Former Washington standout joins Vandal Football staff

MOSCOW — Idaho head football coach Thomas Ford Jr. has announced the hiring of Zion Tupuola-Fetui as a defensive assistant coach.

"We are really excited to bring Zion on our staff," Ford said of the newest hire to his staff. "We spent time together when he played at Washington, where he had a phenomenal career. I am excited to see him have that same success in the future coaching profession. He will bring great knowledge of pass rush, and his experience will help both of our defensive line coaches and, most importantly, our players."

The Pearl City, Hawaii native played collegiately at Washington from 2018-2023, where he was a standout edge rusher for the Huskies. He had a breakout year in 2020 when he was named First Team All-PAC-12 and was also a Second Team All-American. He led the nation in sacks per game during the 2020 season with 1.75 and forced fumbles per game. In his first career start against Oregon State, Tupuloa-Fetui recorded two strip sacks and was named the PAC-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week.

In 2023, his senior season, he played in 14 games for the Huskies and was named PAC-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week after Washington's win at Michigan State where he recorded two sacks. That season, the Huskies won the PAC-12 Championship over no. 5 Oregon — a game in which he recorded two tackles — beat No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl, and advanced to the national championship game. After the season, Tupuloa-Fetui was given the Don James Perseverance Award at Washington's postseason banquet. He was named to the All-PAC-12 teams in 2020, 2022, and 2023.