Kelly Poppinga: Mormon Coach

Kelly Poppinga is a special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach at the University of Virginia under head coach Bronco Mendenhall. Poppinga was part of Mendenhall’s staff at Brigham Young University. From 2013 to 2015, Poppinga was special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach; from 2011 to 2012, he was outside linebackers coach; in 2010 he was defensive graduate assistant and interim outside linebacker coach; and in 2009, he was a defensive intern.

Poppinga was a linebacker at BYU from 2006 through 2007 and led the Cougars with 113 tackles in his senior year. After he graduated with a bachelor’s in exercise science, he played in the National Football League in 2008 on three teams (Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams), including the Arizona Cardinals with whom he went to Super Bowl XLIII. While at BYU in 2009 and 2010, he earned a master’s degree in exercise science.

He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a missionary to Ecuador. He and his wife, Rebekah, are the parents of four daughters. His father, Dennis, played tight end at BYU from 1968 to 1971. His brother Brady Poppinga played for BYU and the NFL. His brother Casey Poppinga played for four NFL teams.