University of Wyoming Men's Football

Twitter: @JaySawvel Jay Sawvel was introduced by University of Wyoming Athletics Director Tom Burman as the new head coach of the Wyoming Cowboys on Dec. 6, 2023. He officially replaced Craig Bohl following Wyoming's bowl victory against Toledo in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl on Dec. 30. He is entering his third season as the head coach of the Brown and Gold. "Jay has done a masterful job in his time at Wyoming building strong relationships with players and staff," Burman said. "His defense embodies Wyoming's culture in that we play physical, disciplined and with passion." Sawvel is the 33rd coach in Wyoming history and  served as the team's defensive coordinator and safeties coach since February of 2020.  Over his career, he has been part of 21 teams who advanced to postseason play, including 14 bowl appearances and seven NCAA Playoff appearances.   "His vision on the future of Cowboy Football energized me and I feel he will help us reach a Mountain West Championship in the near future," Burman said.   Sawvel has learned from some of the top minds in college football history. Some of the names include Craig Bohl, Lou Holtz, Roy Kidd and Jerry Kill. Of the seven head coaches that Sawvel has worked for, the group owns over 1,200 wins. In 2025, The Cowboys defense was once again one of the top units in the nation ranking No. 30 in the nation allowing only 20.5 points per game. The Cowboys also featured one the nation’s top red-zone defenses ranking second in the nation. Wyoming allowed only 175.5 passing yards per game, which ranked No. 13 in the nation. The Cowboys also blocked four kicks on the season, a number that ranked fifth in the nation.   Wyoming recorded two shutouts during the season doing so against Akron in the season opener and Colorado State. It marked the first time since 1966 that the Cowboys recorded two shutouts in a season.   Sawvel mentored seven Cowboys to All-Mountain West honors in 2025. Wyoming had two Second Team selections in offensive guard Caden Barnett and linebacker Brayden Johnson. Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg eared an invite to the NFL Combine and also played in the Senior Bowl. The Pokes were solid once again in the classroom with seven players being named CSC Academic All-District. Six Cowboys were also named to the Hampshire Honor Society by the National Football Foundation. Sawvel had 36 players earn Academic All-MW honors In 2024, Sawvel and Cowboys led the nation in third-down defense holding opponents to 25.9 percent on third down. Wyoming struggled with injuries during the season, but closed out strong defeating Washington State on the road in the final minute, as the Cougars had ranked in the national polls during the season. The Pokes also nearly knocked of Boise State, A College Football Playof participant holding the Broncos well below their season averages offensively. In total, the Cowboys played a pair of teams in the first ever College Football Playoff also facing Arizona State.  He earned his first career win in a home victory against Air Force on Sept. 28, 2024.  He is the first Cowboy coach since Paul Roach to earn their first win against Air Force. Sawvel took over for Craig Bohl, as Bohl also earned his first Mountain West win against the Air Force Academy in 2014. Nine Cowboys earned All-Mountain West honors in Sawvel's first season as head coach with four players on defense, three on offense and two special teamers garnering honors for the Cowboys. Wyoming also excelled in the classroom with 25 players earning Academic All-Mountain West honors.    In 2023, the Pokes would win nine games, as it was Wyoming's first nine-win season since 1996 when UW posted a 10-2 season.  The Cowboy defense ranked No. 26 in the nation in turnovers gained, which ranked third in the MW. The Cowboys rank seventh in the nation with 11 fumble recoveries. The Wyoming defense ranks No. 24 in the nation in fewest yards allowed per pass attempts. Sawvel's 2023 defense ranks No. 2 in the Mountain West Conference in scoring defense (allowing only 22.3 points per game) and ranks No. 3 in the MW in total defense (allowing opponents only 357.8 yards per game).  Linebacker Easton Gibbs, a first-team All-MW selection finished the 2023 regular season averaging 8.8 tackles per game to rank No. 4 in the Mountain West and No. 29 in the nation.  Gibbs recorded over 360 tackles as a Cowboy to rank in the top-10 in school history. He signed as a priority free agent with Seattle Seahawks in April.  Defensive tackle Jordan Bertagnole, was a second-team All-MW selection ranking No. 3 among all Mountain West defensive linemen in tackles this season, averaging 4.3 tackles per game. Safety Wyett Ekeler ranked third on the Cowboy team in tackles this season with 77 and ranked No. 9 among MW defensive backs in tackles, averaging 5.9 per game.  Ekeler was twice named MW Defensive Player of the Week in 2023 and was an honorable mention All-MW selection.   Sawvel's 2022 defense ranked No. 2 in the Mountain West and No. 21 in the nation in sacks, averaging 2.85 per game.  His defense also ranked No. 2 in the MW and No. 33 in the FBS in defensive touchdowns scored, with two.  Sawvel's defense featured three All-MW honorees as selected by coaches and media.  Those three were: Easton Gibbs (LB), who earned First Team All-MW; and defensive end DeVonne Harris and cornerback Cam Stone, who both earned Honorable Mention honors.  Phil Steele's All-MW team included: Gibbs and Stone on his First Team; defensive tackle Jordan Bertagnole on his Second Team; and Harris on Steele's Fourth Team.  Freshman defensive end Braden Siders was also named an Honorable Mention Freshman All-American by College Football News. The Wyoming Cowboys entered the 2022 college football season as the fourth youngest team in the country.  But given that, the Cowboys went on to record a 7-6 record, finish second in the Mountain West Conference Mountain Division and earn a spot in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl.  Along the way the '22 Pokes defeated rivals Air Force, Colorado State, Hawai'i, Utah State and American Athletic Conference member Tulsa.  Wyoming's 7-6 record gave them their fifth winning season in the past seven seasons.    The Cowboy defense in 2021 was one of the top pass defenses in the nation.  Wyoming allowed opponents only 189.8 passing yards per game to rank No. 1 in the Mountain West and No. 12 in the nation.  The Cowboy defense was also No. 13 in the nation in defensive touchdowns scored, with three.  Wyoming held opponents to 23.7 points per game in the 2021 season to rank No. 5 in the MW and No. 43 in the country out of 130 FBS programs.  The Cowboys posted a 7-6 record and won their third consecutive bowl game, with a convincing 52-38 win over Kent State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.  Linebacker Chad Muma was one of six national finalists for the Butkus Award in 2021.  Muma earned Second Team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Pro Football Focus and was a Third Team selection by Associated Press.  He was selected as the Sixth Pick in the Third Round (70th overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 NFL Draft.  Sawvel also had six of his defenders earn All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2021.  Muma was a First Team selection (MW Coaches/Media and Pro Football Focus), cornerback C.J. Coldon (Second Team MW Coaches/Media), nose tackle Cole Godbout (Second Team Pro Football Focus and Honorable Mention MW Coaches/Media), cornerback Azizi Hearn (Second Team Pro Football Focus), defensive end Garrett Crall (Honorable Mention MW Coaches/Media), linebacker Easton Gibbs (Honorable Mention Pro Football Focus).       In his first season guiding the Wyoming defense as defensive coordinator in 2020, the Cowboys were among the best in the country, ranking No. 16 in the nation in total defense, allowing opponents only 328.0 yards per game.  UW's defense also ranked No. 21 in rushing defense (125.3 yards per game), No. 24 in scoring defense (21.0 points per game) and No. 29 in pass defense (202.7 yards per game).  Three of his Cowboy defenders earned All-Conference recognition in 2020.  Junior linebacker Chad Muma earned First Team All-Mountain West honors from MW head coaches and media.  Senior free safety Esaias Gandy earned Honorable Mention honors from the conference head coaches and media, and sophomore cornerback C.J. Coldon earned Fourth Team All-MW from Phil Steele. Before coming to Wyoming, Sawvel served as the defensive coordinator at Wake Forest University in 2017 and '18.  He was named the defensive coordinator at Wake Forest in January 2017 and helped the Deacons to the 2017 Belk Bowl.  During his first season at the helm of the Wake Forest defense, the Deacons set school records for tackles for loss in a single season and finished the season ranked No. 7 nationally in tackles for loss. As the cornerbacks coach in 2017, Sawvel coached Essang Bassey, who set a sophomore school record with 19 passes defended and earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors. Prior to coaching at Wake Forest, Sawvel served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota where he constructed a Top 25 ranked defense and helped the Gophers to their best record in 13 seasons in 2016.  Minnesota posted a 9-4 record in 2016 and defeated Washington State, 17-12, in the Holiday Bowl.  In the Holiday Bowl victory, Minnesota held Washington State's explosive passing offense to just 264 yards, 86 yards below its average, and held the Cougars to their lowest point total of the season. Sawvel spent six seasons as an assistant at Minnesota. He was the defensive backs and special teams coach from 2011 to 2015.  