Responsibilities
Defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach
Years at BYU
- Coach: 2016-present
- Player: 1999-03
Education
- Whittier College (2014, M.A. Education)
- BYU (2004, B.A. Sociology)
- Westchester HS
Years Overall Coaching
2012-present
Coaching Experience
- BYU, Defensive Passing Game Coordinator (2025-present) Cornerbacks Coach (2016-present)
- Southern Utah, Secondary Coach (2014-15)
- Whittier College, Graduate Assistant, Cornerbacks & Special Teams (2012-13)
Coaching Career Highlights
- The Cougars had 12 different players record interceptions in 2024, more than any other team in the FBS, while BYU created 29 total turnovers, which tied for No. 3 nationally
- Seven interceptions in 2024 came from cornerbacks, including three more from Jakob Robinson to give him 11 for his career to rank No. 2 at BYU since 2000
- Helped BYU rank No. 19 in passes defended with 68 total (PBU + INT) in 2024
- In 2024 BYU's defense had a pass efficiency rating of just 105.91, the lowest in the Big 12 and No. 3 nationally
- Pass defense in 2024 surrendered just 182.5 yards per game through the air to rank No. 20 nationally, the best in the Big 12
- In BYU’s first year in the Big 12 in 2023, helped the Cougars finish the year ranked No. 20 in interceptions with 14
- In 2023, had two players ranked in the top 20 in interceptions, with cornerback Eddie Heckard leading the team with 5, good for No. 6 nationally, while his teammate in the secondary Jakob Robinson had four of his own
- Heckard earned All-Big 12 honorable mentions for Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year
- Robinson earned Freshman All-America (2021), a Jim Thorpe Semifinalist (2023), All-Big 12 honorable mention (2023) and All-Big 12 Second Team (2024)
- Had All-Independent selections at corner in Dayan Ghanwoloku (2017, 19), Chris Wilcox (2020), Kaleb Hayes (2021) during BYU's time as an independent
- Coached NFL corner Michael Davis in his senior season in 2016. Davis has played eight seasons in the NFL to date.
- SUU’s defense racked up 20 interceptions, good for No. 3 in the FCS in 2015, limiting opposing teams to just a 102.5 pass efficiency rating, ranking No. 9, an improvement over being ranked 111th the previous year
- T-birds gave up just 190.3 yards per game through the air and just 20.8 points per game, ranking 30th and 24th in the FCS, respectively in 2015
- Coached two Big Sky All-Conference first teamers in cornerback LeShaun Sims and safety Miles Killebrew in 2015, and both are projected NFL players as late-round 2016 NFL Draft picks by CBS Sports. Killebrew was selected to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl while Sims recently participated in the East-West Shrine game.
- Helped cornerbacks Tyquion Ballad and Josh Pride earn all-conference honors at Whittier College
Playing Career
- All-Mountain West Conference honoree
- Played in 37 games at corner for BYU with 28 starts, totaling 10 interceptions in his career with his best year in 2001 when he earned first-team All-MWC honors and started all 14 games including the Liberty Bowl against No. 22 Louisville
- Totaled 56 tackles and led the team with six picks, returning them 131 yards, including a 50-yard interception return against Utah to seal BYU’s 24-21 victory in 2001
- In 2001, his six interceptions ranked tied for No. 6 in the nation
- Entered his junior season with preseason All-America accolades and was named the 15th-best corner by Phil Steele but was slowed by a knee injury, limiting him to seven games
- Finished his senior year starting all 12 games, recording two interceptions and a team-leading six pass breakups
Hometown
Hawthorne, Calif.
Personal/Family
Wife is Brittany, they have a son, Jernaro Jr. and daughter, Jru