LOGAN, Utah – Utah State alumnus and former assistant coach D.J. Tialavea (Tee-al-uh-vay-uh) has been named Utah State's senior offensive analyst and assistant offensive line coach it was announced Tuesday by second-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
Tialavea previously spent five years on Utah State's coaching staff as he served as the tight ends coach for four years from 2021-24 and served as an offensive graduate assistant coaching the tight ends during the 2020 campaign. Tialavea was also a four-year letter winner for the Aggies from 2010-13 and spent four years in the NFL.
"D.J. is a great addition to our staff, bringing valuable recruiting experience, strong in-state relationships, and NFL playing experience that will be instrumental as we continue to build our program," said Mendenhall. "As an alumnus, he embraces what it means to be an Aggie, and his character, work ethic, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our culture, our standards, and the way we represent Utah State Football."
Tialavea comes back to Utah State after spending the 2025 season as the tight ends coach at Oklahoma State.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return to Utah State and be part of what Coach Mendenhall and the staff are building," said Tialavea. "USU has always meant a lot to me, and it's exciting to come back and contribute to the program during such an important time. I'm looking forward to getting to work and helping our players and staff in any way I can."
In 2024, Tialavea coached three of USU's tight ends to each record double-digit catches, more than 130 receiving yards and at least one receiving touchdown. His efforts helped make USU one of just two FBS teams to finish the regular season with three tight ends to each record more than 100 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.
He helped the 2023 Aggies reach six wins and an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. He also coached Broc Lane to honorable mention All-Mountain West honors. Overall, USU's three tight ends caught 24 passes for 222 yards and one touchdown. USU finished the 2023 season 25th in the nation in total offense (438.6 ypg), 26th in scoring offense (33.2 ppg), 30th in rushing offense (184.4 ypg) and 43rd in passing offense (254.2 ypg).
During the 2022 campaign, Tialavea helped Utah State to six wins and an appearance in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. USU also tied for second place in the Mountain Division of the MW with a 5-3 mark. Under Tialavea, Utah State had three tight ends combine to catch 19 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2021, Utah State had its best season in school history as it tied the school record with 11 wins (11-3), won its first-ever MW Championship with a 46-13 road win at No. 19 San Diego State, posted a 24-13 win against Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl and finished the season ranked 24th in the nation in both polls.
Utah State's offense set six school records during the 2021 campaign, including 41 touchdown passes, 4,248 passing yards and three receivers with 10-plus touchdown receptions. USU's offense also tied a pair of school records with 13 100-yard receiving games and five passing touchdowns in a single game. Under Tialavea, Utah State had two tight ends combine to catch 15 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, Utah State's offense produced over 600 yards of total offense twice, and over 400 passing yards three times, all of which rank among the top 16 performances in school history.
Utah State finished the 2021 season ranked 15th in the nation in passing offense (303.4 ypg), 23rd in total offense (445.6 ypg), and 33rd in scoring offense (32.6 ppg). USU was also the only team in the nation with at least 10 touchdown receptions by three players.
During the 2020 season, Tialavea coached a tight ends group that had three players combine for 73 yards on 10 receptions and one touchdown in USU's shortened six-game campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tialavea was a four-year letter winner (2010-13) and three-year captain for Utah State along the defensive line and at tight end, helping the Aggies to three-straight bowl games and the 2012 Western Athletic Conference title. He appeared in 40 games with 17 starts and caught 30 passes for 198 yards and five touchdowns. He also earned academic All-Mountain West honors following his senior season.
Following his collegiate career, Tialavea spent four years (2014-17) in the NFL. Originally signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent, he also spent time with Buffalo in 2014 before joining Atlanta's practice squad in 2015. He spent two seasons with the Falcons before the Chicago Bears signed him to their practice squad in 2017. On Dec. 24, 2016, Tialavea made his official NFL debut in the Falcons' 33-16 win at Carolina, a game in which he caught a 1-yard touchdown pass.
Tialavea graduated from Utah State with a sports management degree in 2013. He later earned his master's degree in education from USU in 2019. In 2014, he received the Utah State Courage Award.
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