Hebron “Loni” Fangupo joined the Lobo Family in December of 2024, and he serves as the defensive line coach. He came to UNM after extensive playing experience spanning four years in the NFL. He also has experience with Coach Eck from a season at Idaho.
In 2025, the Lobo defensive line was at times unstoppable and perhaps one of the most improved units in the country. UNM recorded 36 sacks, the most since the 2005 season, and UNM led the Mountain West in sacks one season after finishing last with just 11. UNM was second in the Mountain West in TFLs with 77, again after finishing last in that category in 2024.
Three defensive linemen earned All-Mountain West honors. Keyshawn James-Newby became UNM's first conference sack leader in 20 years, and he was a Third Team All-American by PFSN and First Team All-Mountain West. Brett Karhu went from 58 snaps at Memphis in 2024 to 537, and Honorable Mention honors, and Brian Booker also earned Honorable Mention honors.
PREVIOUS COACHING STOPS
IDAHO (2024): Fangupo served as the defensive line coach for one season at Idaho with Jason Eck, and he made his mark. He coached All-American Keyshawn James-Newby and three All-Big Sky players in James-Newby, Dallas Afalava, and Malakai Williams.
The defensive line was one of the most dominant in the FCS, totaling 35 sacks on the season, led by James-Newby. He led the Big Sky Conference with 10.5 sacks, and he was at his best in big games, picking up 2.5 sacks against Oregon and 3.0 sacks against Wyoming. James-Newby was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award for FCS defensive player of the year.
Along with James-Newby, he coached first-teamer Dallas Afalava, who registered 7.0 TFLs and 4.0 sacks with eight hurries and a forced fumble as the Vandals went 10-4 on the season and advanced to the FCS Quarterfinals.
TEXAS SOUTHERN (2023): Spent a season at Texas Southern as a defensive analyst for the Tigers, helping the defense record 26 sacks on the season.
DIXIE STATE/UTAH TECH (2019-22): Coached at Utah Tech for four seasons and was part of the Trailblazers’ transition from Division II to Division I and their transition to two Division I conferences.
He helped the ‘Blazers go 8-3 in 2019, and he coached Syrus Webster, who was named First Team All-WAC and First Team All-United Athletic Conference. He was also named the UAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. He also coached Dylan Hendrickson, who set Utah Tech records with 10.0 sacks in a season and 4.5 in a game.
SNOW COLLEGE (2017-18): Coached for two seasons at Snow College, where the Badgers went 18-4 in his time there, playing in two bowl games and winning the 2017 El Toro Bowl. In his time there, he coached four All-Western States Football League players, including Isaac Fotu, who set a Snow record with 4.5 sacks in a game, tied a season record with 13.0 sacks, and put a career mark with 19.0 sacks.
PLAYING CAREER – MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE (2007-2008); USC (2009-2010); BYU (2011); HOUSTON TEXANS (NFL, 2012); SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (NFL, 2012); PITTSBURGH STEELERS (NFL, 2012-13); KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (NFL, 2014); WASHINGTON REDSKINS (NFL, 2014); KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2014-15): Played at three colleges over five seasons after serving a two-year Mormon mission to the Philippines. After impressing at the NFL combine, where his 36 reps on the bench were the most of any defensive tackle, he forged a four-year NFL career, playing in five career games in that time.
| Hebron “Loni” Fangupo Profile |
| Birthday: 7/19/1985 |
| Hometown: Santa Ana, Calif. |
| Alma Mater: BYU, 2016 (B.A., Sociology); BYU, 2018 (M.A., Athletic Administration and Coaching) |
| Playing Experience: Mt. San Antonio College (2007-2008); USC (2009-2010); BYU (2011); Houston Texans (NFL, 2012); Seattle Seahawks (NFL, 2012); Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL, 2012-13); Kansas City Chiefs (NFL, 2014); Washington Redskins (NFL, 2014); Kansas City Chiefs (2014-15) |
| Family: Married to Rebekah. Children are Taulanga, Lavinia, Gordon, Koloa, Sione Fuka, and Leona Marie. |
| Coaching Experience | |
| 2025 | New Mexico (Defensive Line) |
| 2024 | Idaho (Defensive Line) |
| 2023 | Texas Southern (Defensive Analyst) |
| 2019-22 | Dixie State/Utah Tech (Defensive Line) |
| 2017-18 | Snow College (Defensive Line) |
| Postseason Coached (corresponding to the season, not the actual year of the playoff/bowl game): | |
| 2025 | Rate Bowl |
| 2024 | FCS Playoffs (Quarterfinals) |
| 2018 | Graphics Edge Bowl |
| 2017 | El Toro Bowl |