MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho Vandal head coach Jason Eck Monday announced the hire of Loni Fangupo as the new defensive line coach. Fangupo, a veteran assistant and former NFL player comes to Idaho from Texas Southern where he spent the 2023 season as a defensive analyst.
 
"We are very excited to welcome coach Loni and his family to the Vandal football staff," Eck said. "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. 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 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, he was the defensive line coach at Snow College. The Badgers posted an 18-4 record during Fangupo's time as defensive line coach, including a victory in the 2017 El Toro Bowl. Additionally, Fangupo coached four All-WSFL honorees in his two seasons.
 
"My family and I are thrilled to join the Vandal football family," Fangupo said. "We look forward to embracing the spirit of unity and excellence that defines this program. We are dedicated to bringing a commitment to service, relentless effort, enthusiasm, and a whole lot of heart on and off the field. Go Vandals!"
 
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.
 
He and his wife Rebekah are the parents of six children; Tevita Taulanga Fangupo, Gideon Gary Fangupo, Mele Lavinia Fangupo, Koloa Tufui Fangupo, Sione Fuka O'Tupou Ahau Saulala Fangupo and  Leona Fangupo.

Idaho begins the first of 15 spring football practice Tuesday morning with the spring game set for April, 26.