A blended scheme for a new era
When Jay Hill first brought the Kyle Whittingham‑style 4‑3 defense to Weber State twelve years ago, the team’s scoring average plummeted from 41.4 points per game in 2013 to just 17.6 by 2017. The resurgence was short‑lived; after Hill’s departure the unit slipped to 24.1 and then 27.8 points allowed under co‑coordinators Grant Duff and Joe Dale.
Enter Gavin Fowler, the newest defensive coordinator, who arrives after a thirteen‑year stint on the BYU coaching staff and deep familial ties to the Ogden campus. Fowler’s playing and coaching background gives him a unique perspective, allowing him to weave together elements of Whittingham’s 4‑3/4‑2‑5 base, Sitake’s 3‑4 concepts and Ed Lamb’s aggressive pass‑rush ideas into a single, adaptable scheme.
The philosophy is simple: keep offenses guessing. By mixing blitz packages, zone drops and hybrid fronts, Fowler hopes to create mismatches that force quarterbacks into hurried throws. Head coach Eric Kjar praised the coordinator’s creativity during fall camp, noting that the defense has already begun to “keep offenses guessing” in practice scrimmages.
Key pieces of the new-look unit include returning stalwarts Kevin Johnson and freshman Tevita Paongo, as well as emerging talents Teni Worthen, Raimoana Tinirauarii, Da’Veon Ross, Will Cornelson and the newly‑recruited cornerbacks Tre Turner and Tajon Evans. While depth remains a concern, Fowler acknowledges the need for gradual improvement, targeting a reduction in points allowed from 38.3 in 2024 to roughly 30 by the 2026 season.
The broader context includes competition within the Big Sky, where rivals such as Idaho State University and Northern Colorado have set high defensive benchmarks. Fowler’s blend of schemes is designed not only to improve Weber State’s own metrics but also to raise the program’s stature across the conference.