LOGAN, Utah-Monday, Utah State football promoted Al Lapuaho as their new defensive line coach, per a release.

Lapuaho is in his fourth season with the Aggies’ program, having previously served as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant.

During his time with the program, three Aggies earned honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference honors: defensive end Adewale Adeoye, defensive tackle Fua Leilua and Christopher ‘Unga.

Lapuaho came to Logan from Oregon State, while he spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons with the Beavers primarily working with the defensive line.

In 2011 and 2012 at Utah State, Lapuaho amassed 4 sacks, 66 total tackles (16 solo stops), 7 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and one pass defense.

A graduate of Granger High School in West Valley City, Lapuaho signed an NFL free agent contract with the St. Louis Rams.  In 2013, he spent time on the practice squads of the Rams and Miami Dolphins.

Lapuaho also appeared on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2014 preseason roster.

The Aggies also brought in former standout DJ Tialavea as the program’s new tight ends coach.

Tialavea played both on the defensive line and at tight end for the Aggies from 2010-2013.

He posted 30 career receptions for 198 yards and five touchdowns for the Aggies during his days at Logan.

Tialavea played a key role in the Aggies winning the 2012 WAC championship as well as playing in three consecutive bowl games.

Tialavea played in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, catching one pass for a touchdown in 2016. He also spent time on the Chicago Bears’ practice squad as well as Atlanta’s during his pro career.

He is a 2013 graduate of Utah State, earning a sports management degree, and also earned a master’s degree at Utah State in 2019.