Wyoming: a football coaching history

Regional Program III#105 of 138–

See Wyoming’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
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Program GOAT

Lloyd Eaton

Peaked at Power Program II

Built by

Bowden Wyatt

Regional Program VI → Regional Program I (+19.7)

The fall

Fritz Shurmur

National Program I → Regional Program II (−18.0)

Right now

Jay Sawvel

the 13th-best of Wyoming's 17 ranked coaches so far

Every coach

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2024–now

Jay Sawvel Steady

Jay Sawvel held Wyoming at Regional Program III for 3 seasons.

2025 offense ranked in the 5th percentile nationally — historically bad

−3.1 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 48% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Willie Taggart’s South Florida run (2013–2016)

13th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Craig Bohl (2014–2023).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2024	2025	2026
Record & result
Record	3-9	4-8	5-3
Postseason	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	#102	#89	#114
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	43.1	49.7	37.6
Coordinators
OC	Jay Johnson	Jay Johnson	Christian Taylor
DC	Aaron Bohl	Aaron Bohl	Aaron Bohl
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	6	5	55
Defense	44	77	29
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	41.7	47.9	38.0
Red-zone pass%	35.0	50.0	35.6
4th-down go%opp. territory	39.0	32.3	43.5

Recruiter or developer?

Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and outperforms his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

-31.2 pts

#200 of 208 · bottom quarter

Defense vs. talent

+22.6 pts

#25 of 208 · top quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A typical amount of portal roster-building.

Portal arrivals

3.0★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-12

#93 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.

A typical class-year mix of incoming transfers.

Avg. size (raw)

6′1″, 224 lbs

across 21 of 39 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+6.4 lbs

#59 of 255 · top quarter

Avg. class year

#116 of 255 · middle half

Top states: CA (4), OH (2), KS (2), FL (2), VA (1)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

50.2

position-weighted

Talent lost

52.8

position-weighted

Net

-2.7

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Tyler Hughes (QB) from William & Mary

Biggest loss: Kaden Anderson (QB) to Tarleton State

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Jay Johnson → Christian Taylor · 2026

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 47.9% → 38.0% (-9.8 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 23% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Running back

208 lbs

5′11″ avg · #365 of 791 · middle half

Wide receiver

190 lbs

6′1″ avg · #526 of 791 · middle half

Tight end

249 lbs

6′5″ avg · #228 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

301 lbs

6′4″ avg · #677 of 779 · bottom quarter

D-line

271 lbs

6′2″ avg · #636 of 753 · bottom quarter

Linebacker

227 lbs

6′2″ avg · #432 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

184 lbs

5′11″ avg · #655 of 771 · bottom quarter

Safety

196 lbs

6′0″ avg · #192 of 346 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Buys Safety via the portal

70%

#22 of 218 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

80%

#146 of 188 stints

Grows Quarterback from high school

75%

#164 of 206 stints

1 player-season honored (All-America / national award): Emmanuel Pregnon (2025)

AI Narratives — “Wyoming — stat check”.

−3.1

12-20

2014–2023

Craig Bohl Steady

Craig Bohl moved Wyoming from Regional Program IV to Regional Program II in 10 seasons.

2017 defense ranked in the 97th percentile nationally — elite

+5.7 pts over 10 seasons · bottom 24% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Dan McCarney’s Iowa State run (1995–2006)

12th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Dave Christensen (2009–2013) · succeeded by Jay Sawvel (2024–now).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Record & result
Record	4-8	2-10	8-6	8-5	6-6	8-5	2-4	7-6	7-6	9-4
Postseason	—	—	L bowl	W bowl	—	W bowl	—	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl
Recruiting rank	#127	#113	#116	#99	#124	#97	#113	#109	#92	#109
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	45.6	39.2	37.6	43.8	35.8	30.8	32.8	35.4	38.8	39.4
Coordinators
OC	Brent Vigen	Brent Vigen	Brent Vigen	Brent Vigen	Brent Vigen	Brent Vigen	Brent Vigen	Tim Polasek	Tim Polasek	Tim Polasek
DC	Steve Stanard	Steve Stanard	Steve Stanard	Scottie Hazelton	Scottie Hazelton	Jake Dickert	Jay Sawvel	Jay Sawvel	Jay Sawvel	Jay Sawvel
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	23	32	73	8	29	43	24	67	17	55
Defense	18	10	14	97	88	91	96	43	54	68
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	36.3	27.3	34.4	39.3	26.8	24.9	28.9	34.9	36.3	39.5
Red-zone pass%	43.7	35.2	30.0	40.4	37.5	21.6	22.2	32.9	42.0	44.7
4th-down go%opp. territory	27.8	51.4	27.7	26.3	14.6	21.4	26.9	38.5	5.0	15.6

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and outperforms his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

+3.5 pts

#96 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

+25.6 pts

#15 of 208 · top quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.

