Head coach Beau Baldwin announced on Jan. 14 the team has hired EWU alum Eti Ena as the new defensive front coordinator and defensive end coach.

Ryan Sawyer resigned as the defensive line coach to pursue other opportunities and assistant Brian Strandley will continue as the defensive line coach.

Ena previously coached at the University of Idaho as the defensive line coach from 2009 to 2012. He was also the defensive line coach for Cal Poly State University from 2013 to 2015.

He coached at Shelton High School from 1997 to 1998 as an assistant coach. At Eastern Oregon University Ena served as the defensive coordinator from 2006 to 2007, and as the assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator in 2008.

Ena’s playing career started as a linebacker at Inchelium High School where he graduated in 1992. He later played at Walla Walla Community College and transferred to EWU but ended his career before his junior year due to a shoulder injury.

Ena attended EWU and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2005. He also served as a student assistant for the team from 2003 to 2005 under then head coach Paul Wulff.

Baldwin was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for those three years Ena was with the team.

“We’re fortunate to be able to hire somebody who has such great coaching experience and success working at different universities on the West Coast,” said Baldwin. “Not only is he experienced coaching defensive linemen, but he’s also coached linebackers and has experience as a coordinator. He brings a wealth of knowledge to our program and will help greatly in our future growth.”

Ena said he is excited for the new opportunities that lie ahead in his second stint with the Eagles coaching staff.

“I’m very excited to be around this place but more importantly these people, as these people are what makes this place special, and I am very proud to be a part of that at my alma mater,” said Ena. “I believe that being at different places and around other great coaches and players has helped me develop as a coach. Being around different ideas and seeing the way other programs were run in terms of success or otherwise. I believe being other places helped me to diversify as a person and a coach which makes you better in this profession. I’m very excited about the opportunity to join a great athletics program at an exciting time.”