Current assistant coach Jorge Ruiz will add the role of assistant general manager in his work for Weber State men’s basketball. The university announced Monday that Damian Lillard and Eric Duft had chosen Ruiz for the role.

“Weber State is a special place with a rich tradition, and I’m excited to work to maintain continuity in our roster while managing new additions to the program in this role,” Ruiz said in a news release.

Duties include working with Lillard and Duft on roster construction, recruiting, player evaluation, NIL and transfer portal coordination, and strengthening relationships with alumni, supporters, and recruits.

“Jorge and I have built a strong relationship over the years,” Lillard said. “I wanted someone on the ground — someone I was very familiar with and trusted with this moment, and someone familiar with the fabric of what the Weber State Basketball program represents. I’m excited to continue to build our program back to the top of the Big Sky and into the NCAA Tournament with him.”

Ruiz, a California native and graduate of Grand Canyon University, is in his seventh season at Weber State, including his fourth as an assistant coach.

Kjar officially names assistants and special roles

Weber State has officially announced a handful of assistant football coaches previously reported by the Standard-Examiner, while Eric Kjar has named additional designations for several.

Additionally, it appears one more unannounced addition is on board as defensive tackles coach. Ono Tafisi was tagged on social media site X by a defensive lineman announcing a scholarship offer from Weber State.

Tafisi, a Salt Lake City native, finished his playing career at Division II Adams State in Colorado after time at then-Dixie State and also at Snow College. He has coached at Snow College and Tyler Junior College, with one year as a graduate assistant at New Mexico State.

By way of announcements, incoming linebackers coach Tanner Jacobson has been named assistant head coach and special teams coordinator, WSU announced. The four-year Tyler Junior College head coach takes over both roles after they were vacated by Skyler Ridley when the longtime WSU assistant was hired at Utah State.

Jacobson is a Texas native who played safety at BYU.

“I’ve always been a fan from afar of Weber State and FCS football, and have seen the winning tradition and the players and coaches that have come through here,” Jacobson said in a news release. “Weber State is in a great location, and I’m fired up to be back in Utah and working and recruiting with the staff here.”

Gavin Fowler’s hire as defensive coordinator and safeties coach was also made official. Fowler, the former Davis High quarterback, has been on BYU’s staff for seven years in roles as graduate assistant, analyst and assistant safeties coach after his playing career as a BYU safety.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Gavin on our staff and as our defensive coordinator,” Kjar said in a news release. “He brings strong playing and coaching experience, has a great understanding of defensive schemes, and has excellent ties in recruiting. He’s a great fit for our program.”

Isaac Asiata and Tana Vea are also officially on board.

Asiata, the former Utah and NFL offensive lineman, will coach Weber State’s offensive line after working as an assistant OL coach at Utah following a short career as a police officer. He graduated from Spanish Fork High School.

“I’m really excited to be coaching at Weber State,” Asiata said in a statement. “This is a historic program, and I look forward to getting Weber State back to where it needs to be.”

Vea returns to WSU after two years as recruiting coordinator at San Diego State. Vea will coach running backs and again work as WSU’s recruiting coordinator. Vea was previously a student assistant, offensive analyst and recruiting coordinator in four seasons at Weber State.

Vea is a California native who graduated from Juan Diego High School in Utah, where he also coached for six seasons.