Kane Ioane - Football Coach - Boise State University Athletics

Kane Ioane

Title:
Co-Defensive Coordinator / Safeties

Kane Ioane (cane / EYE-own) joined the Boise State football program in January 2021 as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

In 2023, he helped lead a magical turnaround as the Broncos won their final four games before bowl season (including the Mountain West Championship Game). That secured Boise State’s 26th consecutive bowl eligible season and led to a record fifth MW Championship. Under Ioane’s leadership, Boise State’s defense ranked 15th in the nation in fourth down efficiency and 17th in the country in sacks, leading the MW in both categories.

He coached All-MW Honorable Mention honorees Seyi Oladipo and Alexander Teubner. Oladipo entered bowl season ranked tied for second in the Mountain West with his three tackles for a loss against New Mexico while Teubner, the Defensive MVP of the MW Championship Game, led the Broncos in tackles during the season.

The 2022 season witnessed Boise State reach another MW Championship Game along with a Frisco Bowl championship thanks to a stifling defense led by Ioane. He guided All-MW First Team selection JL Skinner, who would go on to become a Sixth Round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.

Ioane’s defense finished the season ranked sixth in the country in total defense (allowing 292.5 yards per game) with a unit that allowed just 19.5 points per game, ranking 15th in the nation. The Broncos secondary led the way, ranking fifth in passing yards allowed, yielding only 167.7 yards per game.

The Broncos allowed just 19.0 points per game to opponents during the 2021 season, ranking 12th nationally, and with 23 turnovers in 12 games, the defense ranked tied for 21st nationally in the statistical category, registering the most turnovers since 2012 when the team recorded 29.

During the 2021 season, Ioane mentored three All-Mountain West honorees in Tyreque Jones, Kekaula Kaniho and JL Skinner. Skinner led the Broncos in tackles (92), solo tackles (66) and fumble recoveries (three), and his two forced fumbles tied for first among Boise State defenders last season. He also recorded seven tackles-for-loss, five pass breakups and two interceptions, marks that tied for the second-most on the team last season.

Ioane brings 15 years of coaching experience to Boise. Most recently, he was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Montana State during the 2019 season when the Bobcats advanced to a semifinal of the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. Montana State postponed its 2020 season to spring 2021.

The Billings, Mont., native began his career at Montana State in 2005, coaching linebackers. His first stint in Bozeman lasted 12 seasons, including the 2015 campaign when he was the defensive coordinator. He was the defensive analyst for Washington in 2017-18 before returning to Montana State.

As a position coach, student-athletes mentored by Ioane earned five All-America and 13 all-conference honors. Jody Owens was a two-time unanimous All-Big Sky First Team selection in 2011 and 2012, Big Sky Defensive MVP in 2012 and a Consensus All-American in 2012.

As a student-athlete, Ioane was a four-time All-American at Montana State (2000-03), the 2003 Big Sky Defensive MVP and a 2014 MSU Hall of Fame inductee. He ended his playing career as the Big Sky’s all-time leader in tackles.

Ioane earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Montana State in 2005. He and his wife, Kerri, have one daughter, Avah, and one son, Kyson.