 Bulldogs among the national leaders in multiple categories including passing yards per game (326.7 – ninth) and total yards per game (463.8 – 14th). Sapolu worked closely with OL Alex Akingbulu, who was a FirstTeam All-Mountain West honoree his senior year and went on to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Commanders. He also coached OL Dontae Bull, who went on to be the first overall pick in the 2023 CFL Draft.
In 2020, Sapolu helped the Bulldogs finish fifth in the nation in passing yards per game (356.3). Sapolu's running scheme guided RB Ronnie Rivers to lead the Mountain West in yards from scrimmage per game (163.8) and points scored per game (9.0) with nine touchdowns, helping him earn FirstTeam All-Mountain West honors. He also coached OL Syrus Tuitele, who earned Second-Team All-Mountain West honors. Sapolu's first season at Fresno State in 2019 saw him work with OL Netane Muti, who was selected in the sixthround (181st overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.
Sapolu's first full-time coaching job came at Idaho State, where he served as the team's offensive line coach in 2018. During his lone season at Idaho State, his offensive line paved the way for the Bengals offense to record 5,403 total yards, the third-most since the team's 1981 National Championship season. He coached OL Brian Fineanganofo, who earned First-Team All-Big Sky Conference honors and Second-Team Phil Steele FCS All-American honors.
