PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University Head Football Coach Mike Leach announced Friday that Jeff Phelps has been named the Cougars' defensive line coach. Phelps replaces Joe Salave'a who spent the last five seasons in the position.
 
"Jeff is a passionate football coach and a true technician of the game," said Leach. "He coaches with great energy, is a strong recruiter and brings with him a track record of being a part of great defenses."
 
Phelps arrives in Pullman having spent the past six seasons as the defensive line coach at the University of Minnesota. This past season Minnesota posted a 9-4 record, including a win over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl. The Gopher defense ranked 12th in the nation in tackles for loss, 14th in rushing yards allowed and 22nd in sacks.
 
During his six seasons in Minneapolis, Phelps was a part of five bowl teams and coached four players who earned All-Big Ten honors, including 2013 Third Team All-American Ra'Shede Hagemen, who was a 2014 second-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons.

Phelps joined the Minnesota staff after spending five years coaching at Northern Illinois. From 2008-2010, he coached the Huskies' defensive line. In 2006-07, Phelps was responsible for coaching the Huskie defensive tackles.

Phelps coached defensive end Larry English at NIU. English went on to be named the Mid-American Conference's Most Valuable Player twice and was the 2008 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He was the 16th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, going to the San Diego Chargers.

Phelps began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ball State in 1999. He then spent three seasons at DePauw, where he coached the running backs for two seasons before going to the defensive side of the ball to coach the linebackers. He then spent three seasons at Hillsdale (Mich.) College, where he coached the defensive line from 2003-05 before joining the staff at NIU.

Phelps was a Second-Team All-MAC player at outside linebacker for Ball State following his senior season in 1997. He was also an Honorable Mention All-MAC selection as a junior. The Chicago native holds a bachelor's degree from Ball State.

Phelps is a graduate of Crete-Monee High School, where he was a three-sport standout, earning seven letters - football (2), wrestling (2), track and field (3).

He and his wife Tyla have a son, Carsen, and a daughter, Harlyn.