Uani ‘Unga (Wah-knee Oo-nga) is entering his second season as part of Utah State’s staff, and first year as a full-time assistant, after serving as a defensive administrative assistant for the Aggies in 2017. As a full-time assistant, ‘Unga will coach the outside linebackers this fall.
During the 2017 season, ‘Unga helped Utah State to its sixth bowl game in the past seven seasons, playing in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.
As Utah State’s defensive administrative assistant in 2017, ‘Unga assisted the defensive coaches with daily football operations, primarily working with the linebackers and special teams.
During the 2017 season, ‘Unga helped coach a Utah State defense that allowed just 182.5 passing yards per game, which ranked fourth in the Mountain West and 19th nationally. USU also ranked second in the conference and 24th in the nation in 2017 in passing efficiency defense (116.6).
Furthermore, Utah State ranked sixth in the nation with 29 forced turnovers last season, which included ranking tied for second nationally with its 16 forced fumbles, and ranked fourth in the nation with five defensive touchdowns.
‘Unga came to Utah State after spending the 2016 football season as a volunteer coach at Orem (Utah) High School, working with the linebackers and special teams.
‘Unga began his collegiate career at Oregon State (2009-10) before transferring to BYU, where he redshirted in 2011 and then played in 2012 and 2013. As a senior, he led the nation with 143 tackles (62-solo, 81-assist). During his two-year BYU career, he recorded 171 tackles (78-solo, 93-assist), which included 1.0 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, while adding three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception, to go along with four pass breakups and one quarterback hurry.
Following his collegiate career, ‘Unga signed an NFL free agent contract with the New York Giants and spent three seasons with the franchise. He made his first career start in the NFL against the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 and intercepted a Tony Romo pass during the game. Against the Cowboys, he played every defensive snap (72) and led the team in tackles (12).
‘Unga has two older brothers who also played college football as Paul was a defensive end at Arizona State and J.J. was an offensive guard at Midwestern State. He also has a twin brother, Feti, who played linebacker at Oregon State, while his younger brother, Metuisela, plays tight end at Hawaii, and his other younger brother, Chris, plays nose guard for Utah State.
‘Unga graduated from BYU in 2015 with a degree in American Studies of Humanities. During high school, he spent two years at Etiwanda HS in California and two years at Kahuku HS in Hawaii. Following high school, he served a two-year LDS Church Mission in Guatemala from 2007-09.
‘Unga and his wife, Lachelle, have two daughters, Vikatolia and ‘Ofa, and three sons, Kingston, Jon and Apaiata.