Aaron Bohl is Writing His Own Story at Wyoming

LARAMIE -- Wyoming's first year defensive coordinator is about as relaxed and mild-mannered as they come. Aaron Bohl's welcoming smile and friendly demeanor with his players resonates.

Whatever you do, though, just don't jump offsides.

"He was losing it," sophomore defensive end Ethan Day joked, adding it was a particularly tough day at practice for his unit when it comes to the early movement category. "That's what you're supposed to do as a coach. If my players jumped offside, I would lose it as much as he did."

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When Bohl speaks up, Day added, it demands attention.

"He's probably the most calm guy on this whole staff," he said.

DeVonne Harris agreed, saying though Bohl now has a new title, not much has changed since his early days as a linebackers coach.

"He's usually that calm, collected coach," the sixth year senior said with a smile. "When we get jumpy a little bit, then he will get a little hot-headed. But other than that, no. I haven't seen it that much."

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Bohl has worked under seasoned coordinators since arriving on campus back in 2017 as a graduate assistant after his playing days at Minnesota State Moorhead. Scottie Hazelton led this defense to new heights that first season. Wyoming led the nation in takeaways with 38. That unit also allowed just 17.5 points per game.

Bohl added the title of "interim" prior to the 2019 campaign. That year, working under Jake Dickert, the Cowboys once again featured one of the premiere defenses in the nation, holding their opponents again to less than 18 points an outing.

Then came Jay Sawvel.

Bohl has been in the booth high above War Memorial Stadium over the previous four seasons, assisting Wyoming's newly appointed head coach. Those two have helped carry on the tradition of top-tier linebacker play at the university.

Chad Muma, following in Wilson's footsteps, went on to become a third-round NFL Draft selection. Easton Gibbs is currently suiting up for the Seattle Seahawks.

Shae Suiaunoa could be the latest first-team All-Mountain West selection at the position after moving to the middle this offseason.

When Sawvel landed the job last December, he didn't wait for the school to issue a press release about his next defensive coordinator. In fact, he broke the news mid-sentence.

"Defensively, we're not changing anything," he said. "We've got a bunch of guys back defensively -- starters -- next year. We're not bringing some guy in to all of a sudden become a 3-4 defense or some crap like that. That's not happening. I'm promoting Aaron Bohl as a defensive coordinator. Our defensive staff is completely on board with that."

So are the players.

The man himself, as expected, hasn't wavered one bit.

"I'm walking into a very good situation," Bohl said. "You know, I say this tongue and cheek, but it's partially true, I'm very blessed right now in the situation that I am in. We have a lot of guys back with a lot of experience and everything like that. If we're not as good on defense, there was one change, and it's me.

"So, we just have to make sure we hold the standard. I don't know if there's a better situation the first year DC could be stepping into."

Craig Bohl roamed the sidelines at Jonah Field for the previous 10 seasons, rebuilding this Wyoming program from the ground up. Under his leadership, this team appeared in six bowl games and hosted the 2016 Mountain West Championship game.

Arguably the most important stat of all -- 7-3. That was Bohl's record against Border War rival Colorado State during his tenure.

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With a no-nonsense approach and the national championship pedigree to back it up, the longest-tenured boss in Cowboy football history, though always seemingly fair, wasn't necessarily the type to pamper, pander or cater.

Neither is his son, who he always referred to as the "Real Coach Bohl."

He already has the experience and the DNA for the position. Now, he's found his voice.

"My dad always told us coaches -- and I love this quote -- we get paid money to figure it out," he said. "He always would say a slap on the back or kick in the ass is 18 inches apart. So, you have to aim carefully, meaning you have to know how you want to go coach.

"They know what buttons they need to push and, you know, get on them. So, I'm definitely trying to use that to our advantage."

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players