Colorado Buffaloes: Dante Carter Named New Defensive Line Coach
- – The Colorado Buffaloes have named Dante Carter as their new defensive line coach, February 24, 2026, according to reports.
- Carter, who served as a graduate assistant on the Colorado staff in 2025 under Peko, will now lead the defensive line room.
- Prior to joining Colorado, Carter spent one year as the defensive line coach at Texas College, an NAIA school in Tyler, Texas.
Dante Carter Promoted to Defensive Line Coach at Colorado
BOULDER, Colo. – The Colorado Buffaloes have named Dante Carter as their new defensive line coach, , according to reports. The move comes as head coach Deion Sanders restructures his defensive staff following the departure of Domata Peko to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Carter, who served as a graduate assistant on the Colorado staff in under Peko, will now lead the defensive line room. His promotion represents a significant step up for the young coach, who quickly impressed during his initial season with the Buffaloes.
Prior to joining Colorado, Carter spent one year as the defensive line coach at Texas College, an NAIA school in Tyler, Texas. During his tenure there, his team distinguished itself, finishing fourth in the NAIA in sacks with a total of 39. This success helped establish Carter as a rising star in the coaching ranks.
Carter’s own playing career included time as a defensive tackle at both Southeastern Louisiana and Prairie View A&M. He concluded his playing days in , recording 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
The appointment comes as Colorado prepares to begin spring practices on Monday, providing Carter with an immediate opportunity to work with a defensive line unit that has undergone considerable changes this offseason. He will collaborate closely with defensive ends coach George Helow and pass rush coordinator Warren Sapp, as the team seeks to improve a defense that struggled against the run in the previous season, allowing the most rushing yards per game (222.5) among Big 12 teams.
The Buffaloes’ defensive line saw several players enter the transfer portal recently, including freshmen Alexander McPherson, London Merritt, and Brandon Davis-Swain, as well as Samuel Okunlola, Tavian Coleman, Christian Hudson, Tawfiq Thomas, Gavriel Lightfoot and Jehiem Oatis. Carter will be tasked with developing the remaining players and integrating new recruits into the system.
Texas College head football coach Jarrail Jackson expressed his support for Carter on social media, stating, “Man super proud of my guy. Work his butt off for us here and now he reaping the benefits of he hard work.”