Years at BYU
2009-15, 2022-present
Years Overall
2009-present
Coaching Experience
- 2022-present special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach
- 2022 Boise State co-special teams coordinator and edge position coach
- 2018-21 Virginia co-defensive coordinator and edge position coach
- 2016-17 Virginia special teams coordinator coach
- 2016-20 Virginia outside linebacker coach; 2021 linebacker coach
- 2013-15 BYU special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach
- 2011-12 BYU outside linebackers coach
- 2010 BYU defensive graduate assistant and interim outside linebacker coach
- 2009 BYU defensive intern
Bowl Games Coached
- Virginia: Capital One Orange (2019), Belk (2018), Military (2017)
- BYU: New Mexico (2010), Armed Forces (2011), Poinsettia (2012), Fight Hunger (2013), Miami Beach (2014), Las Vegas (2015)
Coaching Notes at BYU
- Coached Kyle Van Noy who was drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Lions, and has won two Super Bowls with the Patriots
- Coached Fred Warner who was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, now widely considered one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL
- Coached Sione Takitaki (Cleveland Browns), Alani Fua (Arizona Cardinals) and Spencer Hadley (New Orleans Saints/Oakland Raider) who played in the NFL
- Helped BYU rank No. 3 in total defense (266.1 ypg allowed) and in top 10 of six defensive categories in 2012
- Helped BYU to rank No. 13 in overall defense, No. 19 in rushing defense and No. 22 in scoring defense in 2011
- Helped BYU rank No. 24 in total defense in 2010
- Helped coach the Cougars to win in the 2010 New Mexico Bowl, the 2011 Armed Forces Bowl and the 2012 Poinsettia Bowl
BYU Playing Career
- An All-MWC and Academic All-MWC as a linebacker at BYU from 2006-07
- Led the Cougars with 113 tackles his senior year
- Helped BYU win back-to-back conference championships in 2006 and 2007
- Played in the NFL in 2008, seeing time on three teams before going to the Super Bowl XLIII with the Arizona Cardinals
Education
- BYU (2007, B.A. Exercise Science)
- BYU (December 2010, M.A. Exercise Science)
Hometown
Evanston, Wyo.
Mission
Ecuador
Personal/Family
- Wife, Rebekah Meier
- Has three daughters
- Brother Brady played football at BYU from 2001-04 and played in the NFL
- Parents are Dennis and Vicki Poppinga
- Father played tight end at BYU from 1968-1971