Upcoming Event: Football versus No. 17 Texas Tech on September 20, 2025 at 10 a.m.
10 a.m.
Football
vs No. 17 Texas Tech
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Football
Ena, Justin
Justin Ena
- Title:
- Linebackers/Co-Special Teams Coordinator
- Email:
- jena@huntsman.utah.edu
Linebackers
Co-Special Teams Coordinator
4th Year
Coaching Experience
| 2015- | Utah | |
| 2016- | Linebackers/Co-Special Teams Coordinator | |
| 2015 | Linebackers | |
| 2014 | Weber State | |
| Defensive Coordinator | ||
| Linebackers | ||
| 2008-13 | Southern Utah | |
| 2010-13 | Defensive Coordinator | |
| Linebackers | ||
| 2008-09 | Special Teams Coordinator | |
Bowl Games
2017 Heart of Dallas Bowl
2016 Foster Farms Bowl
2015 Las Vegas Bowl
Both areas have thrived under his leadership. The linebackers have helped Utah rank in the top 30 in rushing defense for the last three seasons, including a No. 6 ranking in 2015. His coverage units played a role in Utah winning the NCAA net punting title in 2016 while the 2017 Utes finished fifth in the nation in net punting.
Linebackers Gionni Paul (first team) and Jared Norris (second team) earned 2015 All-Pac-12 honors in Ena’s first season with the Utes. Paul led the Utes in tackles with 117 and was a two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week as a senior. Norris is preparing for his third season as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers.
Ena is in his 10th year coaching in college after a four-year NFL career with Philadelphia and Tennessee from 2002-05. Prior to Utah, he was the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at Weber State in 2014 and a six-year assistant at Southern Utah from 2008-13—the last four as the defensive coordinator. He was SUU’s special teams coordinator his first two seasons.
Southern Utah achieved NCAA FCS top-25 national rankings on both special teams and defense with Ena as a coordinator, 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 No. 21 in 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.
The 2013 T-birds finished second in the Big Sky Conference in total defense and third in scoring defense.
Individual honors during Ena’s time at SUU included two-year 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 the Big Sky’s Newcomer of the Year in 2012.
The Thunderbirds placed 12 defenders on the all-Great West Conference team from 2010-11, including 10 first-team selections. Tyler Osborne became SUU’s first GWC Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.
Playing Career
As an undergraduate at BYU, Ena was a three-year starter and three-time Mountain West all-conference linebacker. He played four seasons in the NFL, three with the Philadelphia Eagles and one with the Tennessee Titans, playing in 47 NFL games.
Education
Brigham Young, 2001
Bachelor’s in history
Personal Data
Hometown: Shelton, Wash.
Birthdate: Nov. 20, 1977
Family: Wife Dana. Son Justice, daughter Olivia
Utah: 31, Wyoming: 6 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Sunday, September 14
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Keith Kelley, voice of the Wyoming Cowboys
Tuesday, September 09
Ute greats Ron McBride and Roy Jefferson Ring of Honor Induction
Monday, September 08
Utah: 63, Cal Poly: 9 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Saturday, September 06
