SAN JOSE, Calif. - San José State University head football coach Ken Niumatalolo has announced the promotion of Bojay Filimoeatu to Defensive Coordinator, leading a wave of high-profile coaching additions for the Spartans. Joining the staff are Brian Norwood as Defensive Pass Game Coordinator & Cornerbacks Coach, Joe Dale as Safeties Coach, Ramsen Golpashin as Offensive Line Coach, and Fred Guidici as Special Teams Analyst, plus Kolney Cassel has been promoted to Tight Ends Coach.
"Bojay is a rising star in coaching," said Niumatalolo. "Tutored by many coaches, such as Jay Hill and Brady Hoke, Bojay brings a wide variety of defensive schemes and philosophies to our program. An elite teacher, recruiter, and developer of young men. Brian brings 36 years of college coaching to our staff and is a former defensive coordinator who is one of the best secondary coaches in the country. Joe provides coordinator experience and knowledge to our program. Ramsen brings a "power four" and NFL background to our offensive line. Fred is a veteran special teams coach who knows and loves SJSU. Kolney played for and coached with offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann; he knows our offense as well as anyone."
Filimoeatu Elevated to Defensive Coordinator
After serving as the interim defensive coordinator for the final two games of the 2025 season, Filimoeatu officially takes the reins of the Spartans' defense. A former Broyles Award nominee, Filimoeatu returned to SJSU in 2024 as the inside linebackers coach and run game coordinator.
Under his direct tutelage, linebacker Jordan Pollard became a national standout, recording 108 tackles and earning First Team All-Mountain West honors in 2024 and 2025. In Filimoeatu's final game as interim coordinator against Fresno State, Pollard delivered a legendary performance with 19 tackles and a 58-yard pick-six. Filimoeatu’s resume includes successful stints at San Diego State, UNLV, and Utah State, as well as a professional playing career with the Oakland Raiders.
Norwood to Run the Defensive Pass Game
Veteran coach Norwood brings over 35 years of experience to San Jose. He joins San José State after serving as Assistant Coach – Safeties at TCU, where he joined the Horned Frogs’ football staff in March 2025. Before his time at TCU, Norwood spent five seasons at UCLA as assistant head coach, passing game coordinator, and safeties coach, helping establish the Bruins as one of the top defensive units in the country.
Under Norwood’s guidance at UCLA, eight defensive backs earned All-Pac-12 honors, and in 2023, the Bruins led the Pac-12 and ranked 10th nationally in total defense, allowing just 301.5 yards per game.
Norwood brings extensive experience, having served in co-defensive coordinator roles at Navy (2019), Kansas State (2018), and Tulsa (2015–17). During his season at Navy, the Midshipmen set a program record with 11 wins. At Kansas State, Norwood helped engineer one of the nation’s most dramatic defensive turnarounds, improving the Wildcats’ pass defense from last in the Big 12 to fourth in just one season.
His résumé also includes a successful seven-year stint at Baylor (2008–14) as associate head coach and safeties coach, along with seven seasons at Penn State (2001–07) coaching safeties. Norwood’s career path also features stops at Texas Tech (2000), Navy (1995–99), Richmond (1992–94), and Arizona (1990–91).
Dale and Golpashin Bolster the Trenches and Secondary
Dale joins the Spartans after an eight-year tenure at Weber State, where he most recently served as the defensive coordinator. Dale was a primary architect of a Wildcats defense that captured four Big Sky titles and reached the FCS semifinals. A former standout safety at Utah, Dale was the 2007 Poinsettia Bowl MVP and part of the undefeated 2008 Sugar Bowl championship team.
Golpashin arrives to lead the offensive line following a stint as a senior defensive analyst at UCLA. Golpashin brings valuable NFL experience, having served as an offensive quality control coach for the Green Bay Packers in 2022 and 2023, during which his units ranked in the top seven in the NFL in sacks allowed. A former Oregon offensive lineman under Chip Kelly, Golpashin has also coached at Cal and Hawai’i.
Guidici Returns to SJSU
Guidici brings more than 30 years of coaching experience and deep ties to San José State to the Spartans. A 1989 SJSU graduate, Guidici previously spent nine seasons with the program, most recently as Special Teams Analyst from 2020–22.
Guidici comes from Stanford, where he served as Senior Special Teams Quality Control Analyst and helped develop Joshua Karty, a PFF All-American and 2024 NFL Draft selection by the Los Angeles Rams. He has coached at every level of football, including the Oakland Raiders, San Jose SaberCats, and Menlo College, and worked under legendary coach Bill Walsh at Stanford.
Cassel to Tight Ends Coach
Cassel, who joined the Spartans as an Offensive Analyst on January 6, 2025, brings a wealth of experience in high-octane passing attacks and a proven track record of player development to the position.
Cassel’s coaching philosophy is rooted in his time as a collegiate quarterback. He began his career at SMU playing for June Jones and was mentored by Offensive Coordinator Hal Mumme. After three seasons at Sacramento State, where he ventured into West Coast offensive principles, he finished his playing career at Hawai‘i in 2018 under Rolovich. Upon finishing his playing career, he immediately joined the coaching ranks.
Zach Artman has also been elevated to offensive analyst. Artman has been with the Spartans since 2023 and started as an intern.
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