As spring practice nears, Idaho names new defensive line coach

MOSCOW — Loni Fangupo, a veteran assistant and former NFL player, has been named defensive line coach at Idaho, Vandals coach Jason Eck announced Monday.

Fangupo comes to Idaho from Texas Southern where he spent the 2023 season as a defensive analyst.

"He is a proven FCS D-Line coach and his experience playing defensive line at the highest level in college and in the NFL will be an added bonus for our student-athletes," Eck said. "This spring will be a great opportunity for him to make an immediate impact in our defensive line room."

Fangupo coached for four seasons at Utah Tech, where he coached Syrus Webster, who was named First-Team All-WAC after leading the WAC in sacks. Another player of his tutelage, Justin Kirkland, had a breakout freshman year in 2022, earning 40 tackles, six TFLs and two sacks before transferring to play at Oklahoma State.  

Prior to his time at Utah Tech, Fangupo was defensive line coach at Snow College. 

"We look forward to embracing the spirit of unity and excellence that defines this program," Fangupo said. "We are dedicated to bringing a commitment to service, relentless effort, enthusiasm, and a whole lot of heart on and off the field."

He coached one season as a student intern at Brigham Young University in 2015, working with the defensive line.

He spent three seasons in the NFL, where he played for the Kansas City Chiefs (2014-15), Pittsburgh Steelers (2013-14), Seattle Seahawks (2012-13), and the Houston Texans (2012).

He is a graduate of BYU (Sociology, 2016) where he played his final season in 2010. He played at USC in 2009 and was at Mount San Antonio Junior College in 2007 and 2008.

The first day of Idaho's spring practice was pushed back to Thursday, with the spring game set for April 26.