Portal arrivals

2.6★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-26

#180 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in smaller-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′0″, 203 lbs

across 6 of 7 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+1.1 lbs

#219 of 255 · bottom quarter

Avg. class year

#1 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: AL (1), SC (1), OR (1), IA (1), NJ (1)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

23.4

position-weighted

Talent lost

56.8

position-weighted

Net

-33.4

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Andrew Peasley (QB) from Utah State

Biggest loss: Levi Williams (QB) to Utah State

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Brent Vigen → Tim Polasek · 2021The system held

2-season window either side.

1st-down pass rate: 26.9% → 35.6% (+8.7 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 85% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Steve Stanard → Scottie Hazelton · 2017The defense leveled up

2-season window either side.

DC: Scottie Hazelton → Jake Dickert · 2019

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Jake Dickert → Jay Sawvel · 2020

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

223 lbs

6′3″ avg · #107 of 767 · top quarter

Running back

207 lbs

6′0″ avg · #381 of 791 · middle half

Wide receiver

203 lbs

6′2″ avg · #46 of 791 · top quarter

Tight end

246 lbs

6′4″ avg · #308 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

306 lbs

6′4″ avg · #523 of 779 · middle half

D-line

264 lbs

6′2″ avg · #724 of 753 · bottom quarter

Linebacker

227 lbs

6′2″ avg · #445 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

187 lbs

5′11″ avg · #532 of 771 · middle half

Safety

202 lbs

6′1″ avg · #62 of 346 · top quarter

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2016: Lost to BYU 21-24 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl2017: Beat Central Michigan 37-14 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl2019: Beat Georgia State 38-17 Bowl2021: Beat Kent State 52-38 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl2022: Lost to Ohio 27-30 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl2023: Beat Toledo 16-15 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl

8 NFL Draft picks: Mark Nzeocha (2015), Brian Hill (2017), Chase Roullier (2017), Josh Allen (2018), Marcus Epps (2019), Logan Wilson (2020), Cassh Maluia (2020), Chad Muma (2022)

+5.7

61-60

2009–2013

Dave Christensen Steady

Dave Christensen held the Cowboys at Regional Program IV for 5 seasons.

2012 defense ranked in the 1th percentile nationally — historically bad

−0.4 pts over 5 seasons · top 35% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Scotty Walden’s UTEP run (2024–now)

15th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Joe Glenn (2003–2008) · succeeded by Craig Bohl (2014–2023).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Record & result
Record	7-6	3-9	8-5	4-8	5-7
Postseason	W bowl	—	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	#96	#99	#104	#114	#110
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	45.3	41.8	47.0	48.2	51.3
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	15	15	37	43	40
Defense	33	32	7	1	19
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	35.8	32.8	31.8	38.3	44.4
Red-zone pass%	38.0	33.3	40.0	44.4	41.7
4th-down go%opp. territory	27.3	37.9	25.9	47.6	40.0

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Grows Running back from high school

100%

#196 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2009: Beat Fresno State 35-28 Bowl2011: Lost to Temple 15-37 Gildan New Mexico Bowl

3 NFL Draft picks: Christopher Prosinski (2011), Marqueston Huff (2014), Robert Herron (2014)

−0.4

27-35

2003–2008

Joe Glenn Steady

Joe Glenn slid the Cowboys from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 6 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

+1.1 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 45% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: John Mackovic’s Texas run (1992–1997)

14th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Vic Koenning (2000–2002) · succeeded by Dave Christensen (2009–2013).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Record & result
Record	4-8	7-5	4-7	6-6	5-7	4-8
Postseason	—	W bowl	—	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	#73	#106	#95	#79	#95
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	45.7	51.4	44.0	46.9	35.6
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	68	47	32	16	22
Defense	—	22	81	84	80	77
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	47.2	55.4	45.2	39.7	28.0
Red-zone pass%	—	34.8	38.0	53.3	37.3	27.5
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	40.5	25.7	18.4	26.7

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Postseason detail2004: Beat UCLA 24-21 Bowl

3 NFL Draft picks: Casey Bramlet (2004), Derrick Martin (2006), John Wendling (2007)

+1.1

30-41

2000–2002

Vic Koenning Steady

Vic Koenning slid Wyoming from National Program III to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.

−11.4 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 9% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Norm Chow’s Hawai'i run (2012–2015)

10th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Dana Dimel (1997–1999) · succeeded by Joe Glenn (2003–2008).

1 NFL Draft pick: Patrick Chukwurah (2001)

−11.4

5-29

1997–1999

Dana Dimel Steady

Dana Dimel held the Cowboys at National Program III for 3 seasons.

−2.9 pts over 3 seasons · top 50% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: John Bobo’s Arkansas State run (1993–1996)

5th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Joe Tiller (1991–1996) · succeeded by Vic Koenning (2000–2002).

−2.9

22-13

1991–1996

Joe Tiller Steady

Joe Tiller held the Cowboys at National Program III for 6 seasons.

−3.3 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 30% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Ruffin McNeill’s East Carolina run (2010–2015)

6th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Paul Roach (1987–1990) · succeeded by Dana Dimel (1997–1999).

