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PROVO — On the day before National Signing Day, BYU hired a new coach.
No, not a new head coach or offensive coordinator. The Cougars finally announced their NCAA-allowed 10th assistant coach.
Former Rice running backs coach AJ Steward will join new coordinator Jeff Grimes’ inaugural staff in Provo, BYU announced Tuesday, bringing to a close a long search that cycled through multiple candidates.
“AJ Is known as an excellent recruiter and for his ability to develop players,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said in a team statement. “He has done great things as a running backs coach and brings unique experience from an outstanding academic school, which helps him understand one of the important focuses we have here at BYU. I'm excited to welcome AJ to our coaching staff.”
Despite it being slowly leaked out through various reports and interviews, the Cougars also finalized Grimes’ offensive assistant staff Tuesday. Former Utah co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick will act as passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach; former Weber State offensive coordinator Fesi Sitake — a standout wide receiver at Southern Utah — will serve as receivers coach; and new assistant Ryan Pugh will handle offensive line duties, as officially announced Tuesday.
Steve Clark was retained as tight ends coach, a position he’s held for two seasons at BYU.
Welcome to BYU Football Coach Steward!!#BYUFOOTBALL#GoCougspic.twitter.com/g2t5qL5OZv
— BYU Football (@BYUfootball) February 6, 2018
The 28-year-old Kansas grad spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Rice before being promoted to running backs coach in 2014. During his tenure, the Owls ranked 38th nationally with 187 rushing yards per game in 2017. Known as a ground-heavy offense, the Owls were second in Conference USA, often with as many as four running backs who ran for 100 yards in a game.
A former dual-threat quarterback who was a three-star recruit at KU, Steward also played wide receiver in college before switching to tight end. He was the scout team quarterback for the Jayhawks squad that finished 12-1 and ranked No. 7 nationally with a win in the 2007-08 Orange Bowl.
Steward also helped the Jayhawks to a win in the 2008 Insight Bowl the following season.
New offensive staff
