Former BYU LB, Dixie State DC Hired As San Diego State DL Coach

SALT LAKE CITY – San Diego State football head coach Brady Hoke announced former BYU linebacker and Dixie State defensive coordinator Justin Ena as the next defensive line coach of the Aztecs.

Ena was officially hired by SDSU on Monday, February 28.

The former BYU linebacker will join the Aztecs after spending the 2021 season as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Dixie State.

San Diego State has named @Justin__Ena as its defensive line coach. https://t.co/axI0EI15UR pic.twitter.com/Ilf4Y5kzDz

— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) February 28, 2022

Before his coaching career, Ena was a member of the BYU football program from 1997-2001.

After going undrafted in 2002, the Shelton, Washington native joined the Philadelphia Eagles. After a few seasons with the Eagles, Ena joined the Tennessee Titans in 2004. The linebacker re-joined and finished out his NFL career as a member of the Eagles in 2005.

Ena joined the coaching ranks as a member of Southern Utah’s staff in 2008. He was promoted to defensive coordinator of the Thunderbirds in 2010.

In 2014, Ena left for the same position with the Weber State Wildcats.

A year later, the former BYU player joined Kyle Whittingham’s staff at Utah as the Utes’ linebackers coach.

Ena coached at Utah until he left for Utah State in 2019. After two seasons with the Aggies, Ena joined the Dixie State program following a coaching change at USU.

Last season, the Aztecs had an 11-2 record. SDSU reached the Mountain West Championship game before winning the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl.

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