Virginia head football coach Bronco Mendenhall announced today (Dec. 21) the hiring of Shane Hunter as defensive line coach to complete the Cavalier coaching staff. Shaun Nua, who previously accepted the position on Dec. 15, decided to remain a member of the Naval Academy’s football coaching staff. Nua informed Mendenhall of his decision on Friday, Dec. 18.
“Shane is a rising star in the profession,” Mendenhall said. “He knows me and our defensive system inside and out. Shane is an energetic and passionate coach who develops great relationships with the players. He’s a great addition to the staff.”
Hunter was a graduate assistant coach on Mendenhall’s staff at BYU the last three seasons, where he worked with the defensive front seven and special teams. The former Cougar linebacker was the defensive line coach at Snow College during the 2011 and 2012 seasons and was also the special teams coordinator in his second season with the Badgers.
Hunter is a 2011 graduate of BYU. As a player, Hunter was a middle linebacker for the Cougars during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons and he started all 13 games as senior. During the 2010 season, Hunter recorded 85 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery and earned honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference honors. He was also named to the Academic All-Mountain West Conference team and was a member of the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. The Idaho Falls, Idaho native spent his freshman season at Snow College.
Hunter spent time on the staff at BYU, not only under Mendenhall, but also with six previously announced UVA assistant coaches: Robert Anae (offensive coordinator/inside receivers), Robert Atuaia (running backs), Jason Beck (quarterbacks), Nick Howell (secondary), Kelly Poppinga (special teams coordinator/outside linebackers) and Garett Tujague (offensive line).