Former BYU and NFL running back Harvey Unga has been hired as the newest running backs coach at BYU, the school announced Thursday morning.
Unga, a Provo native, has spent the past four seasons as a graduate assistant coach on Kalani Sitake’s staff where he worked with running backs, wide receivers and the offensive line. Prior to returning to BYU as an assistant coach, Unga was a member of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, where he spent parts of the 2010-13 seasons. Unga also spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars before finishing his NFL career in 2014.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity. It has been a dream of mine to coach at BYU and also coach the position I played,” Unga said. “I’m grateful to Tom Holmoe, Brian Santiago, Kalani Sitake, coach (Jeff) Grimes and the staff for their trust in allowing me to take on this role. It is humbling. Above all, I’m thankful to my Heavenly Father and especially thank my wife and family for their love and support that make it all possible. The boys on the team have all been supportive of me, and I can’t wait to help them achieve their goals.”
Unga is one of the most prolific players in BYU history. The former running back tallied 3,455 rushing yards, 36 rushing touchdowns, 1,085 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns during his time at BYU and still ranks No. 2 in career rushing yards at BYU behind Jamaal Williams.
Unga replaces former running backs coach AJ Steward who left BYU this Winter to join Kevin Sumlin’s staff at Arizona as the running backs coach for the Wildcats.
Unga joined Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle to discuss the announcement and what he brings to the Cougars’ coaching staff in 2020.
