Utah State announced Monday morning the hire of Skyler Ridley as the Aggies’ next wide receivers coach. Ridley has been at Weber State for 10 seasons and, two weeks ago, was announced as WSU’s new assistant head coach under head coach Eric Kjar.

That delivers a blow to the experience of WSU’s already green staff as Kjar builds his lineup for the 2026 season. Defensive ends coach James Cowser, with five seasons, is now the only coach on staff with at least three years of DI experience as a main staff position coach.

Ridley, meanwhile, reunites with his college mentors. Bronco Mendenhall enters his second year as Utah State’s head coach and, because Utah hired offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven away from USU, Mendenhall has brought in Robert Anae to call plays for the Aggies. Ridley played for Mendenhall and Anae at BYU before beginning his coaching career.

“Skyler Ridley is an elite in-state recruiter with deep relationships throughout Utah, and that will be invaluable as we continue to build our program the right way,” Mendenhall said in a news release. “He brings a strong special teams background, a clear vision for developing wide receivers, and most importantly, outstanding character. Skyler aligns perfectly with our culture, our standards, and how we want to represent Utah State Football.”

Ridley spent three seasons at WSU as a graduate assistant, was promoted to tight ends coach for three seasons, and coached receivers for the last four. He was also special teams coordinator for the last five seasons. On Dec. 19, WSU announced on social media that Kjar was making Ridley his assistant head coach and that he’d return to coaching tight ends.

In other WSU staff news, Tana Vea is also on board as a new addition. While not yet announced by the university, several recruits posted on social media site X that he’d offered them scholarships. Vea, who was previously on Weber State’s staff as an offensive quality control coach and recruiting coordinator, was at San Diego State as recruiting coordinator. He’s changed his X bio to read “RB coach” and “recruiting coordinator,” which are his anticipated roles at Weber State.

Vea is a California native who played high school ball in Utah at Juan Diego.

Isaac Asiata, WSU’s incoming offensive line coach previously included in the Standard-Examiner’s reporting about Kjar’s coaching staff, has updated his X bio to reflect his hire at Weber State.

Incoming cornerbacks coach Eddie Heckard was tagged in posts by Tarleton State transfer Bones Marks and Tyler Junior College cornerback Kerry Williams as having received offers from Heckard. Williams started his career at North Texas and Marks also played at Tyler before Tarleton; Tyler head coach Tanner Jacobson, also not yet announced by the university, is on board WSU’s staff to coach linebackers and special teams.

In player news, Utah State transfer receiver Tate Kjar announced he’d be joining his father and brother (Noah) at Weber State by committing to the Wildcats. Corner Canyon running back and first team All-State selection Weston Briggs also announced his commitment as a class of 2026 freshman.

After locating at least 24 WSU players who’d publicly announced they would be transferring out of the program before the transfer portal opened on Jan. 2, another starter announced Saturday he’s entering his name in the portal: safety BJ Carey. Two-year cornerback Jayden Martin, who did not appear in any games, is also transferring out.