Season	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Record & result
Record	4-6-1	5-7	8-4	6-6	6-5	10-2
Postseason	—	—	L bowl	—	—	L bowl
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1993: Lost to Kansas State 17-52 Bowl1996: Lost to BYU 25-28 Bowl

6 NFL Draft picks: Ryan Yarborough (1994), Ryan Christopherson (1995), John Burrough (1995), Steve Scifres (1997), Lee Vaughn (1997), Marcus Harris (1997)

−3.3

39-30-1

1987–1990

Paul Roach Steady

Paul Roach moved the Cowboys from Regional Program II to National Program III in 4 seasons.

+9.5 pts over 4 seasons · top 5% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Todd Graham’s Tulsa run (2007–2010)

7th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Dennis Erickson (1986) · succeeded by Joe Tiller (1991–1996).

Season	1987	1988	1989	1990
Record & result
Record	10-3	11-2	5-6	9-4
Postseason	L bowl	L bowl	—	L bowl
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1987: Lost to Iowa 19-20 Bowl1988: Lost to Oklahoma State 14-62 Bowl1990: Lost to California 15-17 Bowl

3 NFL Draft picks: Eric Coleman (1989), David Edeen (1989), Mitch Donahue (1991)

+9.5

35-15

1986

Dennis Erickson Short tenure

6-6

1981–1985

Al Kincaid Steady

Al Kincaid moved the Cowboys from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 5 seasons.

+0.9 pts over 5 seasons · top 30% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Charlie Weatherbie’s Utah State run (1992–1994)

9th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Pat Dye (1980) · succeeded by Dennis Erickson (1986).

3 NFL Draft picks: Jim Eliopulos (1982), Chris Kolodziejski (1984), Jay Novacek (1985)

+0.9

29-29

1980

Pat Dye Short tenure

6-5

1977–1979

Bill Lewis Steady

Bill Lewis slid the Cowboys from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.

−3.7 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 44% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Jim Wacker’s Minnesota run (1992–1996)

11th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Fred Akers (1975–1976) · succeeded by Pat Dye (1980).

3 NFL Draft picks: Francis Chesley (1978), Ken Fantetti (1979), Danny Pittman (1980)

−3.7

13-21-1

1975–1976

Fred Akers Short tenure

10-13

1971–1974

Fritz Shurmur Steady≈

Fritz Shurmur slid the Cowboys from National Program I to National Program II in 4 seasons.

−18.0 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 1% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Paul Wulff’s Washington State run (2008–2011)

3rd-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Lloyd Eaton (1962–1970) · succeeded by Fred Akers (1975–1976).

2 NFL Draft picks: Conrad Dobler (1972), Nick Bebout (1973)

−18.0

15-29

1962–1970

Lloyd Eaton Steady

Lloyd Eaton moved Wyoming from National Program I to Power Program II in 9 seasons.

+7.6 pts over 9 seasons · top 25% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Tom Allen’s Indiana run (2016–2023)

1st-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Bob Devaney (1957–1961) · succeeded by Fritz Shurmur (1971–1974).

10 NFL Draft picks: Ron Billingsley (1967), Rick Egloff (1967), Jerry DePoyster (1968), Mike LaHood (1968), Jim Kiick (1968), Mike Dirks (1968), Paul Toscano (1968), Gene Huey (1969) + 2 more

+7.6

57-33-2

1957–1961

Bob Devaney Steady

Bob Devaney moved the Cowboys from National Program III to National Program I in 5 seasons.

+8.2 pts over 5 seasons · top 7% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Kane Wommack’s South Alabama run (2021–2023)

2nd-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Phil Dickens (1953–1956) · succeeded by Lloyd Eaton (1962–1970).

+8.2

35-10-5

1953–1956

Phil Dickens Steady

Phil Dickens moved the Cowboys from Regional Program I to National Program III in 4 seasons.

+4.3 pts over 4 seasons · top 15% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Keith Gilbertson’s California run (1992–1995)

4th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Bowden Wyatt (1947–1952) · succeeded by Bob Devaney (1957–1961).

+4.3

29-11-1

1947–1952

Bowden Wyatt Builder

Bowden Wyatt raised the Cowboys from Regional Program VI to Regional Program I.

+19.7 pts over 6 seasons · top 4% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Gary Barnett’s Northwestern run (1992–1998)

8th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Bunny Oakes (1946) · succeeded by Phil Dickens (1953–1956).

+19.7

39-17-1

1941–1942, 1946

Bunny Oakes Steady

Bunny Oakes slid the Cowboys from Regional Program V to Regional Program VI in 3 seasons.

−1.4 pts over 3 seasons · top 40% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mark Whipple’s Massachusetts run (2014–2018)

17th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Followed Okie Blanchard (1940) · succeeded by Bowden Wyatt (1947–1952).

−1.4

6-20-2

1940

Okie Blanchard Short tenure

1-7-1

1939

Joel Hunt Short tenure

0-7-1

1936–1938

Dutch Witte Steady

Dutch Witte held Wyoming at Regional Program IV for 3 seasons.

16th-best Wyoming tenure of 17 by the numbers.

Succeeded by Joel Hunt (1939).

Regional Program IV

7-15-2

Stature and coaches, 1936–2026

Every coach