Utah defensive tackles coach Sione Po’uha retires

Sione Po’uha coaches throughout a apply at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake Metropolis on Friday, April 5, 2019.

Laura Seitz, Deseret Information

Utah defensive tackles coach Sione Po’uha has introduced that he's retiring from teaching.

Po’uha coached the defensive tackles at Utah for the final three seasons, beginning within the 2019 season. Previous to Utah, he was the defensive tackles coach for Navy, beneath head coach Ken Niumatalolo. Po’uha additionally was the director of participant personnel for Utah in 2017 and was a pupil assistant at Utah in the course of the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Below Po’uha’s watch, Utah despatched two defensive tackles to the NFL — Leki Fotu and John Penisini, who had been each drafted in 2020.

Po’uha performed on Utah’s defensive position from 2001-2004. In 2004, Utah went undefeated and busted the BCS, capping off an ideal season with a win over Pittsburgh within the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. He had 36 tackles and an interception within the 2004 season.

Thanks, Coach @Pouha91! Perpetually a Ute.

Examine his retirement right here: https://t.co/OFymTwCB5cpic.twitter.com/KccJ1gQvWE

— Utah Soccer (@Utah_Football) January 11, 2022

Po’uha, who went to East Excessive College, was drafted within the third spherical of the 2005 NFL draft by the New York Jets. Po’uha spent seven seasons with the Jets, totaling 263 tackles over his profession.

Utah now has two spots to fill on its teaching employees after Po’uha’s retirement and the departure of working backs coach Kiel McDonald to USC.