Utah State hires Dave Ungerer as RB/special teams coach

Utah State has found the last major piece of its football coaching staff for next year, announcing the hire of running backs and special teams coach Dave Ungerer on Monday afternoon.

Nearly three months after he was elevated to head coach, Matt Wells now has his coaching staff completed. And Ungerer brings 26 years of experience to Logan, including stints at Washington State, Oregon State, Alabama and Cal.

"I have been very impressed by Coach Wells and his organizational plan to continue to take Utah State up the ladder as far as college football teams are concerned," Ungerer said in a school news release. "I am very impressed with Logan, Cache Valley and Utah State University and anxious to get started."

Ungerer joins the staff after taking some time off for 2012 season to battle cancer. He most recently coached with Washington State, where he coached the No. 1-ranked kickoff coverage unit in the nation in 2010.

Throughout the last decade, Ungerer has also been at Elon (2009), Oregon State (2007-08), Alabama (2003-06), and California (2002) as a special teams and position coach.

The expectations are high for Ungerer: Utah State has become a running back factory in the last two seasons, producing NFL backs Robert Turbin and Michael Smith. Kerwynn Williams is expected to be drafted into the NFL this April after ranking No. 13 in the FBS in rushing yards per game.

Utah State had the No. 14 punt return coverage unit and the No. 52 kicking coverage unit in the FBS last season.

— Kyle Goon

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon