Utah Tech University Men's Football

Lance Anderson is in his third season as the head coach of the Utah Tech University football program. Coach Anderson was introduced as the fifth head coach in the program's NCAA era on December 8, 2023. Anderson joined the Trailblazer football program after serving as an offensive senior analyst at Boise State during the 2023 season.   Prior to his brief stint at Boise State, Anderson spent 16 seasons on the football staff at Stanford University from 2007-22, the last nine which with the Cardinal he was the Willie Shaw Director of Defense.  He served as defensive line coach at Stanford under then-head coach, and current Los Angeles Chargers head coach, Jim Harbaugh from 2007-09. Anderson then spent 13 seasons as the outside linebackers coach, and in 2018 was elevated to associate head coach by then-head coach David Shaw (2011-22). He also served as interim head coach following Shaw’s resignation at the end of the 2022.  During his time at Stanford, Anderson was part of one of the most successful eras in the history of Cardinal football, a history that included three PAC-12 championships, five New Year’s Six bowl games, 10 consecutive bowl game appearances overall, and the winningest decade in program history (2010-2019). Anderson’s work on the admissions and recruiting front has been noteworthy. He has received considerable praise for his work as the program’s liaison to the Stanford Admission Office during his tenure, and as Stanford’s Recruiting Coordinator from 2007-2011.    He has played an instrumental role in the Cardinal landing numerous nationally ranked recruiting classes, including the 2012 class ranked 5th in the nation, the 2014 class ranked 9th, the 2016 class ranked 8th, the 2017 class ranked 11th, and the 2022 class which was ranked 11th. He was named 2012 Recruiter of the Year by Scout.com, and was ranked as one of the top recruiters, both in the PAC-12 and nationally, by Rivals.com.   Anderson was the architect of Stanford’s vaunted defense that has ranked among the best defensive units in the PAC-12 and the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.    Throughout his tenure as defensive coordinator, Anderson’s defense ranked inside the top-38 nationally in total defense and scoring defense five consecutive seasons, highlighted by the 2014 campaign which included the No. 2-ranked scoring defense, No. 3-ranked total defense, and was ranked fifth-nationally in sacks per game.    Following the conclusion of the 2014 season, Anderson was a finalist for the Broyles Award, an award given to the best assistant coach in college football.   Anderson consistently produced NFL talent from the defensive side of the ball, including Solomon Thomas (highest drafted defensive player in Stanford program history), Bobby Okereke, Casey Toohill, Harrison Phillips, Justin Reid, Paulson Adebo, Peter Kalambayi, Quenton Meeks, Brennen Scarlett, Jordan Richards, Trent Murphy, Blake Martinez, Thomas Booker, Henry Anderson, David Perry, Josh Mauro, James Vaughters, Michael Thomas, Alex Carter, Curtis Robinson and Alijah Holder.   Prior to his time at Stanford, Anderson coached the defensive line and served as recruiting coordinator under Harbaugh at the University of San Diego from 2005-06. He helped lead the Toreros to a 22-2 overall record, along with two Pioneer League Championships, and a 2006 Division 1-AA Mid-Major national championship.  While at USD, Anderson mentored 2006 co-Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Year, Eric Bakhtiari, who went on to play five seasons in the NFL. Anderson began his coaching career at his alma mater, Idaho State, where he spent two seasons from 1997-98. Then after one season with the Mobile Admirals (1999) of the Regional Football League, he returned to college football with stops Bucknell (1999-2002), Saint Mary’s (2003) and Utah State (2004), before his time at USD.   A native of Rupert, Idaho, Anderson played two seasons as a walk-on linebacker at Idaho State in 1993-94, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology in 1997. He and his wife, Sherri, are the parents of three children – Aubrey, Jaren and Braden.   The Anderson File Coaching Career 2024-current: Utah Tech – Head Football Coach 2023: Boise State – Senior Offensive Analyst 2007-22: Stanford University – 2007-09 – Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator; 2010-13 – Outside Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator; 2014-17 – Willie Shaw Director of Defense/Outside Linebackers; 2018-22 – Associate Head Coach/Willie Shaw Director of Defense/Outside Linebackers; November 2022-December 2022 – Interim Head Coach 2005-06: University of San Diego – Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator 2004: Utah State – Outside Linebackers 2003: Saint Mary’s – Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line 1999-2002: Bucknell – 1999 – Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line; 2000 - Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator; 2001-02 – Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator 1999: Mobile Admirals (Regional Football League) – Running Backs 1997-98: Idaho State – 1997 – Running Backs; 1998 - Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line   Playing Experience 1993-94: Idaho State – Walk-on Linebacker 1989: BYU – Walk-on   Education Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Idaho State 1997   Personal Hometown: Rupert, Idaho Wife: Sherri Children: Aubrey, Jaren and Braden   What his peers say about Coach Anderson: "Lance Anderson is one of the best people I've ever worked with. He is a family man of high character and great values. On top of that, he is a tireless recruiter, an intellectual strategist, a fierce competitor, and a natural leader." – David Shaw, former Stanford University Head Football Coach (2011-22)   “Lance Anderson is an outstanding person, football coach, and friend. Utah Tech has hit a home run with the hiring of Lance. He is one of the top recruiters in the nation and a well-respected defensive strategist. I’m excited to see Lance achieve his goal of becoming a head football coach.” – Ed Lamb, Northern Colorado Head Football Coach (2022-current)  

