Western Kentucky is poised to add a new assistant to its defensive staff with both experience in the Southeastern Conference, playing experience and work also as a full-time assistant at the Football Championship Subdivision level.
Multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Tyson Helton is hiring Dayton LeBlanc away from Walt Wells's Eastern Kentucky program.
The defensive line coach at Eastern Kentucky last season following time on Kirby Smart's University of Georgia staff, LeBlanc exits his role with the Colonels to also work with the defensive line in Helton's WKU program.
A former All-Conference USA Freshman selection from his playing career at the University of North Texas, LeBlanc initially transitioned into coaching at his alma mater before joining Smart's powerhouse Bulldogs program.
After two years at Georgia, LeBlanc spent 2025 at Eastern Kentucky, where he coached the defensive line and helped the Colonels amass 63 tackles for loss during the season.
Now, LeBlanc is set to join a Western Kentucky program that's found consistent annual success under Helton, the former University of Tennessee offensive coordinator and ex-USC assistant coach.
Helton has guided the Hilltoppers to seven consecutive bowl games in his seven seasons at the helm, including an appearance in the Conference-USA Championship game in 2021. Along the way, Helton has amassed 57 wins in his seven seasons -- all in his first stint as a head coach.
After a nine-win 2025 campagn, Western Kentucky is set to open its 2026 season with a trio of road games against FBS foes before returning home to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to host FCS resident Mercyhurst.
The Colonels begin their season at Nevada, followed by consecutive road trips against 2025 College Football Playoff participants Georgia, the SEC champion, and Indiana -- the Big Ten and CFP National Champion.