Former NFL linebacker Justin Ena joins the Aztec coaching staff this season and will oversee the defensive line.
Previous Experience
- A 14-year collegiate coaching veteran, Ena arrives on The Mesa after spending the 2021 campaign as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Dixie State (now Utah Tech).
- Coached the inside linebackers for two years at Utah State in 2019-20, including a stint as defensive coordinator during his first season, helping the Aggies to a berth in the 2019 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Bowl.
- Served as linebackers coach at Utah from 2015-18, adding co-special teams coordinator duties over his final three seasons.
- During his tenure on the Salt Lake City campus, Ena was part of a Utes program that made three bowl appearances - Las Vegas Bowl (2015), Foster Farms Bowl (2016) and Heart of Dallas Bowl (2017).
- With Ena’s assistance, Utah’s rushing defense finished among the nation’s top 30 in each of his four years, including a No. 5 ranking in 2018 and a No. 6 standing in 2015.
- In 2018, Ute linebacker Chase Hansen earned three All-America honors (TSN, FWAA, Phil Steele, Athletic) under Ena’s guidance after posting a team-high 114 tackles, including 22.0 for a loss, which led the Pac-12 and ranked fifth nationally.
- Hansen also garnered first-team all-Pac-12 accolades that season, while fellow linebacker Cody Barton received all-conference honorable mention and was a third-round selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2019 NFL Draft.
- In addtion, linebackers Gionni Paul (first team) and Jared Norris (second team) merited all-Pac-12 distinction in Ena’s first season with Utah in 2015. Paul led the Utes with 117 tackles and was a two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week as a senior, while Norris played five years in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers (2016-18) and Washington Football Team (2020-21).
- As co-special teams coordinator at Utah, Ena’s coverage units played a role in the Utes winning the NCAA net punting title in 2016, while the 2017 team was fifth nationally in net punting followed by the 2018 squad, which ranked 15th.
- Individually, Utah had a pair of kickers earn All-America honors in Ena’s tenure as co-special teams coordinator, including punter Mitch Wishnowsky (2016-18) and kicker Matt Gay (2017-18). Wishnowsky captured the Ray Guy Award in 2017, while Gay took home the Lou Groza Award in 2018.
- Served as Weber State’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2014 after completing s six-year stint as an assistant at Southern Utah from 2008-13, including the last four as the defensive coordinator. He was also SUU’s special teams coordinator his first two seasons.
- With Ena as a coordinator, Southern Utah attained NCAA FCS top 25 national rankings on both special teams and defense during his tenure, including a No. 1 rank in net punting in 2009. The Thunderbirds also ranked No. 3 in punt return average and No. 6 in net punting in 2008, No. 9 in punt return average in 2009, No. 17 in scoring defense, No. 21 in total defense and run defense in 2010, No. 13 in sacks per game and No. 19 in pass defense in 2011 and No. 5 in turnover margin in 2012.
- Under Ena’s guidance, SUU ranked second in the Big Sky Conference in 2013 in total defense while occupying the third spot in scoring defense.
- Individual honors during Ena’s time at Southern Utah featured two-time All-America punter Trevor Ward and return specialist Nick Miller, the nation’s leader in all-purpose yards in 2008. Other accolades went to All-America defensive tackle Cody Larsen and Freshman All-Americans Zak Browning (linebacker) and James Cowser (defensive end). Browning was also the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year in 2012.
Collegiate Playing Experience
- Ena was a four-year starter at Brigham Young from 1998-2001, garnering all-Mountain West accolades over his final three seasons at linebacker.
- Competed in the 2002 Senior Bowl following his final collegiate season.
- Led the Cougars with in tackles for two straight seasons in 2000 and 2001, earning first-team all-MW honors after receiving second-team recognition in 1999.
Professional Playing Experience
- Joined the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2002.
- Signed with the Tennessee Titans in time for the 2004 campaign. Played in all 16 games with five starts, finishing with 32 tackles, including four for loss, as well as a pass defended.
Education
- Received his bachelor’s degree in history from Brigham Young in 2001.
Personal
- Ena and his wife Shari have two children, son Justice and daughter Olivia.
- His uncle, Tali Ena, played fullback at Washington State and was selected in the 11th round of the 1980 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.