BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake named Ben Cahoon the receivers coach at BYU on January 20, 2016.

Cahoon returns to his alma mater BYU where he previously served as receivers coach from 2011-12. A receiver for the Cougars from 1995-97, Cahoon went on to a historic 13-year professional career in which he became the Canadian Football League’s all-time receptions leader (1,017) and was a two-time recipient of the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian award. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

During Cahoon’s first stint coaching at BYU he tutored Cody Hoffman, who became BYU’s career leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Hoffman hit his stride under Cahoon’s tutelage, becoming one of 10 FBS players with 100 or more receptions in 2012 while posting 1,248 receiving yards to rank No. 12 nationally that year. Hoffman totaled 260 receptions, 3,612 receiving yards and 33 receiving touchdowns in his career.

Cahoon played his entire CFL career in Montreal where he contributed to three Grey Cup championships, including back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. He finished his career as all-time leading receiver in Grey Cup history with 46 receptions and 658 yards. Cahoon was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 2002 and 2003 and was a 10-time division all-star.

An Academic All-American and team captain at BYU, Cahoon redshirted the 1995 season before playing in every game as a member of the 1996 Cotton Bowl championship team that went 14-1 and finished No. 5 in the nation. He started every game as a senior in 1997 while ranking No. 23 in the nation with a team-leading 931 receiving yards and 57 catches. In addition to earning CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition in 1997, Cahoon was named to the All-WAC Second Team and received College Sporting News All-America honorable mention.

His 219 yards receiving at Arizona State in 1997 still ranks No. 9 in BYU history for a single-game performance. He was the recipient of the 2010 LaVell Edwards Distinguished Alumni Award.

A native of Orem, Utah, Cahoon graduated from Mountain View High School in 1990 and served a mission in Philadelphia from 1991-93. He played two seasons at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) in Rexburg, Idaho, from 1993-94, where he received Academic All-America and Junior College All-America honorable mention recognition. Cahoon set records for receptions in a season and receptions and receiving yards in a career in Rexburg.

For the past two and a half years Cahoon has worked as a sales representative at Arthrex, a top sports medicine company in North America. 

Cahoon graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in pre-physical therapy in 1998. He and his wife, Kimberli, have four daughters: McKelle, Kylee, Camri and Hallie.

Coach Sitake on Cahoon
“I’m excited to announce Ben as the receivers coach at BYU. Ben is one of the most prolific receivers in CFL history and has a great football mind. He is an excellent football tactician and teacher and is passionate about helping the young men in our program.”

Ben Cahoon on joining BYU coaching staff
“I’m humbled and excited for the opportunity to be back at BYU. I’m eager to work with the talented group of young men who are currently in the program and excited to hit the road and recruit athletes who will thrive in this special and unique environment. I’m committed to helping our receivers become a technically sound unit who consistently make plays on the field while reaching their potential off the field.”