By Jeff Bugher
8/11/2024
Laramie, Wyo.- The Wyoming defensive coordinator position is entering a new era with Aaron Bohl (son of retired Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl) at the reigns. The path for Aaron to become the defensive coordinator was the culmination of his father's retirement following the 2023 season and the movement of Jay Sawvel to the head coach position. I had the opportunity to interview Aaron to discuss all things defense. Aaron is no stranger to UW Football program: he began his career as a GA from '17-'18 and was the linebacker position coach from '18-'23.
Big Shoes to Fill
Taking over as the defensive coordinator is no small task, especially when stepping into the role after your predecessor, Jay Sawvel, is now your head coach and boss. Aaron spoke about the challenges of transitioning from a position coach to overseeing the entire defense.
"The biggest adjustment is a couple of things…one, you have just your eyes on practice, you're looking at 11 rather than two, Bohl said. You have to do a good job trying to piece together each group and see how you can help get them going each day," Bohl stated.
Goals for the 2024 Defense
With the promotion comes the responsibility of setting the tone for the defense. Aaron is clear about his objectives for the upcoming season which can be defined with one word: “Disruptive.”
"One of the biggest things for this is we need to be a little more disruptive on defense," Aaron explained. "The last couple of years, we had a really consistent secondary play, especially the safety group. We have to keep that up... We have to be able to find a way to make more negative plays, and that starts up front on the defensive line."
Replacing Key Players
Key player losses will always be a part of college football's “lifecycle,” whether the losses come from the transfer portal or the expiration of a player’s eligibility. Aaron is well aware of the impact of losing standout defensive tackle Cole Godbout. However, he remains optimistic about the depth and talent on the roster.
"Obviously, Jordan Bertagnole’s (DT Gr. 6' 4" 295 Lbs. Casper, Wyo.) back, and that'll be big time. My dad told me that getting him back was the biggest recruit we got last year," Aaron quipped. "Ben Florentine (NT Jr. 6' 1" 281 Lbs. Anaheim, Calif.) has had a good camp as well... We've got a really good young mix with guys like Jayden Williams (DT R-Fr. 6' 3" 290 Lbs. Bryan, Texas), Jaden Williams (DT So. 6' 4" 290 Lbs. Inglewood, Calif.), Dante Drake (DT So. 6' 3" 285 Lbs. Robinson, Texas), and Lucas Samsula (DT R-Fr. 6' 4" 295 Lbs. Plano, Texas)."
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Players to Watch
Aaron also highlighted some younger players who have been making an impression during camp. "Braden Siders (DE Jr. 6' 3" 252 Lbs. Thornton, Colo.) and Sebastian Harsh (DE Jr. 6' 3" 251 Lbs. Scottsbluff, Neb.) at the defensive end positions could take a step forward... Ethan Day (DE So. 6' 4" 255 Lbs. Copperopolis, Calif.) has started to make some plays. We'll see if he keeps it going in camp," he noted.
He also mentioned the competition at linebacker, where players like Shae Suiaunoa (LB Gr. 6' 3" 231 Lbs. Houston, Texas), Connor Shay (LB Sr. 6' 2" 232 Lbs. Danville, Calif.), and Cole DeMarzo (LB Jr. 6' 4" 240 Lbs. Hilton Head, S.C., and Michigan State University) have been pushing each other, with Evan Eller (LB Gr. 6' 0" 232 Lbs. Roanoke, Va. Virginia Military Institute) emerging as a strong contender.
Shae Suiaunoa’s Continued Growth
Shae Suiaunoa, a key player for the Cowboys' defense, showed impressive tackle improvement in 2023. Aaron spoke about Shae's development and his expectations for the upcoming season.
"He's a very self-aware guy... He takes hard coaching well, and we have a good relationship. The expectation is high for him, and he's made significant improvements every year," Aaron said. "He looks better, leaner, and stronger this year after a full offseason of training."
Preparing for the Heat and Upcoming Challenges
The Cowboys will face some high temperatures early in the season, including the heat in Tempe, Arizona, when the Pokes kick off the season against the Arizona State University Sun Devils on August 31st. Aaron gave us some insight into how the defense prepares for the extreme temperatures they’ll encounter.
"We've been trying to utilize different practice times... but we also have to understand that there's going to be a limit to what we can replicate," he explained. "Depth on defense is going to be vital, and we'll have to play two-deep in almost every spot."
The heat cannot be replicated in Laramie, but physical conditioning and hydration will be the key factors helping the Pokes adapt to the heat in Tempe, which is just 20 days away.
On Facing BYU at Home
On Saturday, September 14th, Wyoming is set to face the BYU Cougars at home in Laramie this year. Aaron acknowledged the significance of the game, especially given the history and rivalry between the two teams, reflecting on the last time they faced off against BYU in 2022 in Provo:
"You could tell the passion that was there on both sides... We have a lot of players, like Nick Talich (LB Jr. 6' 0" 220 Lbs. Cody, Wyo.), whose dad was here in the 90s, that can attest to what it's like playing against BYU," Aaron said. "We'll be teaching them just like any other rivalry,” Bohl said regarding letting the younger players know about the significance of the rivalry.
Looking Ahead
With just 20 days away from the Cowboy’s season opener in Tempe, Aaron Bohl is focused on leading the Cowboys' disruptive defense. With a mix of veteran players and young players, he’s confident in the team’s ability to rise to the challenge. "We're excited to see how it all works out," Aaron concluded.
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