C.J. Turner is in his second season with the Trailblazers' coaching staff, and begins his first year as wide receivers coach. Turner played wide receiver collegiately for four seasons for current Utah Tech offensive coordinator Greg Stevens at Southeastern Louisiana, where he was a 2021 spring first team all-Southland Conference and all-Louisiana selection after he hauled in 44 receptions for 534 yards and five touchdowns. He finished that season ranked fifth in the FCS subdivision in receptions/game (7.3 rpg), and finished with two 100-yard games, including 110 yards on 11 receptions and two TDs in a road victory at Nicholls State.  During his sophomore season in 2019, Turner led SELO's receiving corps with 78 catches for 963 yards and seven touchdowns. His 78 receptions ranked him second on the program's single season list, while his yards (#3) and TDs (#7) were also good enough to rank him in the program's season top-10 lists.  He closed his collegiate career with 207 receptions for 2,761 yards and 23 touchdowns in 44 games played. Turner then went on to play for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL in 2023.  Coach Turner graduated from Southeastern Louisiana in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in general studies with a criminal justice minor.   

Jayda Lowe begins her first season with the Utah Tech Football program as the Director of Football Operations ahead of the 2026 campaign. She will oversee all operational functions of the program, including travel, recruiting visits, facilities, among other on and off field duties.    Prior to her arrival to St. George, Jayda attended Abilene Christian University, where she worked on the Wildcats’ football equipment staff during her first two years at the institution. She then became the Director of Football Operations intern as a junior and served in that position for two seasons.  A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jayda graduated from ACU in 2026 with her Bachelor's degree in Sports Management. She attended Pine Creek High School, where she served as the Eagles’ football team manager during her four years of attendance.   

Greg Stevens enters his third season as Utah Tech offensive coordinator in 2026.  Coach Stevens joined the Trailblazer program as its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach ahead of the 2024 season after spending the last six seasons in the same capacity at Southeastern Louisiana (2018-23), his second stint with the Lion program (also 2012-13) overall.  In 2022, Stevens led a Lion offense that averaged 35.3 points per game and 439.8 yards per contest, both good for the FCS top 20. Southeastern was also ranked 13th-nationally with 291 first downs on the way to the 2022 Southland Conference championship. Stevens mentored 2020 Walter Payton Trophy winner and 2021 runner-up, and consensus All-American Cole Kelley, who engineered one of the top seasons by a quarterback in FCS history in 2021. The two-time Southland Conference Player of the Year, and Louisiana Offensive Player of the Year, threw for 5,124 yards and 44 touchdowns on 406-for-552 passing (73.6 completion percentage), while rushing for a team-high 491 yards and 16 touchdowns. Kelley also led the FCS in passing yards, total offense, completion percentage and points responsible for, while his 60 total touchdowns (44 passing, 16 rushing) were one off the single-season FCS record set by Willie Totten in 1984. Kelley’s single-season totals for passing yards (2nd), total offense (5,615 yards, 3rd) and passing touchdowns (10th) were all among the best performances in the history of FCS football.   Before his return to SLU, Stevens served as offensive coordinator at Eastern Illinois for four seasons (2014-17). During his first year at EIU, the Panthers ranked among the national leaders in total offense (480.1 ypg, 13th), rushing offense (236.3 ypg, 11th) and scoring offense (31.3 ppg, 38th). His 2014 EIU offense featured a pair of All-Americans and six All-OVC performers.   Prior to his first go-round at SLU, Stevens served as offensive coordinator at Delta State (2010-11), and wide receivers coach for four seasons at Utah State (2005-08). Stevens also had offensive coordinator stints at Stephen F. Austin (2002-04) and Arkansas-Monticello (1999-2001), and spent time on the staffs at Colorado Mesa (1992-94), Eastern Arizona (1995-97) and Snow College (1998).   A 1992 graduate of Eastern Oregon, Stevens was an All-Conference quarterback at Snow College before concluding his career at his alma mater, where he was team MVP as a senior. The Ephraim, Utah native and his wife Amy are the parents of three children, Tyler, Ryan and Hannah.  

