D.J. Eliot will be leaving Boulder to become the defensive coordinator at another Power 5 program, according to a report from Brian Howell of the Boulder Daily Camera.
Eliot, who was added to coach Mike MacIntyre’s staff in 2017, spent four seasons at Kentucky as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach prior to coming to CU. Eliot goes to Kansas as part of Les Miles’ new staff and his hiring will be announced on Monday.
The Buffs improved under Eliot going from 108th in total yards for 2017 to finish 53rd last year. Also, total points allowed went from 28.7 to 27.3 with a majority in the final seven games.
According to Howell, “Eliot has one year and $700,000 remaining on his contract with the Buffs. His contract states that if he terminates the deal before Dec. 31 of this year, he owes $300,000 to CU, but given the circumstances of the coaching change, and the fact that Eliot may not have been back anyway, that has been waived, according to a source.”
As for who will be retained on Mel Tucker’s staff remains to be seen, but decisions will be made likely before the first of the year. CU’s new football coach has met with all of the current assistants and is likely to keep some of them going forward. A total of ten assistants are still under contract since Colorado fired MacIntyre last month. Co-offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini, along with linebackers coach Ross Els, running backs coach Darian Hagan, and defensive line coach Kwahn Drake will remain on Tucker’s staff.