After Jerry Kill's retirement as the head coach at Minnesota, Tracy Claeys was elevated to head coach and Sawvel became the Gophers' defensive coordinator. Under Sawvel's direction, the 2016 Golden Gopher defense was ranked in the Top 25 in a number of defensive categories including: rushing defense (14th), turnover margin (18th), scoring defense (21st), total defense (21st) and sacks (22nd).  In addition, Minnesota ranked 27th nationally in team pass efficiency defense. Sawvel has helped develop several players who went on to play in the NFL.  In 2015, two of his players at Minnesota, Eric Murray and Briean Boddy-Calhoun, earned opportunities in the NFL.  Murray was a fourth round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs while Boddy-Calhoun signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent.  In 2014, both Murray and Boddy-Calhoun were named to the All-Big Ten Team following a season in which the Gophers were 18th in the nation in pass defense. Brock Vereen, a 2014 First Team All-Big Ten selection and another one of Sawvel's pupils, was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. For three seasons from 2014 through 2016, Sawvel had at least one of his secondary players selected in the NFL Draft.  Sawvel was part of teams that advanced to four conference championships as a collegiate coach. Prior to his time at Minnesota, he served as the defensive backs coach on Kill's coaching staff at Northern Illinois for three seasons from 2008-10.  As secondary coach at Northern Illinois, he mentored Jimmie Ward, a first round pick of the San Francisco 49ers. Sawvel was a member of the Southern Illinois staff under Kill for seven seasons from 2001-07, working with the secondary and special teams. His first full-time coaching position came at Ferris State for two seasons from 1999-2000, where he coached the defensive backs and special teams. Sawvel was a three-year letterwinner and an All-Conference linebacker in 1993 at Division III power Mount Union.  He earned a bachelor's degree in 1993 in sports management with minors in business administration, information systems and physical education.  He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Eastern Kentucky in 1994 and moved to Notre Dame as a graduate assistant coach for the 1996-98 seasons.  Sawvel owns master's degrees from both Eastern Kentucky and Notre Dame, where he completed his master's in administration. Sawvel has two daughters, Mackenzie and Miranda. Coaching Experience 2024-Pres.        Wyoming, Head Coach 2020-2023         Wyoming, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties 2017-18            Wake Forest, Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks 2016                 Minnesota, Defensive Coordinator/Secondary 2011-15             Minnesota, Secondary/Special Teams 2008-10             Northern Illinois, Secondary/Special Teams 2001-07             Southern Ilinois, Secondary/Special Teams 1999-00             Ferris State, Secondary/Special Teams 1996-98             Notre Dame, Graduate Assistant 1994-95             Eastern Kentucky, Graduate Assistant  

Roehrich enters his first season as a defensive assistant for the Cowboys. He comes to Wyoming after spending time at Minnesota State Moorehead from 2019 to 2025 serving as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. He helped lead the Dragon defense that allowed only 179 yards through the air in 2025 in one of the nation's top NCAA Division II Conferences in the Northern Sun. His 2024 special team unit ranked third in the nation in blocked punts n 2024. His unit also led the conference in kick return yards in 2022 and his punting unit ranked fourth in the NSIC in net punting in 2023.  Roehrich played for the Dragons from 2013-17 as a defensive back and linebacker. He was a two-time NSIC North Division Second Team honoree and also was north division honorable mention twice. He finished with 304 career tackles at MSUM and also was a three-time NSIC All-Academic honoree. He was a two-time team captain and stated all 44 games he appeared in during his career. Roehrich is a native of Stanley, N.D. He majored in physics at MSUM.

         Haley Walsh is entering her 13th year as office manager for the Wyoming Football program, having joined the athletic department in June of 2011.             As one of the first staff members that visitors to the Wyoming Football program meet, Walsh is an important contributor in projecting a positive image for Cowboy Football.  Included in her responsibilities are: helping coordinate coaches’ travel, handling financial transactions for the program, assisting in preparing materials for practice preparation, maintaining coaches’ schedules, aiding with recruiting, maintaining information on players and coaches and helping with summer camps.           Walsh came to the Cowboy Football program from the University of Wyoming Foundation where she worked from October of 2009 until June 2011.  While at the UW Foundation, she was an administrative assistant to the major gift officers.  Prior to that, she worked for the City Engineer in Sheridan, Wyo. for one year, and worked at the Albany County Clerk’s Office in Laramie, Wyo., from 2003-08 as an election clerk.                   Walsh is a 2001 graduate of Laramie High School.  In December of 2019, she completed her bachelor’s degree in general studies from the University of Wyoming.  Walsh grew up on her family’s ranch west of Laramie.  Her husband, J.T. Walsh, is also a Laramie native and a graduate of the University of Wyoming.  He is a local realtor.  

Haselbeck enters his second season with the Cowboys in a full-time position. He was an assistant and student assistant for the Brown and Gold from 2017-21. He comes to Wyoming from Kansas State serving as the assistant director of football video for three seasons.  He was a seasonal intern with the New York Jets of the National Football league during the 2021-22 campaign. He worked with XOS & Catapult software by completing cut ups for players, coaches, & front office. At Wyoming, he was promoted to assistant video coordinator in 2020. He was a student assistant prior to being promoted. 

Twitter: @CoachBHen A former Wyoming football great returned to his alma mater in February of 2023 when Brian Hendricks was announced as the Cowboys’  defensive ends coach.  He enters his fourth season on the staff for the Cowboys. Hendricks, a native of Burlington, Colo., played for the Pokes from 2008-11 and was honored three times with Mountain West All-Conference honors as a linebacker. In 2025, The Cowboys defense was once again one of the top units in the nation ranking No. 30 in the nation allowing only 20.5 points per game. The Cowboys also featured one the nation’s top red-zone defenses ranking second in the nation. Wyoming allowed only 175.5 passing yards per game, which ranked No. 13 in the nation. The Cowboys also blocked four kicks on the season, a number that ranked fifth in the nation.   Wyoming recorded two shutouts during the season doing so against Akron in the season opener and Colorado State. It marked the first time since 1966 that the Cowboys recorded two shutouts in a season. In 2024, Wyoming led the nation in third-down defense this season holding opponents to 26 percent. The Cowboys closed the season holding two of the nation's top offenses in Boise State and Washington State to a combined 31 points.              In 2023, the Pokes would win nine games, as it was Wyoming's first nine-win season since 1996 when UW posted a 10-2 season.  The Cowboy defense ranked No. 26 in the nation in turnovers gained, which ranked third in the MW. The Cowboys rank seventh in the nation with 11 fumble recoveries. The Wyoming defense ranks No. 24 in the nation in fewest yards allowed per pass attempts. Sawvel's 2023 defense ranks No. 2 in the Mountain West Conference in scoring defense (allowing only 22.3 points per game) and ranks No. 3 in the MW in total defense (allowing opponents only 357.8 yards per game).            Defensive end Sabastian Harsh earned Third-Team All-W honors by Phil Steele. He recorded 50 tackles and led the tea with nine tackles for loss along with three sacks. DeVonne Harris added 35 tackles along with four sacks on the season.          Hendricks returned to Wyoming from Illinois State University where he had been the defensive line coach for five seasons (2018-22) under head coach Brock Spack, who was Wyoming’s defensive coordinator in 1995 and ‘96 under the late Wyoming head coach Joe Tiller.           Prior to that, Hendricks coached for three seasons at Montana (2015-17).  His first season with the Griz, Hendricks coached the defensive ends, and he coached the entire defensive line his final two seasons.           In 2013, he earned his first full-time college coaching position at Colorado Schools of Mines and coached the Oredigger defensive line for two seasons from 2013-14.  Hendricks also served as a defensive graduate assistant at Colorado State prior to that, working for his former linebacker coach at Wyoming, Marty English, who Hendricks now replaces as UW’s defensive ends coach following English’s retirement announcement on Feb. 14, 2023.          The Illinois State defense in 2022 ranked No. 5 in the nation among Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams in sacks, with 35.  ISU also was No. 5 in the country in pass defense (169.8 yards allowed per game), was No. 10 in total defense (318.5 yards allowed) and No. 11 in scoring defense (20.2 points allowed per game).          