Kyan Brumfield is in his second season as special teams coordinator with the Utah Tech football program. Coach Brumfield returns to the Beehive State after serving as a running backs quality control coach at Georgia Tech in 2024. He spent the 2023 season as a defensive graduate assistant at BYU. Brumfield played collegiately at Colgate (2017-19), Texas Tech (2020), Nebraska (2021) and Florida International (2022) and saw action in 36 games as a defensive back. Coach Brumfield earned a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies from Colgate in 2020 and a Master’s in Applied Science from Nebraska in 2021. Brumfield's father, Ricky, currently serves as special teams coordinator at Syracuse University. He and his wife Abigaile currently reside in St. George.   

Jamison Clark is in his sixth season as part of the Utah Tech coaching staff, his third season with Head Coach Lance Anderson, and currently serves as Tight Ends Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. He spent his first two seasons as a defensive assistant working with the defensive line, and his previous three years as running backs coach. Clark came to Utah Tech after a four-year stint as a student assistant at BYU, where he worked with running backs, receivers and tight ends. In his final season on the Cougars' staff in 2020, Coach Clark helped guide them to an 11-1 record and a final No. 11 national ranking. He played a role in developing BYU’s potent offensive attack that finished the season ranked third in the FBS in scoring offense (43.5 ppg), sixth in total offense (522.2 ypg) and eighth in passing offense (332.1 ppg), while ranking in the top-15 overall in 10 different statistical categories.  BYU’s potent scoring offense in 2020 ranked fourth all-time on the program’s single-season scoring average list, behind only the 2001, 1980 and 1983 teams. That team also closed the year ranked sixth in program history in total offense with the most yards per game since 2001. In addition, the 2020 BYU offense co-led the country in yards per play (7.84 ypp), and led all Division I FBS programs in plays of 30-plus yards with 45, and while ranked third-nationally in both plays of 10-plus yards (234) and 20-plus yards (83). Overall, BYU scored 40 or more points nine times in 12 games that season, capped by a 49-23 Boca Raton Bowl victory over UCF while setting both a Bowl game and a BYU bowl record for most yards of total offense with 655. Coach Clark earned his Bachelor’s degree from BYU in 2021. He and his wife, Savannah, are the parents of one son - Wilson. 

Ray Clark returns to the Trailblazer football coaching staff as the program's new defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach ahead of the 2026 season. Clark had served as defensive backs coach in 2024 and in the spring of 2025.  Coach Clark came to Utah Tech after serving as a defensive backs graduate assistant coach at Arizona State in 2023. Clark has also had defensive coaching stops at Stanford (2022 - defensive line quality control), Idaho (2021 - nickels coach; 2019 - defensive graduate assistant coach), San Diego (2020 - nickels coach), and Montana State-Northern (2018 - defensive backs coach).     Clark played four seasons at San Diego from 2014-17, where was a three-year starter at safety and helped lead the Toreros to three FCS playoff appearances, including the school’s first-ever NCAA postseason bid in 2014.    

Jake Hiltscher is in his second season with the Utah Tech football program as a defensive analyst.  Hiltscher moved south to St. George after spending five-plus years at BYU, where he recently served as a student defensive and special teams assistant coach for two seasons from 2023-25. He also was a personnel supporter management intern with the Cougar football program from 2019-23.  A native of Columbus, Ohio, Hiltscher earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in Statistics from BYU in 2024.   

