Naeole attended the University of Colorado-Boulder, where he was a three-year starter for the Colorado Buffaloes football team at right guard.

On July 17, 1997, Naeole signed a five-year, $8 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, and soon afterwards bought a 4,000-square-foot house in Metairie, Louisiana.

[5] On November 1, 2015, Naeole was named Hawaii's interim head coach following the firing of Norm Chow and finished the season with a 1–3 record.

[7] On October 6, 2017, Naeole resigned, due to what he called "philosophical differences with the handling of disciplinary matters in the program.

"[8] As of 2024, Naeole is listed as an international scout for the Philadelphia Eagles on the team's front office roster page.

[9] Naeole was tasked with teaching football to undrafted free agent signing Laekin Vakalahi of New Zealand, who was learning to play on the offensive line after only being experienced in junior rugby.