In 2019, the Redbirds enjoyed an outstanding season, posting a 10-5 record and advancing to the FCS Quarterfinals before losing a defensive battle by a score of 9-3 to eventual national champion North Dakota State.  Illinois State was ranked No. 6 in the nation in 2019.           Hendricks’ 2019 defensive front led the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in sacks, with 52.  That defensive line unit was led by All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) First Team defensive end Romeo McKnight and MVFC Honorable Mention nose tackle John Ridgeway.  McKnight would go on to play in the East-West Shrine Game and sign as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns.  Earlier in their careers, McKnight was named a HERO Sports FCS Sophomore All-American and an MVFC All-Newcomer Team selection in his first season, while Ridgeway also earned MVFC All-Newcomer Team honors.          The 52 sacks in 2019 were also an Illinois State school record. The 2019 Redbird defense ranked in the Top 10 in the nation in seven defensive categories, including: leading the nation in red zone defense (61.4 percent), ranking No. 3 in turnovers gained (33), No. 4 in scoring defense (16.0 points allowed per game),  No. 11 in total defense (303.5 yards allowed per game), No. 14 in rushing defense (116.7 yards allowed per game) and No. 19 in pass defense (186.8 yards allowed per game).          The 2018 season was also a strong one for the Redbird defense as it ranked No. 10 in scoring defense (20.0 points allowed per game) and No. 22 in rushing defense (126.8 yards allowed per game).  Illinois State also ranked as the the second-best total defense (309.8 ypg) in the conference behind eventual national champion North Dakota State.             Hendricks came to Illinois State after serving as an assistant coach at Montana for three seasons. At Montana, Hendricks served the last two seasons as the Grizzlies’ defensive line coach.  He coached the defensive ends his first season in 2015 and worked with 2015 STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Tyrone Holmes, who led the nation with 18 sacks.  The 2015 Griz team posted an 8-5 record, advanced to the Second Round of the FCS Playoffs and earned a No. 14 national ranking.          Hendricks followed Colorado School of Mines head coach Bob Stitt to Montana.  Hendricks was an assistant coach for Stitt at Mines for the 2013 and ‘14 seasons, working with the defensive line.  In 2014, Mines had an overall record of 10-2 and tied for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title with an 8-1 league mark.  The Orediggers advanced to the First Round of the 2014 NCAA Division II Playoffs, and earned a No. 16 national ranking.          With Hendricks coaching the defensive front, the 2014 Orediggers’ defense ranked second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in scoring defense (23.4 points allowed per game), No. 1 in the RMAC and No. 36 in the nation in Division II in rushing defense (124.9 yards allowed per game) and No. 1 in the RMAC and No. 12 in the nation in sacks (38).           Hendricks coached an Oredigger defense in 2013 that ranked No. 1 in the RMAC and No. 7 in the country in scoring defense (17.0 points allowed per game).           He joined Stitt’s staff in 2013, following a short stint as a defensive graduate assistant at Colorado State, working with his former position coach at Wyoming, Marty English, who was CSU’s defensive coordinator at the time.          As a linebacker for the Cowboys from 2008-11, Hendricks earned Second Team All-Mountain West honors twice -- as a senior in 2011 and as a sophomore in 2009.  He also earned Honorable Mention All-MW honors his junior season of 2010 in spite having to fight thru some nagging injuries throughout that season.           A former Wyoming team captain, Hendricks concluded his career with 309 career tackles, while playing in 45 career games for the Cowboys.  He was a starter for the Pokes when they captured the 2009 New Mexico Bowl Championship, with a 35-28 double overtime win over Fresno State.  In that game, Hendricks led Wyoming with 13 tackles and he and his defensive teammates posted a remarkable goal-line stand in the first overtime.  Fresno State had a first and goal at the Wyoming one-yard line, but the Cowboy defense held the Bulldogs out of the end zone on four straight running plays and UW went on to capture the victory.  Hendricks led the Cowboys to a second New Mexico Bowl appearance his senior season of 2011.           He ended the 2009 season ranked No. 12 in the nation in tackles, averaging 10.55 per game.  His 116 tackles in the 2009 season ranks as the 24th best single-season performance in school history, and he still holds the school record for most tackles in a single game, recording 23 tackles on the road at Air Force in 2009.          Hendricks is a native of Burlington, Colo., he earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from the University of Wyoming in 2011.  He and his wife Talia, who is a native of Green River, Wyo., have three children, son Hawk, daughter Quinn and son Westly.           He recruits his native state of Colorado and the Panhandle of Texas for the Cowboys.   Brian Hendricks’ Year-by-Year Coaching History   Year                 School                                     Position 2023-Present   Wyoming                                  Defensive Ends Coach 2018-22            Illinois State                             Defensive Line Coach 2016-17            Montana                                   Defensive Line Coach 2015                 Montana                                   Defensive Ends Coach 2013-14            Colorado School of Mines        Defensive Line Coach 2013                 Colorado State                         Defensive Graduate Assistant Coach  

University of Wyoming head football coach Jay Sawvel  announced the hiring of Jason Petrino as the new safeties coach for the Cowboys in winter of 2024. He is entering his third season leading the safeties in 2025. Petrino served as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at North Dakota State for the 2023 season.  Earlier in his career, he served as a graduate assistant coach at Wyoming from 2003-04 and as Director of Football Operations for the Cowboys from 2008-09. In 2025, The Cowboys defense was once again one of the top units in the nation ranking No. 30 in the nation allowing only 20.5 points per game. The Cowboys also featured one the nation’s top red-zone defenses ranking second in the nation. Wyoming allowed only 175.5 passing yards per game, which ranked No. 13 in the nation. The Cowboys also blocked four kicks on the season, a number that ranked fifth in the nation.   Wyoming recorded two shutouts during the season doing so against Akron in the season opener and Colorado State. It marked the first time since 1966 that the Cowboys recorded two shutouts in a season. In 2024, Wyoming led the nation in third-down defense this season holding opponents to 26 percent. The Cowboys closed the season holding two of the nation's top offenses in Boise State and Washington State to a combined 31 points.   "Jason Petrino brings a wealth of experience as a coordinator, position coach and developer of safeties, Sawvel said. "He brings a great knowledge base of what we are trying to do. He is a great recruiter and person. I'm excited about him as an overall great addition to our defensive staff." Petrino brings with him 24 years of coaching and administrative experience in college football, including three years as a college head coach at Rocky Mountain College from 2016-18 and 13 seasons as a defensive coordinator.   "I'm very excited to be back at the University of Wyoming," Petrino said. "My family and I have some great memories in Laramie and it is a full circle moment for us. We are fired up to be back as we love the State of Wyoming and this program. I'm excited to get to work with this staff and group of student-athletes."   During the 2023 season, he helped coach North Dakota State to the semifinals of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs before the Bison lost a two-point game, 29-31, at Montana.  Petrino's 2023 defense at NDSU ranked No. 9 in the nation among FCS schools in total defense, allowing opponents only 302.6 yards of total offense per game.  The Bison defense also ranked: No. 18 in the FCS in scoring defense (19.9 points allowed per game), No. 24 in passing yards allowed (186.1 yards per game) and No. 22 in rushing defense (116.5 rushing yards per game).  One of his defensive backs, Cole Wisniewski, earned First Team Associated Press All-America honors.  He was also named as the top defensive back in FCS football in 2023 by the FCS Athletic Directors.   Association.  Wisniewski led FCS in interceptions in 2023, with eight total interceptions in 14 games, averaging 0.6 interceptions per game.  Another 2023 First Team AP All-American was defensive back PJ Jules of Southern Illinois, who Petrino coached from 2019-22 as defensive coordinator at Southern Illinois prior to moving to North Dakota State.   In his four seasons as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Southern Illinois (2019-22), Petrino helped lead the Salukis to the quarterfinals of the 2020 FCS Playoffs and the second round of the 2021 FCS Playoffs.  He helped transform SIU into one of the top performing defenses in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.  Petrino coached Saluki safety Jeremy Chinn, who was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.    Prior to SIU, Petrino spent three seasons (2016-18) as head coach of NAIA Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., where he led the program to an outright conference championship and an NAIA playoff berth in 2018, with an 8-4 overall record and a 7-3 Frontier Conference mark.  