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LOGAN — The hits keep coming for Utah State football this offseason.
Utah State assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda has been hired as a safeties coach for the Cleveland Browns, ESPN reported on Tuesday morning and was later confirmed by KSL.com.
Banda's departure comes 11 days after his announced promotion to Utah State associate head coach and three days after former Aggies offensive coordinator Anthony Tucker was hired as co-offensive coordinator at Indiana.
Tucker's departure was expected. Head coach Blake Anderson promised changes to the offense, and Tucker left the program prior to being hired by Indiana.
Banda's departure, however, was not expected. Anderson opted this offseason to take a more hands-on approach with the offensive play-calling and elicited greater leadership responsibility from Banda. His departure comes three weeks before the Aggies were expected to begin spring ball on March 13 — a date that has since been pushed back to March 20 to help with the change.
Banda was, undoubtedly, a key leader in the program and was considered by many to be destined for a head coaching position. His defensive schemes and ability to motivate players helped Utah State's defense punch above its weight week in and week out.
In two season's as Utah State's defensive coordinator, Banda utilized the Aggies' speed and athleticism to create chaos. He led the Aggies to a third-place finish nationally in tackles for loss in 2021 and 11th in 2022. The defense's effort played a large role in the Aggies nabbing the Mountain West championship and bowl win over Oregon State in 2021.
While the offense struggled to score points in 2022, the Aggies' defense went through a season-long attrition and held opponents to 24.3 points per game in Utah State's six wins. Banda, who joined Anderson's staff from Miami two years ago, was also instrumental in the recruiting process of both transfers and high school graduates.
With the announced transfers of defensive ends Byron Vaughns, Daniel Grezsiak and Patrick Joyner, and defensive tackles Tavion Coleman and Phil Paea this offseason, several question remain for Utah State's defense as the team prepares for spring ball.
Other coaching changes this offseason:
- Feb 19: Wide receivers coach Kyle Cefalo was promoted to co-offensive coordinator, and Sam Houston State's Cooper Bassett was hired as offensive line coach. The moves were first reported by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic.
- Feb 16: Aggies O-line coach Micah James was hired by Tennessee.
- Feb 9: Utah State announced the hiring of Tevita Finau as a defensive tackles coach and an additional defensive staff position to aid the group.
