BYU football running backs coach Harvey Unga has advantage of knowing his guys
BYU's Harvey Unga directs his players during spring camp in March, 2020.
BYU's Harvey Unga (center) directs his players during spring camp in March, 2020.
Former BYU running back Harvey Unga receives passes during a workout for NFL scouts at the BYU practice field Thursday, July 8, 2010. MARK JOHNSTON/Daily Herald
BYU's Harvey Unga (45) shakes fan's hands following the game against Air Force at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Nov. 21, 2009.
Harvey Unga (45) breaks away from an Arizona player during the game against Arizona Saturday, September 1, 2007 at BYU. Unga scored the first touchdown in the first quarter.
Brigham Young University linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) runs the ball during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University defensive back Chapman Beaird (43) runs with the ball while pursued by fellow defensive back Dimitri Gallow (15) during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University defensive back Chris Wilcox (32) talks with fellow defensive back D'Angelo Mandell (16) during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University head coach Kalani Sitake watches as quarterback Zach Wilson (1) throws the ball during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University defensive back Javelle Brown (10) makes a catch while guarded by fellow defensive back Keenan Ellis (30) and also while offensive lineman Mo Unutoa (68) runs against weighted bands during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University wide receiver Koy Harris (87) completes a catch while guarded by defensive back Mitchell Price (26) during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University quarterback Baylor Romney (16) watches as his pass is successfully caught by running back Lopini Katoa (4) during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University players prepare for a play during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University quarterback Jaren Hall (3) winds up a pass during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University linebacker Ben Bywater (33) watches as wide receiver Talmage Gunther (82) during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University tight end Hank Tuipulotu (32) jokes with wide receiver Brayden Cosper (85) during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University quarterback Zach Wilson (1) winds up a pass during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University head coach Kalani Sitake directs players during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University defensive back Troy Warner (4) runs with the ball after intercepting it during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University quarterback Zach Wilson (1) walks among his teammates during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University tight end Masen Wake (13) makes a catch while guarded by defensive back Isaiah Herron (11) during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University quarterback Zach Wilson (1) prepares a deep pass during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University wide receiver Koy Harris (87) makes a catch while guarded by defensive back D'Angelo Mandell (16) during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University quarterback Jaren Hall (3) winds up a pass during the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Brigham Young University head coach Kalani Sitake talks with his team at the end of the first day of BYU football’s spring camp held at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
BYU offensive line coach Eric Mateos said earlier this month that he feels like he is a lot further ahead of where he was last year because now he knows his players and the program a lot better than when he had just arrived from Texas State in 2019.
The latest official addition to the Cougar coaching staff, however, won’t have to go through that type of transition period.
Harvey Unga, who was announced as the new BYU running backs coach on Thursday, has already been working with his unit for the last few years as a graduate assistant.
“I came in and helped out as a student assistant for one season, then for the last four seasons of being a grad assistant with two very different offensive coaching styles, that has helped me a ton,” Unga said in a conference call on Thursday. “It helped me learn and grow as a coach. Building the relationships with the players over the years has been a huge thing for me. I feel like these guys trust me. They know how I coach. They seem to pick it up rather quickly when I teach them things.”
He said that after the announcement was made, he had many of the current BYU running backs reach out.
“Every one of them called me, like one after another,” Unga said. “It was awesome. They were saying congrats and that they were excited to keep going. They were ecstatic about it. These guys know I love them to death and that I’ll do anything for them. It was just cool to see the support and the love that those guys have. Hopefully I can live up to or exceed any expectation they have and I can prepare them for everything that comes their way.”
He acknowledged that he doesn’t come to the job with a lengthy coaching background but believes that he does know quite a bit about being a running back.
“I’ve had years and years of playing experience,” Unga said. “I’ve soaked everything in from my playing days from all the great coaches I’ve been around. Coaching a position that I’ve played at every level helps me out a ton. Players don’t necessarily make the best coaches but it does help out quite a bit. Those things have helped mold me into the right guy for this position.”