While his coaching background had been focused on the defensive side of the ball, Petrino decided to serve as Rocky's offensive coordinator in 2018.  His Rocky team advanced to the first round of the 2018 NAIA Playoffs where they lost to eventual National Champion Morningside (Iowa).   Petrino coached four seasons as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at South Dakota under former Wyoming head coach Joe Glenn from 2012 to 2015.  In his final season at USD, the Coyotes had the fourth-ranked defense in the conference and beat the eventual National Champion North Dakota State Bison, 24-21, on the road in the regular season.   He spent one season each as the defensive backs coach at Nebraska-Omaha in 2011, preceded by serving as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Winona State in 2010.   Petrino spent two separate stints as part of the Wyoming Cowboy Football program.  His first two years he served as a graduate assistant coach in 2003 and 2004 and then he returned for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, serving as Wyoming's Director of Football Operations.  While at Wyoming, Petrino was part of two bowl appearances and two bowl championships -- a 2004 Las Vegas Bowl victory over UCLA and a 2009 New Mexico Bowl win over Fresno State.   In between his two stays at Wyoming, he was the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., for three seasons from 2005 to 2007.  He helped the Marauders transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II level.  UMary led the Northern Sun Conference in total defense, passing defense and red-zone defense in 2007 and tied for second place in its first year of conference play.   Petrino began his college coaching career at his alma mater, Carroll College, as defensive backs coach from 2000 to 2002 under head coach Mike Van Diest, a former Wyoming Cowboy player and assistant coach.  Petrino was part of an NAIA National Championship team in 2002 at Carroll.   Among the college players he has coached who went on to play in the NFL include former Wyoming Cowboys: cornerback Derrick Martin (Wyoming 2003-05), who was a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants; safety John Wendling (Wyoming 2003-06); safety Chris Prosinski (Wyoming 2007-10); and cornerback/safety Tashaun Gipson (Wyoming 2008-11).  Other former players of Petrino's who went on to the NFL include: Tyler Starr (South Dakota 2012-14), Jarrid Bryant (South Dakota 2013-14), Steve Tellefsen (South Dakota 2012-15) and Jeremy Chinn (Southern Illinois 2019).   Petrino played his college football at Carroll College in Helena, Mont., from 1995-99 under Van Diest.  Petrino was a team captain and Second Team All-Frontier Conference defensive back.    Petrino achieved his bachelor's degree in sociology from Carroll College and added a master's degree in business management from the University of Mary in 2009.  He and his wife, Heather, are the parents of Jason, Mikaylah, Patrick and one niece, Danika. Petrino recruits California forthe Cowboys.   Jason Petrino's Coaching History 2024-                   Wyoming                   Safeties Coach 2023                    North Dakota State    Defensive Coordinator/Safeties 2019-22               Southern Illinois         Defensive Coordinator/Safeties   2016-18               Rocky Mountain         Head Coach 2012-15               South Dakota             Defensive Coordinator   2011                    Nebraska-Omaha       Defensive Backs 2010                    Winona State             Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers 2008-09               Wyoming                   Director of Football Operations 2005-07               University of Mary      Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs 2003-04               Wyoming                   Graduate Assistant Coach/Safeties       2000-02               Carroll College           Defensive Backs

         Samantha Patten was hired as Wyoming’s Director of On-Campus Recruiting in August of 2022.  Patten came to Wyoming after most recently serving as a recruiting intern for the University of Florida football program from 2018 to 2020.          At Wyoming, she works closely with the Cowboy coaching staff in coordinating on-campus visits by recruits and hosting recruits and their families while on campus.  She also assists the Executive Director of Recruiting and Director of Player Personnel in helping manage all recruiting activities.  Patten also assists in hosting special events for Cowboy Football.          Patten’s position at the University of Florida in the summer of 2022 was as a football intern and recruiting analyst.  She assisted in planning official and unofficial recruiting visits for prospective student-athletes.  Patten helped host recruits and their families while on campus, including conducting tours of the Florida campus and the athletics facilities.  She held that position from May to July of 2022 before accepting her full-time position with Wyoming Football.          Since graduating from Florida in August 2020, Patten has also gained valuable experience working in two different roles affiliated with the NFL.  From September 2021 to April 2022, Patten worked as a coaching and personnel intern with Athletes First, which is one of the most prestigious agencies representing NFL players, coaches, administrative personnel and broadcasters.  She attended the 2022 NFL Combine, assisting with setup of the venue and registration.  Patten helped create personalized graphics and presentations for clients and was involved in data analysis and execution of other creative materials.  She specifically assisted in planning and creating head-coaching interview presentations for Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus.          Patten’s other NFL experience was working as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ game-day event and entertainment staff from August 2021 to January 2022.  She assisted with the Fan Entertainment Zone, coordinating with corporate sponsors on set up and breakdown.  During home games, Patten served on the field as a liaison to pre-game and halftime performers.  She also engaged with fans to help ensure their overall positive game-day experience.          From December 2020 to June 2021, Patten gained experience as a game operations and marketing intern with the Orlando Solar Bears, a minor-league hockey team affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL.  She helped create and organize all in-game promotions and intermission contests, as well as assisted in planning and implementation of other special events and promotions for the team.  Patten was also involved with management of the Solar Bears Twitter account during games.          As an undergraduate at the University of Florida, Patten was a recruiting and administrative assistant with Gator Football from January 2018 to May 2020.  She assisted in updating information on prospective student-athletes for use by the Florida recruiting and coaching staffs as they evaluated potential recruits.  Patten helped in organizing recruiting events for prospects and their families, and she helped design and create recruiting materials that focused on the various academic programs available at the University of Florida.  She was also a Gator Football Ambassador from January 2017 to January 2018, helping host prospects and their families on game days.          Patten earned her bachelor of science degree in advertising, with a concentration in art studies and graphic design from Florida in August 2020.      

Twitter: @CoachABohl University of Wyoming head football coach Jay Sawvel announced the promotion of linebacker coach Aaron Bohl to the role of defensive coordinator in January of 2024 and is in his third season in the role. Bohl has served as linebackers coach for the Cowboys for the last five seasons and has been with the program since 2017 and will continue to coach the position group.   "Aaron Bohl is an outstanding football coach and that has shown in the development and the play of our linebackers over the past few years," Sawvel said. "His knowledge of the defense is outstanding along with the knowledge of the concepts we have in place. He has grown as a coach in his time at Wyoming and I'm excited for him to have this opportunity with our program." Bohl was named to the 2025 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute by the American Football Coaches Association. The class was chosen from a field of over 200 highly qualified applicants. In 2025, The Cowboys defense was once again one of the top units in the nation ranking No. 30 in the nation allowing only 20.5 points per game. The Cowboys also featured one the nation’s top red-zone defenses ranking second in the nation. Wyoming allowed only 175.5 passing yards per game, which ranked No. 13 in the nation. The Cowboys also blocked four kicks on the season, a number that ranked fifth in the nation.   Wyoming recorded two shutouts during the season doing so against Akron in the season opener and Colorado State. It marked the first time since 1966 that the Cowboys recorded two shutouts in a season. He menotred a pair of All-Conference linebackers in Brayden Johnson and Evan Eller.    Bohl wrapped up his first season as defensive coordinator for the Cowboys in 2024.  