How BYU's Harvey Unga went from star running back to running backs coach

After their cleats are hung up, jerseys are washed, and they walk off the field for the very last time, many athletes dream of staying a part of the sport that gave them so much.

This dream became a reality for former player Harvey Unga, now the running backs coach at BYU, but maybe not in the way he expected.

Unga played for BYU from 2006 to 2009, being the only player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. He is No. 2 in career rushing yards, No. 2 in rushing attempts, and No. 2 in total touchdowns at BYU.

In 2010, he was drafted in the NFL supplemental draft by the Chicago Bears, where he spent parts of the 2010-2013 seasons before signing with the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014, concluding his NFL career.

After two years of retirement as a player, Unga returned to BYU in 2016 as a graduate assistant.

“I’m not gonna lie, it was tough. It was an eye-opener into the coaching world and not what I anticipated, especially being a little older," Unga said. "Typically, GAs are guys that just finished playing. By the time I started, I had been removed from playing here for a long time."

Unga was married to his wife, Keilani, and was a father by this time, making the long hours and challenges of being a graduate assistant a little more difficult.

“It was different. It was good though. I am grateful I got to do it,” Unga said. “At first, I didn’t know how this was gonna pan out, but without Keilani’s support and my family's support, I wouldn’t be where I am.”

Unga remained a graduate assistant until 2020, when he was hired as the Cougars' running backs coach.

“Good things don’t come easy,” Unga said.

Unga has coached many BYU legends, such as current NFL tailback Jamaal Williams and All-American Tyler Allgeier, who currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons.

“Just being able to teach these guys has been the biggest joy,” Unga said.

Unga will be going into his fifth season as the running backs coach for the Cougars, coaching players such as current running back LJ Martin, who finished with 718 yards during the 2024, during which BYU finished with an 11-2 record.