BYU’s New Defensive Coordinator Aims for ‘Havoc’ with Focus Beyond Sacks
BYU's new defensive coordinator, Kelly Poppinga, aims to bring 'havoc' to the team's defense. While acknowledging sacks are an important statistic, Poppinga emphasizes that they are a result of various factors and not the sole measure of defensive success. He…
Salt Lake City, UT, August 2, 2026 —
BYU’s new defensive coordinator, Kelly Poppinga, has outlined his vision for the team’s defense, emphasizing a strategy he describes as bringing ‘havoc’ to opposing offenses. Poppinga, who recently joined the coaching staff, stated his objectives for the upcoming season.
While acknowledging the importance of sacks as a key defensive statistic, Poppinga stressed that this number is not the only indicator of a successful defense. He believes sacks are often a byproduct of a comprehensive defensive effort, involving pressure, coverage, and discipline across the unit. Poppinga indicated that focusing solely on sacks might overlook other crucial aspects of defensive performance that contribute to overall team success.
Looking ahead to the season, Poppinga expressed confidence in the team’s current talent pool. He set a goal for the defense to achieve 30 or more sacks during the season. This target aligns with the performance of the previous year’s defense under former defensive coordinator Jay Hill, which also recorded a similar sack total.
Poppinga’s approach suggests a strategic emphasis on creating disruption and turnovers, aiming for a defense that is consistently impactful. The specific methods and schemes to achieve this ‘havoc’ are expected to be developed as the team progresses through its training and preparation for the season. Further details on the defensive strategy are anticipated as the season draws closer.
Story summarized from the original created by Dick Harmon on www.deseret.com, see more information here.
