Ricky Ali'ifua returns to Pocatello for his second season leading the Idaho State defensive front after helping revitalize a Bengal defense that closed 2025 on a three-game winning streak to finish 6-6 overall.

Ali'ifua arrived at Idaho State in the spring of 2025 from Snow College, where he served in the same role, bringing a coaching pedigree built on both college production and NFL experience. A former defensive end at Utah State, Ali'ifua went on to sign free-agent contracts with three NFL clubs,  the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks, capping his playing career with the Seahawks in 2018.

In his first year in Pocatello, Ali'ifua's defensive line group helped power a Bengal defense that racked up 28 sacks for 194 yards and 74 tackles for loss across the 2025 season. Under his direction, the D-line produced standout individual seasons, including Bronson Childs (9.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks), Cam'ron Willis (10 TFL, 6.5 sacks) and Teilor Tuioti (5.5 sacks), while Jackson Irwin added 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in a limited eight-game sample. That front-seven push was a key piece in Idaho State closing the year with road and home wins over UC Davis, Cal Poly, Weber State and Idaho.