He spent the previous four seasons as linebackers coach and still coaches the position group and has been with the program since 2017. Wyoming led the nation in third-down defense this season holding opponents to 25.9 percent. The Cowboys closed the season holding two of the nation's top offenses in Boise State and Washington State to a combined 31 points. He mentored All-MW linebacker Shae Suiaunoa in 2024. Suiaunoa was named Second Team All-MW at linebacker. He was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award as well. He led the Cowboys in tackles with 88 on the season and added a team-high 10 tackles for loss along with one sack.  Suiaunoa ranked tenth in the conference in tackle per game at 7.3 He recorded 10 or more stops in four games.   Bohl just finished his fourth season as the linebackers coach in 2023.  He was named the Wyoming Cowboys' full-time linebackers coach in January 2020.  He originally joined the Wyoming coaching staff in the January of 2017 as a Defensive Graduate Assistant, making the 2023 season his seventh as a college coach.  He was elevated to the position of interim linebackers coach in October of 2019.  Bohl has been part of six bowl-eligible teams for the Cowboys in 2017, '18, '19, '21 '22 and '23, four bowl championship teams -- the 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Champions, the 2019 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl Champions and the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Champs and 2023 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl Champs.   "I'm very excited to be in this new role," Bohl said. "We have an outstanding tradition at Wyoming of playing great defense and I look forward to continuing that with the staff that we have intact here. Our expectation is to keep moving forward as a defensive unit and I'm thankful for the opportunity Coach Sawvel for giving me the opportunity."   A former college linebacker himself at Minnesota State Moorhead from 2013-16, Bohl was a four-year starter and three-year captain.   In 2023, the Pokes would win nine games, as it was Wyoming's first nine-win season since 1996 when UW posted a 10-2 season.  Bohl helped mentor linebacker Easton Gibbs to First Team All-Mountain West honors. He finished the season with 109 total tackles and ranks amongst the best in Cowboy Football history in career tackles. Wyoming's second highest tackler was also a linebacker in Shae Suiaunoa, as he recorded 93 on the season. The Pokes would go on to win nine games for the most since the 1996 season. Gibbs went on to sign a priority free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks.  Wyoming's 2022 defense ranked No. 2 in the Mountain West and No. 21 in the nation in sacks, averaging 2.85 per game.  UW's defense also ranked No. 2 in the MW and No. 33 in the FBS in defensive touchdowns scored, with two.  Bohl coached All-Mountain West linebacker Easton Gibbs in '22.  Gibbs earned First Team All-MW honors from conference head coaches and media.  He also received First Team All-MW honors from Phil Steele in '22.  Gibbs ranked No. 3 in the conference and No. 22 in the nation in tackles in the 2022 season, averaging 9.3 tackles per game.  His 121 total tackles on the season marked Gibbs first 100-tackle season of his career and ranked as the 18th best single-season total in school history.  Gibbs became the third Wyoming linebacker to earn First Team All-Mountain West in the past four seasons -- Logan Wilson (2019), Chad Muma (2020 and '21) and Gibbs (2022).   The Wyoming Cowboys entered the 2022 college football season as the fourth youngest team in the country.  But given that, the Cowboys went on to record a 7-6 record, finish second in the Mountain West Conference Mountain Division and earn a spot in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl.  Along the way the '22 Pokes defeated rivals Air Force, Colorado State, Hawai'i, Utah State and American Athletic Conference member Tulsa.  Wyoming's 7-6 record gave them their fifth winning season in the past seven seasons.                  The Cowboy defense in 2021 was one of the top pass defenses in the nation.  Wyoming allowed opponents only 189.8 passing yards per game to rank No. 1 in the Mountain West and No. 12 in the nation.  The Cowboy defense was also No. 13 in the nation in defensive touchdowns scored, with three.  Wyoming held opponents to 23.7 points per game in the 2021 season to rank No. 5 in the MW and No. 43 in the country out of 130 FBS programs.  The Cowboys posted a 7-6 record and won their third consecutive bowl game, with a convincing 52-38 win over Kent State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.  Linebacker Chad Muma was one of six national finalists for the Butkus Award in 2021.  Muma earned Second Team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Pro Football Focus and was a Third Team selection by Associated Press.  He was selected as the Sixth Pick in the Third Round (70th overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 NFL Draft.  Muma ranked No. 4 in the nation in tackles (10.9 per game), No. 3 in solo tackles (6.5 per game) and tied for No. 2 in the country in interception returns for touchdowns (2 total). Muma's accomplishments in 2021 made him the second Wyoming linebacker in three seasons to earn All-America honors, be named a finalist for the Butkus Award and be selected in the third round of the NFL Draft as former Cowboy Logan Wilson achieved all those honors in 2019.   The 2020 season saw Bohl coach Muma as he earned First Team All-Mountain West Conference and led the Mountain West and ranked No. 3 in the nation in tackles, averaging 11.8 tackles per game.  The 2020 Wyoming defense was among the best in the country, ranking No. 16 in the nation in total defense, allowing opponents only 328.0 yards per game.  UW's defense also ranked No. 21 in rushing defense (125.3 yards per game), No. 24 in scoring defense (21.0 points per game) and No. 29 in pass defense (202.7 yards per game).   In 2019, Bohl coached All-America linebacker Wilson and Honorable Mention All-MW linebacker Cassh Maluia.  Wilson was one of six national finalists for the 2019 Butkus Award, honoring the nation's top collegiate linebacker.  Wilson earned multiple All-America honors, including being named a First Team All-American by Pro Football Focus, a Second Team All-American by USA Today and a Third Team All-American by Associated Press.  Wilson was the No. 1 pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.  In 2022, Wilson was the starting middle linebacker in Super Bowl LVI for the Cincinnati Bengals.  Maluia was a sixth-round selection by the New England Patriots in the 2020 NFL Draft.  UW concluded the 2019 season with an 8-5 record and a 38-17 win over Georgia State to capture the 2019 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl Championship.  The 2019 Cowboy defense ranked No. 2 in the Mountain West and No. 11 in the nation in scoring defense, allowing opponents only 17.8 points per game.  The UW defense also ranked No. 3 in the conference and No. 11 in the nation in rushing defense, giving up only 107.1 rushing yards per game to opponents.  Wyoming's defense ranked No. 6 in the country in red-zone defense and scored three defensive touchdowns to rank No. 12 in the FBS.  As a defensive graduate assistant in 2018, Bohl helped coach a Cowboy defense that ranked No. 19 in the nation in total defense (allowing opponents only 326.2 yards per game), were No. 25 in the NCAA in rushing defense (129.5 yards per game), ranked No. 28 in scoring defense (giving up only 22.0 points per game) and were No. 32 in pass defense (196.7 yards per game).  The UW defense also ranked No. 16 in the country in fewest first downs allowed to opponents (223) on way to a 6-6 record to earn bowl eligibility for the third straight season.     In 2017, Bohl was part of a Wyoming team that posted an 8-5 record and won the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Championship.  Bohl aided in coaching a defense that ranked No. 1 in the nation in takeaways in 2017, forcing 38 opponent turnovers.  The Pokes ranked No. 9 in the country in scoring defense, allowing opponents only 17.5 points per game.  UW ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in fumbles recovered (18), No. 2 in the nation in interceptions (20), No. 8 in defensive touchdowns scored (4 TDs), No. 13 in pass defense (174.9 passing yards allowed), and No. 23 in total defense (335.2 total yards allowed).     Bohl came to Wyoming from Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he completed his collegiate playing career in 2016.  As a linebacker, he started all 11 games each of his four seasons.  Bohl earned Second Team All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) honors his senior season, while recording 71 total tackles (34 solo tackles and 37 assists), 4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.  He helped lead Minnesota State Moorhead to a 7-4 overall record and 5-2 conference record placing third in the North Division of the NSIC in 2016.  For his career, Bohl was credited with 273 career tackles, 8.0 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, one interception, two fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.  Bohl graduated in December 2016 from MSUM with a math education degree.  As a high school player at Lincoln East High School in Lincoln, Neb., Bohl was an Honorable Mention All-State honoree and earned All-Conference and All-City honors.  He served as a team captain in high school, earning three letters in football.  Bohl also lettered in basketball and track.  Bohl recruits Nebraska, Kansas and the Kansas City area. Year-by-Year Coaching History 2024-Pres.      Wyoming       Defensive Coordinator  2020-2023      Wyoming       Linebackers 2019               Wyoming       Interim Linebackers Coach 2017-18          Wyoming       Graduate Assistant

