The architect of the Corner Canyon juggernaut is the next guy up for Weber State.

The university has hired Kjar, one of the most successful high school coaches in the state’s history and across the country, to lead the football program. WSU announced Kjar’s hire Tuesday morning.

He’ll be introduced as head coach at a press conference in the late afternoon Tuesday.

“I’m very excited to be leading the Weber State football program,” Kjar said in a news release. “I believe strongly in the administration and the current roster and the talent in the state of Utah. I know we can build a championship-caliber program at Weber State, and I look forward to the challenge and getting started.”

Between nine seasons at Corner Canyon High School (2017-25) and eight at Jordan (2009-16), Kjar coached to a 181-39 (.823) record with seven state championships (Jordan 2012, Corner Canyon 2018-20, 2023-25), second-most in Utah preps history. His 48 consecutive wins from 2018-21 are the most in the state’s history by 11 games. His record at Corner Canyon finishes at 115-10.

Weber State athletic director Tim Crompton told the Standard-Examiner that more than 80 coaches applied for the job. The hiring committee interviewed 16 coaches and of those, five were brought to campus for visits and final interviews.

As is standard at the university, the hiring committee included Crompton, the vice president who oversees athletics in Mark Halvorsen (VP of administrative services), and WSU’s athletics faculty representative in Dr. Bryant Thompson, a business professor, among others.

The search firm College Sports Solutions was employed to assist with the candidate search. Crompton declined a request to name the five finalists at this time.

Kjar’s reputation as a leader and offensive guru at the high school level reached unimpeachable levels in his 17 seasons as a head coach; now, he gets an opportunity to lean into the learning curve and attempt to do it in Division I football with all the recruiting, NIL and more that comes with it.

“Coach Kjar is absolutely the right leader at the right time,” Crompton said in a news release. “His deep Utah roots, proven leadership, and unwavering ability to build a program on a foundation of talent and character are the precise qualities that Weber State is looking for to define our next era of football. Coach Kjar has the skill to recruit and retain student-athletes who will not only build a winning program but also exemplify the traits that define our institutional core values. We are confident his vision and leadership will elevate our entire program to sustained success.”

Among his list of quarterback mentorships, two first-round NFL draft picks headline Kjar’s tenure at Corner Canyon: Zach Wilson (for three years) and Jaxson Dart (for one year after his three at Roy). Kjar, 46, has also coached quarterbacks Isaac Wilson (Utah, in the transfer portal) and Devin Brown (Ohio State and Cal) to Power 4 college opportunities.

Before that, Kjar helped lead quarterback Austin Kafentzis to the greatest individual career in Utah high school history during the coach’s run at Jordan High School. From 2011-14, Kafentzis became Utah’s all-time career passer (12,929 yards) and rusher (6,749 yards) with 100 rushing touchdowns (first all-time), 37 100-yard rushing games (first), and 114 passing touchdowns (seventh).

Corner Canyon’s 2025 quarterback, Helaman Casuga, is a four-star prospect signed to Texas A&M.

“This is an exciting day not just for Weber State athletics, but for the entire institution and community,” Crompton said. “We want to thank the administration, the hiring committee, and the search firm College Sports Solutions for the many hours and dedicated effort put into this process. This search was exhaustive, and we are grateful for the thoroughness of all involved in securing the perfect leader for our future. We are incredibly excited to officially welcome Coach Kjar and his family into our city and the entire Wildcat family. We know he shares our values and look forward to the energy and commitment he will bring as a leader and a neighbor.”

Kjar’s son, Noah, was a sophomore for Weber State in 2025. The receiver played in three games before a season-ending knee injury. In 2024, he caught 16 passes for 200 yards for the season and logged a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown at Montana. Another son, Tate, has spent two seasons at Utah State with no recorded stats.

Kjar becomes the 13th head coach in Weber State football’s Division I history and would be the 12th to coach in a game. He replaces Mickey Mental, who was fired with two games left in his third season after a career 13-20 mark, including an 8-14 record in Big Sky play and 3-8 in home conference games.

Kjar is a native of Kemmerer, Wyoming. He played quarterback and receiver collegiately at Division II Wayne State in Nebraska.

Burrell steps down at American Leadership Academy

Lance Burrell, who became the head football coach at ALA three seasons ago, announced on social media on Tuesday he was resigning from his post.

Burrell posted a 10-23 overall mark for the Eagles, advancing to the 2A quarterfinals in 2024.

“Three years ago, I was looking for an opportunity to be a head coach, build a program and find a place that my family and I could call home,” Burrell wrote. “At the time I never could have imagined the amount of hard work, sacrifice and resiliency it would take to do this job and accomplish the things we have in our time here. It was a challenge I was so eager to take on, I can sincerely and honestly say I held nothing back and gave all I had to leave it better than I found it.”

Burrell thanked his assistant coaches and players, then wrote, “Eagle Nation and ALA community, the way you came together and took care of my family in the best of times and worst of times was something I’ll never have the capacity to repay.

“Today, I resign as the head coach at ALA. I do so with my head held high although I am not sure what comes next. I know that whatever it may be that I will do my best to serve teach and inspire those I am lucky to be around.”