Report: JSU coach set to join Buffs staff

Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders is bringing 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 come to CU as a director of quality control and defensive analyst.

Thurman, 66, has been the defensive coordinator at Jackson State 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 a part of the Trojans’ national championship team in 1974. Following a nineyear NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals, Thurman has been in coaching for nearly 35 years.

Thurman was the defensive backs coach at USC from 1993- 2000, but has mainly coached in the NFL, with the Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. He was the defensive coordinator of 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 has previously been reported that Tim Brewster ( tight ends), Andre Hart ( linebackers) and Kevin Mathis ( cornerbacks) will be coming to CU from JSU, as well.

Other staff 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) from Mississippi Valley State.

It has also been reported this week that Nick Williams, a defensive analyst at Texas A& M last season, is joining the staff as an on- the- field coach for defense.

Sanders is also retaining one member of CU’S previous staff, Darian Hagan. CU’S running backs coach from 201622, Hagan will take a different role within the athletic department.

CU has yet to officially announce any assistant coach hires.