BYU head coach Kalani Sitake has lost one of his big-time coordinators to new Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham, who took over after the Sherrone Moore mess and interim coach Biff Poggi led the team into the Citrus Bowl.
Sitake, though, has decided to promote from within, which would give the Cougars a level of continuity within Sitake’s coaching staff.
Who Is BYU HC Kalani Sitake Promoting?
With BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill moving along to Ann Arbor, Mich., to fulfill the same role on Whittingham’s staff, Sitake is going to elevate Kelly Poppinga to that defensive coordinator role.
“Sources: BYU is working to finalize a deal to promote Kelly Poppinga to defensive coordinator and play caller,” ESPN College Football Senior Writer Pete Thamel reported on Wednesday. “He’s being promoted from special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach. He’s coached two stints at BYU – 2009-15 and 2022 through present.”
Sources: BYU is working to finalize a deal to promote Kelly Poppinga to defensive coordinator and play caller. He’s being promoted from special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach. He’s coached two stints at BYU – 2009-15 and 2022 through present. pic.twitter.com/fgzaNxgq4b
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 7, 2026
According to BYU’s official football website, Poppinga already is listed as Sitake’s new defensive coordinator. Back in 2009, Poppinga served as a defensive intern, followed by a stint as a defensive graduate assistant and interim outside linebacker coach in 2010. Poppinga then served as the outside linebackers coach for the Cougars from 2011 to 2012.
Between 2013 and 15, Poppinga was special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach. He then moved on to coach between 2016 and 21 with Virginia. His roles with the Cavaliers included outside linebacker coach, linebacker coach, special teams coordinator, co-defensive coordinator, and edge position coach.
In 2022, Poppinga served as co-special teams coordinator and edge coach for Boise State. Poppinga returned to the Cougars’ football program to work under Sitake.
Poppinga also played linebacker at BYU between 2006 and 2007, earning All-Mountain West Conference and Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors during that time. In his senior year, Poppinga led the Cougars with 113 tackles. Poppinga also helped BYU win back-to-back conference championships in 2006 and 2007.
Additionally, Poppinga played in the NFL, including with the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.
According to the PFSN CFB Defense Impact metrics, BYU had an impact score of 86.1 and graded out to a B. The Cougars’ defense forced 24 turnovers last season. They also held opponents to a 35.4% conversion rate on third and fourth downs. BYU’s defense allowed 209.7 yards passing per game.
Because Poppinga has worked closely with Sitake, he’ll enter into this new role with an understanding of what Sitake wants to see from his players. BYU’s desire to stay within its program also gives Sitake a trusted voice in that key defensive coordinator’s role. That’s good news as BYU will look to win the Big 12 Championship in 2026.