Utah Tech University Athletics

Misi Tupe is in the fifth season of his second stint on the Utah Tech Football coaching staff, and is in his second year as co-defensive coordinator, as well as the Blazers’ linebackers coach.

Tupe led a dominant group of linebackers in 2019, as four of the Trailblazers’ top seven tacklers were linebackers. The Blazer defense allowed just 22.4 points and 342.9 yards per game, the fewest in both categories in the program’s 14-year Division II era. The Trailblazer defense also finished the season with a program-record 40.0 sacks. Two linebackers earned All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors. 

Tupe came to Utah Tech after three seasons (2016-18) on the defensive staff at Snow College. He joined the staff in 2016 as linebackers and secondary coach, before being promoted to associate head coach and defensive coordinator in 2017. In 2018, Tupe remained as defensive coordinator and again assumed the role of linebackers coach.

The Badgers posted a 26-5 record in Tupe’s three seasons on the sidelines and claimed victory in the 2017 El Toro Bowl. Tupe coached five All-WSFL honorees and two All-Americans, including the 2017 NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year.

Prior to his time at Snow College, Tupe served as linebackers coach at Pine View High School (2015) and Snow Canyon High School (2014).

Tupe first coached at UT as linebackers coach from 2008-12 under former coaches Ron Haun and Scott Brumfield.

Before joining the coaching ranks, Tupe enjoyed an illustrious college football career. Tupe played his freshman and sophomore (2004-05) seasons at then-Dixie State in its final years as a junior college, earning first team All-WSFL and NJCAA All-Region honors. Additionally, Tupe was a finalist for the 2005 NJCAA National Player of the Year award.

He played two seasons (2006-07) at Texas A&M, where he finished with 151 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and one interception. Tupe earned Big XII Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors in 2006 and Team Defensive MVP honors in 2007.

Tupe earned a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M in 2008. Misi and his wife, Whitnee, who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Utah Tech Women’s Volleyball program, are the parents of four daughters and two sons.