Idaho State’s new Defensive Coordinator brings 11 years experience with winning program
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POCATELLO — The Idaho State University football team has announced the hiring of a new defensive coordinator.
According to a press release from the university’s athletics department, Grant Duff will take the position following 11 seasons with Weber State.
“Grant is a proven leader and defensive mind with a track record of success at the highest levels of FCS football,” ISU Athletic Director Pauline Thiros said in the release. “His experience, passion for the game, Idaho roots and most importantly his values — align perfectly with our vision for Idaho State Football. Coach Duff will have an immediate impact on our student-athletes, recruiting, and our program as a whole.”
In his 11 seasons with Weber State, Duff aided the Wildcats to nine-straight winning seasons, four Big Sky Conference championships and six FCS Playoff berths. His most recent position on the Weber State staff was that of Defensive Line Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator, but he has also filled the positions of linebackers coach and special teams coach.
Before assuming his role with Weber State, Duff served as a graduate-assistant coach with the University of Utah football team — and was part of the Utes’ 2009 Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama.
“I am both honored and excited to join Coach Cody Hawkins and the Idaho State family,” Duff says in the release. “Coach Hawkins is one of the best in the business and I am humbled to be able to work with him and his staff. I look forward to jumping in immediately and working tirelessly to make the students, alumni and community proud of Idaho State Football. The opportunity for myself and my family to return home to Eastern Idaho has us excited beyond words.”
Duff is a Blackfoot native and a 2009 graduate of BYU-Idaho.
He will replace Josh Runda, who served as Bengals Defensive Coordinator for the past two seasons but left his position after ISU allowed 77 points at Eastern Washington on Nov. 16.
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ISU Head Coach Cody Hawkins called the decision to hire Duff a “no-brainer.”
“Grant Duff was the first call I made when I was hired here at Idaho State,” Hawkins said in the release. “While I wasn’t able to convince him then, now the time is right for he and his wife, Lyndi, to come home! He is one of the best people in the business and has a proven track record of winning championships as a defensive play-caller in our conference.”
The Bengals finished the 2024 season with a 5-7 record (3-5 in conference). Defensively, they were second-to-last in the Big Sky Conference, allowing 37.8 points per game. Weber State finished sixth in the same conference, surrendering 27.8 points per game.