Alabamas Charles Kelly joins Deion Sanders Colorado staff as DC

Deion Sanders announced his Colorado coaching staff for next season on Tuesday, which includes Alabama associate defensive coordinator Charles Kelly as the Buffaloes’ defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Here’s what you need to know:

Welcome to Boulder, @CoachKellyUA1.

He officially joins Coach Prime’s staff as defensive coordinator and safeties coach. pic.twitter.com/62oQ2maxaD

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) December 21, 2022

Backstory

Kelly, 55, joined the Crimson Tide’s staff after one season as the special teams coordinator and safeties coach at Tennessee and spent the five seasons prior with the Seminoles, including the final four years as their defensive coordinator. Alabama has finished in the top 20 in scoring defense in all four of Kelly’s seasons with the program and won a national title in 2020.

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Sanders, who was named head coach of the program earlier this month, coached at Jackson State for the past three seasons, compiling a 27-5 record. The Pro Football Hall of Famer also led the Tigers to their first undefeated regular season in program history this year.

The Buffaloes finished 2022 with a 1-11 record, their worst season since 2012. Former Colorado coach Karl Dorrell was fired midway through the season in his third year with the team.

What Kelly brings to the Buffaloes

Charles Kelly brings Colorado a wealth of experience including stops at powerhouse programs like Alabama. He’s known as an excellent recruiter, and it’s a reputation well-earned. He’s been a defensive coordinator before in the Power 5, including at Florida State.

He was a valued member of the Crimson Tide’s staff, but it’s doubtful that he would have had the opportunity to be DC with the Tide. He’ll bring that knowledge of recruiting the Southeast to Prime’s staff. It should be viewed as a great hire. — Suttles

Colorado’s full 2023 coaching staff

Deion Sanders announces nine of his 10 Colorado assistants, including OC Sean Lewis and DC Charles Kelly.

Also Tim Brewster on tight ends and Dennis Thurman as director of quality control defense. pic.twitter.com/pijf9ZFVPi

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 21, 2022

Required reading

(Photo: Michael Wade / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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