New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day weren’t filled with celebration and football-watching for new BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga, who was still the school’s special teams coordinator and edge rushers coach when the calendar flipped from 2025 to 2026. Gilford has been replaced by former Southern Utah coach Demario Warren, who was Boise State’s cornerbacks coach from 2022-25 and special teams coordinator in 2023. “I mean, I have just learned so much, but the base of the defense will be what it’s been. AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementCoupled with the returns of Isaiah Glasker, Siale Esera and Nusi Taumoepeau, linebacker should again be the strength of the BYU defense. Another safety who is moving on, Talan Alfrey, became a great special teams player and will also be missed.