Colorado Buffaloes Football: Karl Dorrell announces staff updates

The Colorado Buffaloes made some major football coaching moves on Friday.

Among the biggest announcements was the promotion of Chris Wilson to Buffaloes defensive coordinator. Wilson was the defensive line coach for Gary Barnett from 2000-04 who came back to Boulder for a similar role on Karl Dorrell’s staff last year. He has an impressive resume during the years between stops in Boulder.

Wilson spent four seasons as a defensive assistant in the NFL, most recently with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 and with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016-18. He was a member of the Super Bowl winning coaching staff in his final year in Philly.

Outside of his work at CU, Wilson’s college experience is expansive, with stops in Southern Cal, Georgia, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma going back to 2005. Wilson replaces Tyson Summers with a new philosophy for the Buffs. The Mel Tucker hold over was let go last month.

Dorrell also announced safeties coach Brett Maxie would be transitioning to a new role as the defensive passing game coordinator. He also said Shannon Turley would be coming over from Stanford to take over as CU’s new strength and conditioning coach.

Colorado still has two coach vacancies to fill before spring ball. Tight end coach Taylor Embree moved back to coaching in the NFL with the New York Jets, leaving one position open and the inside linebacker position was occupied by Summers as well.

The Buffs open spring practices on March 23 with COVID-19 guidelines still in place.