Benny Boyd

Benny Boyd is a 20 year collegiate coaching veteran who just completed his first year coaching Corners and Co-Coordinating special teams at the University of Wyoming.

Prior to his arrival in Laramie, Boyd coached the cornerbacks and coordinated special teams at Eastern Illinois in 2019. The Panthers’ defense ranked No. 30 in the nation out of 124 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams in 2019, allowing opponents only 350.6 yards per game. EIU’s defense also ranked: No. 29 in the FCS in fewest first downs allowed to opponents (215), No. 29 in most fumbles recovered (10), No. 29 in tackles for loss (7.2 per game), No. 40 in pass defense (204.1 passing yards allowed per game), No. 40 in turnovers gained (21) and No. 44 in rushing defense (146.5 rushing yards allowed per game).

From 2015-18, Boyd coached corners and special teams at Central Washington. He was part of back-to-back Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships in 2017 & 2018 at CWU. Boyd coached First Team All-America cornerback Tyler Hasty who ranked second in the NCAA in passes defended in 2018. Boyd’s special teams ranked second in NCAA Division II in blocked kicks in 2018. He also coached Chase DeMoor, the 2018 NCAA individual leader in blocked kicks.

In 2017, the Central Washington defense ranked second nationally in interceptions and fourth in the NCAA Division II in total defense. He also coached several All-Conference selections on defense and special teams while at CWU. In 2014, Boyd served as defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator at his alma mater Aurora (Ill.) University.

He was the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at North Dakota for the 2011-13 seasons. UND led all FCS teams in blocked kicks all three seasons he coordinated the special teams, and he coached an All-America kick returner in 2012 and All-America kicker in 2013.

Prior to North Dakota, Boyd was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Luther College in Iowa from 2002-10. In 2010, he was a finalist for the AFCA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year. He coached four Division III All-Americans and three Aztec Bowl participants (Division III All-Star Game) while at Luther College. A total of 19 of his players earned All-Conference honors during his time at Luther College.

Boyd played football at Aurora (Ill.) University from 1996-99. He was a two-time All-Conference selection and held the school single-season record for passes defended. Boyd earned his bachelor’s degree from Aurora University in 2000 and added a master’s degree, also from Aurora University, in 2002. He has completed Bill Walsh Fellowships with four NFL teams during his career (Houston, Seattle, Oakland and Pittsburgh. Boyd is a native of Dixon, Illinois.