Taylor served as a defensive quality control coach for Buffalo in 2024 and this season serves as an offensive advisor and defensive assistant for the Bills. He helped lead the Bills to another AFC East Championship and an AFC Championship appearance. Taylor will continue his work with the Bills and serve his role with Wyoming until the conclusion of the Bills season.   “Christian Taylor has a great football mind and has had success at two different schools as an offensive coordinator and has great experience in the National Football League,” Sawvel said. He has coached on both sides of the ball and what is impressive is how he utilizes his players and his diversity in the run game as those are areas where we feel we need to make great improvements in this program.”   He has 16 years of collegiate coaching experience and has spent two seasons in the NFL. Taylor helped lead his programs to multiple NCAA Playoff appearances, including a trip to the FCS semifinals, he mentored 11 All-Americans, four Walter Payton Award Finalists and 24 all-conference standouts highlighted by at least one first-team all-league selection every year.   “I’m fired up for this opportunity and have always been attracted to the Cowboy Football program with its physicality and toughness,” Taylor said. “I also admire the grit of the program, as it is something that resonates with me and something I believe in.”     “My family and I are ready to get to Wyoming and get involved in the community and explore this beautiful state,” Taylor said. “I’m excited to be a part of the culture that Wyoming Football has developed, as it is truly a great fit.”   Highlighting those who benefited from his tutelage are 12 standouts who signed with NFL teams, including a pair of players who were selected in the NFL Draft that include Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid, a First Round selection.   Prior to his time with the Bills, Taylor was the offensive coordinator at his alma mater William & Mary from 2020 to 2023. He was named the 2023 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Assistant Coach of the Year. He was also an FCS Coordinator of the Year finalist.   During his time at William & Mary, the Tribe had established itself among the country's top programs. His programs posted three consecutive winning seasons and W&M earned a national ranking during all three campaigns. Highlighting the run was the record-breaking 2022 season in which W&M equaled a school record with 11 victories and won a share of the CAA title while advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals as the nation's fifth seed.   Taylor helped propel William & Mary to the success with a fundamentally sound, explosive and creative offensive system that ranked among the country's best in passing efficiency, yards per play, explosive runs, passing yards per attempt and rushing yards per carry. In total, W&M ranked among the nation's top 10 in 13 offensive statistical categories.   Prior to his time at William & Mary, Taylor spent six years as an offensive assistant at the University of San Diego where he mentored four All-Americans, one Pioneer Football League (PFL) Offensive Player of the Year and 17 All-PFL performers. Three of those standouts went on to play professionally in the NFL.   In his first season as the sole offensive coordinator for the Toreros in 2019, Taylor developed starting quarterback Reid Sinnett into one of the top signal-callers in the FCS. He was a Payton Award Finalist after ranking among the nation’s top-five in passing efficiency, passing touchdowns, completion percentage and passing yards per game. Taylor also helped lead wide receiver Michael Bandy and tight end Dalton Kincaid to All-America honors on the way of piloting an offense that finished sixth-best in the country and won its sixth straight conference championship. As co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2018, Taylor led one of the most prolific offensive seasons in Toreros’ history. USD broke multiple national, conference and individual records and ranked first in the country in passing efficiency and passing touchdowns; second in passing offense; fifth in completion percentage; sixth in tackles for loss allowed; seventh in sacks allowed; and 10th in scoring offense. Prior to serving as USD’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Taylor also coached the team’s wide receivers (2016-17) and running backs (2012-13).  Taylor served two years as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Illinois Wesleyan (2014-15). He returned to the San Diego staff in 2016 to coach the wide receivers and coordinate the team’s passing game. That year, he helped the Toreros (11-2) become the first non-scholarship FCS program to win a playoff game as the Toreros defeated Cal Poly, 35-21. The Toreros posted an undefeated record in conference play during his tenure from 2016-19.   He began his coaching career as William & Mary’s tight ends coach in 2008 before leading the Tribe’s quarterbacks in 2009. He helped lead a squad that earned an FCS Playoff semifinal appearance.   William & Mary won 11 games and advanced to the FCS semifinals in 2009. Taylor was instrumental in the success of former all-conference signal caller RJ Archer, who signed NFL contracts with Minnesota, Detroit and Seattle. Taylor also had responsibilities with the Tribe’s placekickers, the video editing system and in the team's recruiting efforts.   Taylor moved on to be an offensive assistant at San Diego State with a team that was 9-4 and won the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl. It marked the program’s first bowl win since 1969 and featured a talented offensive roster that was highlighted by four players who went on to play in the NFL.   In 2011, he would join the University of Michigan as an offensive analyst. The Wolverines posted an 11-2 record and won the Sugar Bowl. Taylor began his football journey at William & Mary, earning a pair of varsity letters as the quarterback for the Tribe as well as a degree in kinesiology. He was a four-year member of the team's travel squad and a part of the 2004 team that advanced to the FCS Playoff semifinals.  He is married to Shay Taylor and they have two sons, Anthony and Tyler. Taylor’s Coaching Experience 2024-26             Buffalo Bills-  Offensive Advisor/Defensive Assistant 2020-23             William & Mary - Offensive Coordinator 2018-19             San Diego  - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach 2016-17             San Diego - Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach 2014-15             Illinois Wesleyan  - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach 2012-13             San Diego - Running Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator 2011                    Michigan - Offensive Analyst 2010                    San Diego State - Offensive Analyst 2008-09             William & Mary - Quarterbacks/Tight Ends/Kickers Coach  

Cowboy football head coach Jay Sawvel announced in late February the addition of JB Hall to the coaching staff. He will serve as an assistant coach and coach the cornerbacks for the Brown and Gold. He brings over 10 years of collegiate coaching experience and spent the last two seasons at Northern Colorado.   “JB is a versatile coach that is an excellent teacher,” Sawvel said. “He brings a great deal of experience to our staff and to our program and we are excited to have him here at the University of Wyoming.”   A 12-year NCAA Division I coaching veteran, Hall comes to UW after serving two seasons at Northern Colorado as special teams coordinator and served as defensive pass game coordinator and safeties coach.   “I’m excited for this opportunity,” Hall said. “Wyoming has a great history in college football and has been well known for playing defense at a high-level year in and year out. Coach Sawvel has a great staff in place and I’m ready to get to work with this great group of coaches and players.”   In 2025, Hall contributed to a Northern Colorado defense that showed clear, measurable improvement across multiple statistical categories. The Bears improved in nearly every defensive metric.  He played a direct role in the development of safety Cam Chapa, who was as one of the top defensive backs in the FCS. Under Hall’s guidance, Chapa earned FCS Football Central Freshman All-America honors and All-Big Sky honors.   Prior to his time at UNC, Hall served as special teams coordinator, defensive pass game coordinator, and cornerbacks Coach at Utah Tech. He also served as the program’s Interim Head Coach following the season.   In 2022, he gained experience as a special teams analyst at Georgia Tech, working in the ACC. He played an expanded role late in the season, stepping in as an interim assistant coach and contributing to game preparation and special teams execution.   Hall’s coaching résumé includes stops at Montana (2015-17), Sacramento State (2018), and Idaho State (2019-21).   While at Montana, he coached multiple All-Big Sky honorees and helped lead the Grizzlies to an FCS playoff appearance in 2015. In 2016, Montana’s defense ranked first in the Big Sky in total defense and second in pass defense as Hall oversaw the secondary.   He began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Colorado (2013-14), working with the defensive line, linebackers, and special teams units. Hall, a native of Boulder, Colo. was a wide receiver at Adams State University from 2008 through 2012 serving as a team captain and earning Athletic Director’s Honor Roll recognition. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human performance and physical education.   Hall and his wife, Marissa, are proud parents to four children: Tre, McKenna, Maya and Maddox.  

