Jackson State defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman to join CU Buffs staff – The Denver Post

Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders brings his defensive coordinator from Jackson State to Boulder.

Thee Pregame Show, which produces content for Sanders and Jackson State, reported on Instagram on Saturday that Dennis Thurman will be coming to CU as director of quality control and defensive analyst.

Thurman, 66, has served as Jackson State’s defensive coordinator for the past three seasons. This season, the Tigers have the No. 1 defense in the Football Championship Subdivision, leading in points allowed (11.3 per game) and yards allowed (233.2).

A two-time All-American safety at USC, he was part of the Trojans’ national championship team in 1974. After a nine-year NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals, Thurman is coach for nearly 35 years. years.

Thurman was the defensive backs coach at USC from 1993 to 2000, but primarily coached in the NFL, with the Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. He was the defensive coordinator for the Jets from 2013-14 and the Bills from 2015-16.

At least four of Sanders’ assistants from Jackson State will be on the Buffs’ staff. It was previously reported that Tim Brewster (tight ends), Andre Hart (linebackers) and Kevin Mathis (cornerbacks) will also come to CU from JSU.

Other personnel additions already reported are Sean Lewis (offensive coordinator) and Bill O’Boyle (offensive line) coming from Kent State; Charles Kelly (defensive coordinator) from Alabama; and Vincent Dancy (analyst) of Mississippi Valley State.