SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah defensive lineman and NFL star Sione Po’uha is joining Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham’s staff.

Welcome home, @Pouha91!#UBoyz https://t.co/i0jW4nn9XP pic.twitter.com/8SCCbL4QZi

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 10, 2018

Po’uha, who was a first-team all-Mountain West Conference defensive lineman during Utah’s undefeated 2004 season, will fill the void left by Gary Andersen’s departure as the Utes’ defensive tackles coach.

“It’s great to have Sione back in our program,” said Whittingham. “In his playing days he was an outstanding defensive tackle here at Utah and had a lengthy and successful NFL career as well.  We are also excited about the impact he will have in our recruiting.”

Following his career at Utah, Po’uha was drafted in the third round by the New York Jets in the 2005 NFL Draft. He played in 106 games from 2005 to 2013. He worked as a student-assistant coach and then as director of football player development at Utah after his NFL playing days before leaving for his first full-time coaching gig at Navy.