LARAMIE — Wyoming’s next defensive coordinator is coming from within.
Jake Dickert has been promoted to replace Scottie Hazelton, who left last week to take the same position at Kansas State after two seasons as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Dickert spent the last two seasons coaching Wyoming’s safeties.
Dickert coordinated defenses at Division II members Augustana and Minnesota State-Mankato from 2013-15 before joining Wyoming’s staff in 2016. His defenses at Minnesota State-Mankato in 2014 and 2015 helped the Mavericks make the playoffs both seasons and advance to the Division II national championship game in 2014.
He spent the last two seasons helping develop three-time first-team All-Mountain West selection Andrew Wingard and Marcus Epps, who started more than 40 consecutive games alongside each other on the back end of Wyoming’s defense. Dickert is entering his sixth season as a member of Wyoming coach Craig Bohl’s staff after coaching with Bohl at North Dakota State from 2008-10.
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He’ll take over a defense that finished in the top 30 nationally in several statistical categories last season, including points allowed (22 points per game), rush defense (129.5) and total defense (326.2), but is losing five starters and two of its top three tacklers.
“The last two years, Jake has demonstrated a great ability to relate to players and get them to play at a really high level,” Bohl said in a statement. “He has also demonstrated a broad understanding of the game that will enable him to coordinate a complete defense. This will be an exciting time for him and for our defense. I’ve known and worked with Jake for many years here at Wyoming and at North Dakota State. He has coordinated defenses before and has had great success.”
The move came as part of two staff promotions announced Tuesday by Bohl. Defensive ends coach A.J. Cooper will be the defensive run-game coordinator next season in addition to continuing his duties as special teams coordinator.
It will be the sixth season on Wyoming’s staff for Cooper, who’s coached all-MW performers Eddie Yarbrough and Carl Granderson during his time with the Cowboys.
“A.J. has done a phenomenal job with our defensive front,” Bohl said in a statement. “Any time you are going to play great defense, you have to be great up front. His understanding of our schemes and his experience is invaluable. We’re going to lean on him more this coming season.”
With Dickert’s promotion, Bohl has one vacancy left on his staff. He announced the hiring of former East Carolina assistant Shannon Moore as the Cowboys’ tight ends and fullbacks coach earlier in the day while former Colorado assistant Klayton Adams was hired to replace Scott Fuchs as offensive line coach on Jan. 11.