He said he feels like he’s ready to step into a more authoritarian role as opposed to being more in the background like he has been in the past.
“There was a point in time where some of the coaches may have thought I might have a tough time being the type of presence you need in a coach,” Unga said. “Growing up with a Polynesian background, I was always taught to respect the hierarchy. For me, I tried to be as careful as I could as far as when I chose to speak, just to make sure I was respectful of Coach AJ Steward. He was the running back coach and I respected him. Some of the other coaches may have seen that as me not talking a lot.”
He said Steward encouraged him to be an active participant in molding the BYU running backs.
“If I had suggestions, he would let the other coaches know that I was the one who brought things up,” Unga said. “He was that voice for me at the time. But I feel it is my time now. I can be the loud and vocal coach that some of these guys need. I’m not a super-loud person but there is a time and a place for that as a coach. Now I don’t have to be reserved with when I speak and what I want to say.”
He also is now going to be tackling the new challenges with regards to recruiting.
“Obviously recruiting is the lifeline of college football,” Unga said. “BYU is a unique place. I would love to go toe-to-toe against any in-state coach for anyone. I’ll recruit my butt off for whoever it is in-state. Being from here and understanding the state, I feel like I will do just fine. I can relate to the kids who live here. It’s about putting in the work, grinding it out and building the relationships.”
He said he feels he can relate to just about any potential Cougar running back because of his past experiences.
“I’ve seen the academic side, the Honor Code side and the football side, I’ve seen and dealt with the full spectrum,” Unga said. “It definitely helps me out as far as being transparent and telling recruits exactly how things are.”
He said one of the clear directives he got from BYU head coach Kalani Sitake is that his job goes beyond just helping athletes become better football players.
“It’s not only teaching these guys as far as football goes but also about life away from football,” Unga said. “It’s about helping them grow as young men and helping them succeed in life. That was something I’m grateful he talked about.”
The only BYU player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, Harvey Unga finished his collegiate career as the Cougars’ all-time leading rusher in 2009 with 3,455 rushing yards. Unga’s rushing record stood until 2016 when Jamaal Williams surpassed him in Unga’s first year as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff. Unga also helped in the development of All-American offensive lineman Tejan Koroma while working with BYU’s offensive line.
As a player, Unga earned Freshman All-America honors in 2007 after redshirting in 2006. He rushed for 1,227 yards to set the Mountain West Conference freshman record en route to winning MWC Freshman of the Year honors. With 655 receiving yards, his 1,840 all-purpose yards shattered the previous MWC record of 1,328 set in 2002.
In 2008, Unga ran for 1,132 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding four receiving scores and 309 yards. He earned Sophomore All-America Team honorable mention by College Football News. In his final season in 2009, Unga topped the 1,000-yard mark for the third time with 1,087 yards and another 11 touchdowns, earning his third consecutive MWC all-conference selection.
Unga concluded his college career with 3,455 rushing yards, 36 rushing touchdowns, 1,085 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. He is still No. 2 in career rushing yards at BYU, No. 2 in rushing attempts (696), No. 2 in total touchdowns (45), No. 5 in scoring (272) and No. 4 in all-purpose yards (4,540).
The former Timpview product played some of his best games in the biggest matchups. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry against ranked opponents and rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his three contests against rival Utah, totaling 61 carries, 373 yards and four touchdowns.
The Chicago Bears selected Unga in the 2010 NFL Supplemental Draft and he was with the Bears for parts of the 2010-13 seasons. He also signed with the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 before concluding his NFL career.
Unga earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation management from BYU in 2012 and will complete a master’s of public administration this year at the BYU Marriott School of Business. His wife, Keilani, played basketball at BYU and just completed her first season as an assistant basketball coach at Utah Valley University. They have four children, Jackson, Leila, Makai and Naomi.