Blaine Monkres is in his second season of his second stint with the Utah Tech football program, and in his first season as wide receivers coach. In 2015, Monkres served as offensive coordinator for the Trailblazer program.   Prior to his return to Utah Tech, Monkres closed out his second go-around as head coach at Dixie High School (2018-24), where he led the Flyers to a pair of Utah 4A state runner-up finishes in both 2018 and 2021.  Monkres nearly 40 years of coaching experience at the high school level, and he is one of four head mentors in Utah prep football history to direct programs at five schools. He has made 26 playoff appearances in 34 years as a head coach, and has coached in six state championship games.    Monkres started his coaching career at Bonneville HS as an assistant under the late Thom Budge. He then secured his first head coaching job at Roy Junior High, where he served as the head coach for football, basketball, and baseball. From there, he moved on to Roy High as an assistant football and baseball coach under Fred Thompson for four years.     He received his first head football coaching position at Morgan HS in 1989, where he won consecutive region titles in 1991-93, and led the Trojans to an undefeated 13-0 record and a state title in 1993. In 1994, Monkres was named the first head football coach at Fremont HS and also served as the school’s athletic director for 10 years. He led Silverwolves to the 1995 state championship game in the second year of the school, losing in double overtime to Skyline.    In 2008, he began his first head coaching stint at Dixie HS, a position he held until 2014. Monkres led the Flyer to a pair of state championships in 2012 and 2014.  Then after his one season with the Trailblazers in 2015, he spent one season as head coach at both Murray HS (2016) and Riverton HS (2017) in the Salt Lake City area, before returning to Dixie HS in 2018.    In all, Monkres has amassed 242 career victories in his 34 seasons as a prep head coach. He is also a two-time Utah Football Coach of the Year honoree and was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame-Utah Chapter in 2019.    Coach Monkres’ philosophy to his players is that if they work hard, buy into what they are trying to do, put their teammates before themselves, and control what they can control (attitude and effort), the wins and individual awards will come.     He is a graduate of both Clearfield HS and Weber State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. Blaine continued his education at Utah State University, where he achieved his Master’s degree. He and his wife, Kim, reside in St. George.  

Kris Sweet begins his first season with the Utah Tech football program as its new offensive line coach.  Coach Sweet brings nearly 30 years of coaching experience to St. George, both at the collegiate and professional levels.    Sweet comes to Utah Tech after a four-year stint as offensive line coach for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he was part of two Grey Cup championship winning teams in 2022 and 2025.   He also won a Grey Cup as offensive line coach with Calgary (2007-11) in 2008, and served as offensive line coach at Saskatchewan (2012), Edmonton (2013) and Montreal (2014).    Coach Sweet began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Tennessee Tech in 1997, which was followed by one-year stints at both Holy Cross (assistant o-line coach) in 1998, and at Elon (defensive end coach) in 1999.   He then spent four seasons at Presbyterian College from 2000-04, where he coached tight ends, fullbacks and offensive line. He also served as offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and was the program’s academic coordinator.   From there he served one season as offensive line coach at both Kentucky State (2005) and Columbia (2006) before embarking on his CFL career.   Following his time at Montreal, Coach Sweet returned to college football, with his first stop being at Norfolk State, where he was offensive coordinator in 2018. He moved on to be the offensive line coach at Howard University in 2021, before heading back north of the border to Toronto.   A native of Salem, Va., Coach Sweet was a year-year starter at center at Carson-Newman College, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1996, and his Master’s degree in Education in 1998.    Coach Sweet and his wife Kate are the parents of two daughters, Alexandra and Megan.   

Vae Tata enters his second season with the Utah Tech Trailblazer football program as the outside linebackers coach, bringing with him more than a decade of coaching experience at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. He led Kahuku High School—one of Hawaii’s premier football programs—to an undefeated state championship in 2015, finishing with a 24–2 record over two seasons. Tata’s college coaching career began at UCLA, where he served as a Special Teams Intern from 2008 to 2009. He then became a Graduate Assistant at San Jose State (2010–2011) under Coach Mike MacIntyre, followed by two seasons at Stanford as a defensive assistant during back-to-back Pac-12 Championship runs (2012–2013), working alongside current Utah Tech Head Coach Lance Anderson. He later held roles as Defensive Coordinator at Santa Monica College and Defensive Line Coach at Cerritos College. He also participated in the prestigious Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship program with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2011) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018), gaining valuable experience at the professional level. A Hawai'i native, Tata played for Coach Cal Lee at St. Louis High School before earning a scholarship to UCLA, where he played defensive end from 1994 to 1998 under head coaches Terry Donahue and Bob Toledo. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UCLA. He and his wife, Joslyn, are the proud parents of their son, Koa.