Twitter: @Coach_SBMoore Shannon Moore will enter his eighth season coaching the Wyoming tight ends and fullbacks and coordinating special teams for the Pokes in 2026.  He joined the Wyoming coaching staff in January 2019.  Moore came to Wyoming after spending the previous three years at East Carolina University.   Moore mentored a talented tight end room in 2025. John Michael Gyllenborg participated in the Senior Bowl and received an invite to the NFL Combine. The Cowboy special teams ranked fifth in the nation blocking ive kicks on the season.  In 2024, Wyoming ranked No. 16 in the nation in Red Zone Offense at nearly 91 percent for the season. His offense group featured three All-MW selections. Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg earned Second Team accolades at tight end.  He was the highest graded tight end in the MW according to Pro Football Focus.  In a win over New Mexico, the Cowboys recorded 604 yards of total offense for the most since recording 604 yards on Nov. 20, 2021 at Utah State. Protected for Poke in a contest passing for 342 yards for the most since passing for 366 yards in 2015.            In 2023, the Pokes would win nine games, as it was Wyoming's first nine-win season since 1996 when UW posted a 10-2 season. The tight end room found great success for the Brown and Gold. Treyton Welch wa named Jonorable Mention All-MW. he recorded 31 receptions for 208 yards with two touchdowns. He signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns. John Michael Gyllenborg added 23 catches for 360 yards along with three scores. He averaged 15.7 yards per catch for the season.          Moore coached Wyoming tight end Treyton Welch in 2022.  Welch was selected as the First Team All-Mountain West tight end by Pro Football Focus (PFF) in ‘22.  He also earned Third Team All-MW honors from Phil Steele and was an Honorable Mention All-Mountain selection by MW head coaches and media.  Welch was the only Mountain West tight end to rank in the Top 10 in the MW in TD receptions last season, tying for No. 4 with five total touchdown catches.  Welch received an “A” grade from PFF for the 2022 season.  Welch and fullback/tight end Parker Christensen ranked third and fourth for Wyoming in receptions in ‘22.  Welch caught 22 passes for 308 yards, and Christensen had 19 catches for 169.  All total, Moore’s tight-end and fullback group accounted for a total of 53 receptions for 604 yards and six TD receptions in ‘22.          Wyoming’s 2022 offense ranked No. 1 in the MW and No. 14 in the nation in red-zone offense (90.6 percent) and No. 3 in the MW and No. 44 nationally in rushing offense (181.4 yards per game).  The offense ranked No. 3 in the league and No. 25 nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed (4.46 per game) and ranked No. 3 in the conference and No. 30 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (1.46 per game).  The Cowboys also generated a 1,000-yard rusher in ‘22 in Titus Swen (1,039 yards).  Moore’s special teams blocked two kicks in the ‘22 season to rank No. 3 in the conference and No. 36 in the nation.             Wyoming entered the 2022 college football season as the fourth youngest team in the country but went on to record a 7-6 record, finish second in the Mountain West Conference Mountain Division and earn a spot in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl.  Along the way the ‘22 Pokes defeated rivals Air Force, Colorado State, Hawai’i, Utah State and American Athletic Conference member Tulsa.  Wyoming’s 7-6 record gave them their fifth winning season in the past seven seasons.           The 2021 Wyoming rushing attack ranked No. 2 in the Mountain West and No. 20 in the NCAA, averaging 211.7 yards per game.  UW’s passing attack was fourth best in the MW and No. 38 in the nation in average yards per completion (13.06 yards).  The Cowboys posted a 7-6 record and won their third consecutive bowl game, with a convincing 52-38 win over Kent State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.  The 52 points scored in the bowl victory was a school record for a bowl game.  Wyoming scored 40 or more points four times during the season in victories at Northern Illinois (50 points), vs. Ball State (45), at eventual MW champion Utah State (44) and vs. Kent State.          Moore’s tight ends and fullbacks had a productive 2021 season.  Treyton Welch caught 19 passes for 163 yards.  Parker Christensen had 13 receptions for 127, while Colin O’Brien caught two passes for 27 yards and Jackson Marcotte added one reception for six yards.  Combined, the four tight ends caught 35 passes for 323 yards.           That 2021 tight end group helped block for Wyoming’s No. 2 all-time career rusher Xazavian Valladay and sophomore Titus Swen, who combined for an extremely effective season.  Valladay recorded the second 1,000-yard rushing season of his career (1,070 yards) and Swen rushed for 785 yards.  Both earned All-Conference recognition in ‘21.  Valladay received Second Team All-MW honors from head coaches and media.  Swen was a Second Team selection by Pro Football Focus.  Valladay ranked No. 3 in the Mountain West in rushing yards (82.3 yards per game).  Swen ranked No. 2 in the MW and No. 26 in the nation in yards per carry (5.95).          The 2021 kickoff return team for the Cowboys ranked No. 3 in the Mountain West and No. 39 in the FBS, averaging 23.0 yards per return.  Leading that unit was Cowboy cornerback, Cam Stone, who averaged 40.0 yards per kickoff return and returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in Wyoming’s 44-17 road win over eventual MW champion Utah State.  Stone was named an Honorable Mention All-MW honoree by Pro Football Focus.          Wyoming’s 2020 offense again featured one of the most effective rushing attacks in the country among FBS teams.  The Pokes ranked No. 14 in the nation in rushing, averaging 219.5 rushing yards per game.  UW’s passing attack also ranked No. 7 nationally in passing yards per completion (14.84 yards per pass completion).  The Cowboys ranked No. 24 in fewest turnovers committed (9 total turnovers) and were No. 32 in red-zone offense (converting 23 of 26 red-zone opportunities into points).  The tight end group combined for 12 catches for 184 yards in six games, with sophomore Treyton Welch leading the group with five receptions for 95 yards.  Moore’s tight ends and fullbacks were key in opening holes for junior running back Xazavian Valladay, who earned First Team All-Mountain West honors and led the league in rushing for the second consecutive season.  Valladay averaged 110.0 rushing yards per game to not only lead the Mountain West but rank No. 17 in the nation.  He also averaged 131.00 all-purpose yards per game to rank No. 27 nationally.           In 2019, the Cowboy offense ranked No. 2 in the Mountain West and No. 23 in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 214.8 yards per game.  The Cowboy offense also ranked No. 10 in the NCAA in passing yards per completion (14.75 yards per completion), No. 14 in fewest tackles for loss allowed (4.62 per game), No. 26 in fewest fumbles lost (6), No. 32 in third-down conversions (43.3 percent), No. 32 in fewest sacks allowed (1.62 per game) and No. 33 in fewest turnovers committed (15).  The Cowboy fullbacks and tight ends helped block for running back Valladay, who earned First Team All-Mountain West honors for the 2019 season.  Valladay was one of only three running backs in the nation named to the Associated Press All-Bowl team.  Moore’s tight ends combined for 29 receptions for 391 yards and four touchdowns in 2019, and were led by senior team captain Josh Harshman from Casper, Wyo., who had 20 catches for 264 yards and two TDs.  On special teams, Wyoming ranked No. 1 in the Mountain West and No. 4 in the nation in kickoff returns, averaging 27.73 yards per return.  UW was No. 4 in the MW and No. 34 in the NCAA in punt returns, averaging 10.76 yards per return, and senior punt returner Austin Conway ranked No. 2 in the conference and No. 14 nationally in punt returns (10.8 yards per return).  Conway was named Second Team All-Mountain West as a return specialist in voting by conference head coaches and media.          Moore came to Wyoming from East Carolina University, which is a member of the American Athletic Conference.  Moore coached at East Carolina for three seasons from 2016-18.  His first two seasons, he coached the tight ends and coordinated the special teams for the Pirates, including coordinating the field goal, punt and kickoff return and punt and kickoff coverage teams.  In 2016, punter Worth Gregory earned All-American Athletic Conference honors and place-kicker Davis Plowman ranked No. 2 in the AAC in field goals made per game and in field-goal percentage.  The 2017 season saw punter Austin Barnes lead the AAC in punting and rank No. 19 in the nation, while place-kicker Jake Verity ranked No. 2 in the AAC and No. 33 in the nation in field goals made per game.  Punter Worth went to mini-camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars when his college career ended in 2016, and tight end Stephen Baggett earned a spot in the Cleveland Browns’ preseason camp following his senior season of 2017.  Moore’s final season, he continued to coach the tight ends, while also being given the responsibility of being East Carolina’s recruiting coordinator.              Before joining the East Carolina coaching staff, Moore coached for two seasons (2014-15) at Florida International University where he served as the special teams coordinator both seasons.  His 2014 Panther special teams’ units ranked No. 1 overall in Conference USA in special teams combined rankings, and his 2015 special teams were No. 3 overall.  Punt returner Richard Leonard led Conference USA in punt returns both seasons and earned First Team All-Conference honors as a punt returner in both 2014 and ‘15.  Leonard set a new FIU single-season school record for punt returns in 2014, averaging 23.76 yards per return.  Leonard went on to play for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League.  The Panthers ranked No. 1 in C-USA in punt returns as a team in 2014 and ranked No. 2 in the nation.  Moore’s 2015 special teams led the league and ranked among the country’s best in punt return average (10.8 yards per return), most blocked kicks (four) and fewest blocks allowed (zero).          Moore coached for eight seasons as a full-time assistant coach at South Dakota State (2006-13) and two years at SDSU as a graduate assistant (2003-04).  During his time at South Dakota State, he coordinated special teams and coached tight ends his last four seasons from 2010-13.  