Phelps hired to replace Giles as UW's DT coach

Feb. 14—University of Wyoming football coach Jay Sawvel announced the addition of Jeff Phelps to the coaching staff Tuesday.

The veteran coach will mentor the defensive tackles for the Cowboys. Phelps takes over for Oscar Giles, who was hired as the University of Houston's defensive line coach this week.

Phelps has nearly 25 seasons of experience in coaching and spent nine seasons with Sawvel at Northern Illinois and Minnesota.

"I worked with coach Phelps for three seasons at Northern Illinois and six seasons at Minnesota, and I know the quality of coach we are adding, but most importantly, the quality of person we are bringing into the program," Sawvel said. "He will fit seamlessly into our program, and I'm excited for him to get started with players."

Phelps has been part of 15 bowl games and coached two-time Mid-American Conference most valuable player Larry English, who was a first-round draft pick in 2009. He was part of a Minnesota team in 2016 that ranked 12th in the nation in tackles for loss, and his 2018 Washington State team led the Pac-12 with 38 sacks.

"It is a great opportunity to reconnect with coach Sawvel, and not just him. I know a lot of the staff by working with them before and meeting them out on the road recruiting," Phelps said. "My family and I are very excited to be in Wyoming, and we are excited to connect with family in this great area of the country."

Phelps comes to Wyoming after one season as defensive tackles coach at North Dakota State. The Bison made an appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision semifinals last season.

Prior to his time at NDSU, Phelps spent three seasons coaching the defensive line at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs played in three bowl games during his time in Starkville and sported an 8-4 record in 2022.

He spent 2017-19 on staff at Washington State and was the defensive line coach at Minnesota from 2011-16. Phelps joined the Minnesota staff after spending five years coaching at Northern Illinois (2006-10). From 2008-10, he coached the Huskies' defensive line. In 2006-07, Phelps was responsible for coaching the defensive tackles.

Phelps was an All-MAC outside linebacker for Ball State, where he graduated in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in marketing. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ball State in 1999 before moving on to DePauw as a linebackers and running backs coach (2000-2002) and Hillsdale as a defensive line coach (2003-2005).