Jay Sawvel
American football coach (born 1971)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jay Sawvel (born March 14, 1971) is an American college football coach. He is the head football coach for the University of Wyoming, a position he has held since 2024.[1][2] He previously served as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at the University of Wyoming from 2020 to 2023.
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Wyoming |
| Conference | MW |
| Record | 7–18 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | March 14, 1971 Barnesville, Ohio, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1989–1993 | Mount Union |
| Position | Linebacker |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1994–1995 | Eastern Kentucky (GA) |
| 1996–1998 | Notre Dame (GA) |
| 1999–2000 | Ferris State (DB/ST) |
| 2001–2007 | Southern Illinois (DB/ST) |
| 2008–2010 | Northern Illinois (DB/ST) |
| 2011–2015 | Minnesota (DB/ST) |
| 2016 | Minnesota (DC/DB) |
| 2017–2018 | Wake Forest (DC/CB) |
| 2020–2023 | Wyoming (DC/S) |
| 2024–present | Wyoming |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 7–18 |
Sawvel played college football at University of Mount Union from 1989 to 1993. Prior to his tenure at the University of Wyoming, Sawvel previously served as an assistant coach at Wake Forest University, University of Minnesota, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ferris State University, University of Notre Dame and Eastern Kentucky University.
Early years
Born in Barnesville, Ohio, Sawvel played as a linebacker at the University of Mount Union from 1989 to 1993. He earned a bachelor's degree in sports management with minors in business administration, information systems and physical education at the University of Mount Union in 1993.
Coaching career
Early career
In 1994, Sawvel began his coaching career at Eastern Kentucky University as a graduate assistant. From 1996 to 1998, Sawvel served as a graduate assistant at the University of Notre Dame before serving as a defensive backs and special teams coach at Ferris State University from 1999 to 2000.
Southern Illinois
In 2001, Sawvel was hired as the defensive backs and special teams coach at Southern Illinois University Carbondale under head coach Jerry Kill.
Northern Illinois
In 2008, Sawvel was hired by Northern Illinois University as their defensive backs and special teams coach, following head coach Jerry Kill.
Minnesota
In 2011, Sawvel was hired as the defensive backs and special teams coach at the University of Minnesota under head coach Jerry Kill.
In 2016, Sawvel was promoted to defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach under head coach Tracy Claeys.
Wake Forest
In 2017, Sawvel was hired by Wake Forest University as their defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach under head coach Dave Clawson.
On September 23, 2018, Sawvel was fired as Wake Forest's defensive coordinator.[3]
Wyoming
In 2020, Sawvel was named the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at the University of Wyoming under head coach Craig Bohl.
On December 6, 2023, Sawvel was named the 33rd head coach at Wyoming, replacing Bohl following his retirement.[4]
Personal life
Sawvel has two children. He has earned two master degrees from Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Notre Dame in administration.[5]
Head coaching record
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Cowboys (Mountain West Conference) (2024–present) | |||||||||
| 2024 | Wyoming | 3–9 | 2–5 | T–10th | |||||
| 2025 | Wyoming | 4–8 | 2–6 | T–9th | |||||
| 2026 | Wyoming | 0-1 | |||||||
| Wyoming: | 7–18 | 4–11 | |||||||
| Total: | 7–18 | ||||||||