Prior to that, Moore coached the running backs and tight ends from 2006-08, before taking on the duties of special teams coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the 2009 season.          During his tenure with the Jackrabbits, Moore coached four All-Conference running backs and a pair of All-Conference tight ends. At running back, Kyle Minett developed into a two-time All-America honoree while ranking second in career rushing with 4,277 yards.  Anthony Watson and Cory Koenig also ended their careers in the top five on SDSU’s career rushing chart.  Moore played an instrumental role in the development of two-time All-Great West Football Conference tight end Chris Wagner, who later signed as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders.  Moore also served as a mentor to tight end Colin Cochart, who earned First-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in 2010 and later signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.  The Jackrabbits consistently ranked among the top teams in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in several special teams categories under Moore’s direction.  SDSU ranked first or second in kickoff coverage in 2010 and 2011, while ranking among the Top 20 nationally for net punting in those respective campaigns.  The Jackrabbits also ranked ninth nationally for kickoff returns with an average of 23.86 yards per return in 2010.          In addition to his coaching duties, Moore performed a key role in the academic success of the South Dakota State football program, which led its league in the number of Academic All-League selections in each of his eight seasons.  Six Jackrabbits earned Capital One Academic All-America honors, two received Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Athletic Directors Association Postgraduate Scholarships and another pair were bestowed with NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.  Moore previously served as a graduate assistant at SDSU during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, working with the running backs, tight ends and special teams.          Before returning to Brookings, he served as head coach of the Wyoming Cavalry of the National Indoor Football League, where he compiled an 18-11 record over two seasons in 2004 and ‘05. In 2005, Moore led the Casper-based Cavalry to a franchise-best, 10-5 record and a playoff berth, while also serving as the team’s offensive coordinator.           Moore played three seasons at Black Hills (S.D.) State, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 2000.  Moore completed his master’s degree in educational administration in 2005 and his master’s in sports administration in 2007, both from South Dakota State.          A native of Gordon, Neb., Moore and his wife, Lindsay, have one daughter, Mackenzie Rose.          Moore recruits the states of South Dakota and Wyoming and the Dallas metropolitan area. Coaching Experience 2019-                    Wyoming                            Tight Ends and Fullbacks 2018                     East Carolina                      Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator 2016-17                East Carolina                      Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends 2014-15                Florida International            Special Teams Coordinator 2010-13                South Dakota State             Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends 2009                     South Dakota State             Special Teams Coordinator/Quarterbacks 2006-08                South Dakota State             Running Backs and Tight Ends 2004-05                Wyoming Cavalry*               Head Coach 2003-04                South Dakota State             Graduate Assistant   *Member of the National Indoor Football League

Joe Tripodi joined the Wyoming Football coaching staff as the Cowboys’ offensive line coach in February 2022.  He will be entering his fifth season coaching Wyoming’s offensive line in 2026 and his 17th season as a college coach.  Tripodi previously coached the offensive line at Temple University for three seasons from 2019-21 and coached nine seasons at Northern Illinois from 2010-18. In 2025, Tripodi mentored a pair of All-Mountain West players in guard Caden Barnett and center Jack Walsh. Barnett earned second team honors with Walsh earning honorable mention. Both played in the Hula Bowl and Barnett was also featured in the East-West Shrine Game. Barnett was the highest graded offensive guard in the the MW according to Pro Football Focus. In 2024, Wyoming ranked No. 16 in the nation in Red Zone Offense at nearly 91 percent for the season. Guard Jack Walsh earned Second  Team All-MW honors as well. Pro Football Focus ranked him the No. 25 guard in the nation and fourth in the MW. Center Nofoafia Tulafono earned Honorable Mention All-MW honors.  In a win over New Mexico, the Cowboys recorded 604 yards of total offense for the most since recording 604 yards on Nov. 20, 2021 at Utah State. Protected for Poke in a contest passing for 342 yards for the most since passing for 366 yards in 2015.          In 2023, the Pokes would win nine games, as it was Wyoming's first nine-win season since 1996 when UW posted a 10-2 season. His unit was named to the Joe Moore Award Mid-season Watch List, as the award goes to the best offensive line in the nation. Frank Crum was named First Team All-MW, as Crum signed with the Denver Broncos in April. Jack Walsh was named Pro Football Focus First Team All-MW and earned Third Team honors from Phil Steele.         In his first season with Wyoming in 2022, the Cowboy offense ranked No. 1 in the MW and No. 14 in the nation in red-zone offense (90.6 percent) and No. 3 in the MW and No. 44 nationally in rushing offense (181.4 yards per game).  The offense ranked No. 3 in the league and No. 25 nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed (4.46 per game) and ranked No. 3 in the conference and No. 30 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (1.46 per game).  Tripodi’s offensive line helped pave the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in 2022 as Titus Swen rushed for 1,039 yards.       All five of Tripodi’s starting offensive linemen earned All-Conference recognition in ‘22.  Offensive guard Zach Watts was selected First Team All-Mountain West by Pro Football Focus (PFF).  PFF named Cowboy center Nofoafia Tulafono to its Second Team.  Offensive tackle Frank Crum was selected to PFF’s Third Team along with offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon.  Offensive guard Eric Abojei was named Third Team All-MW by Phil Steele.  Pregnon was also named a Second Team Freshman All-American by College Football News.        Wyoming entered the 2022 college football season as the fourth youngest team in the country but went on to record a 7-6 record, finish second in the Mountain West Conference Mountain Division and earn a spot in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl.  Along the way the ‘22 Pokes defeated rivals Air Force, Colorado State, Hawai’i, Utah State and American Athletic Conference member Tulsa.  Wyoming’s 7-6 record gave them their fifth winning season in the past seven seasons.        Tripodi is a former starting offensive lineman himself at Northwestern University of the Big Ten.  He started the final 24 consecutive games he played for the Wildcats and was part of two Northwestern teams to earn bowl bids -- the 2003 Motor City Bowl and the 2005 Sun Bowl.  He was the co-recipient of the inaugural Randy Walker Wildcat Award in 2006, which is awarded to the player with the best work ethic, toughness and warrior attitude.       During Tripodi’s three seasons at Temple from 2019-21, he coached First Team All-America center Matt Hennessy in 2019.  Hennessy was also a finalist for the 2019 Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top collegiate center each season.  The Owls’ earned a berth in the 2019 Military Bowl.  Tripodi coached five All-America Athletic Conference players at Temple, and had two of his offensive lineman go on to the NFL, including Hennessy, who was a third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons.       Prior to Temple, Tripodi spent nine seasons at Northern Illinois.  In his last three seasons at Northern Illinois from 2016-18, Tripodi was the Offensive Run-Game Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach for the Huskies.  NIU ranked 17th in the nation in rushing offense and 31st in total offense in 2016, while allowing only 8.0 total sacks to opponents to rank No. 2 in the country in fewest sacks allowed.       Tripodi was the offensive line coach at NIU from 2013-15.  He coached the tight ends and fullbacks in 2012, and was an offensive graduate assistant coach in 2010-11.       Over his nine years on the Huskies’ coaching staff, NIU captured four MAC Championships in 2011, ‘12, ‘14 and ‘18, and won seven MAC West Division titles in 2010, ‘11, ‘12, ‘13, ‘14, ‘15 and ‘18.  He coached 19 All-MAC offensive linemen at NIU, had one William V. Campbell Finalist (symbolic of the nation’s top football scholar-athlete), and coached six All-America players.  Tripodi also had five players earn opportunities with NFL teams, including Max Scharping, who was a second round pick of the Houston Texans.  Tripodi’s offensive line helped block for quarterback Jordan Lynch at Northern Illinois.  Lynch finished seventh in the Heisman voting in 2012 and placed third in the 2013 Heisman balloting.       Tripodi was a member of eight bowl teams at Northern Illinois in nine seasons, highlighted by an appearance in the Orange Bowl at the conclusion of the 2012 season.  The Huskies won the 2010 uDrove Humanitarian Bowl, the 2011 GoDaddy.com Bowl, and played in the 2013 Poinsettia Bowl, 2014 Boca Raton Bowl, 2015 Poinsettia Bowl, the 2017 Quick Lane Bowl and the 2018 Boca Raton Bowl.       He and his wife, Rachel, have one daughter, Emma, and one son, Roman.  Tripodi completed his bachelor’s degree in communications from Northwestern in 2006 and his master’s degree in adult and higher education from NIU in 2011.       He recruits Iowa and Wisconsin for the Cowboys.   Coaching History 2022-Present      Wyoming                        Offensive Line 2019-21               Temple                           Offensive Line 2016-18               Northern Illinois              Offensive Run-Game Coordinator/Offensive Line 2013-15               Northern Illinois              Offensive Line 2012                    Northern Illinois              Tight Ends/Fullbacks 2010-11               Northern Illinois              Offensive Graduate Assistant Coach