BOULDER – Sources tell BSN Denver that Colorado Buffaloes safeties coach and one time defensive play caller Joe Tumpkin will no longer be coaching at CU. Tumpkin’s contract is set to expire on Feb. 1 and while it’s still unclear if he has been terminated or if the university will just simply let his contract run out, what is clear is that he will not be a coach at Colorado next year.
Tumpkin was the subject of a domestic violence complaint which surfaced recently, the original report revealed that his ex-girlfriend claimed that he physically assaulted her multiple times over the course of their three-year relationship, including the nights before and after CU football games.
Tumpkin, 45, has been the safeties coach at CU for the past two seasons and was the play caller for the defense at the Alamo Bowl following Jim Leavitt’s departure for the defensive coordinator position at Oregon.
Tumpkin has coached in over 140 games at the division one level and was previously was the defensive coordinator at Central Michigan. His departure means the Buffs will replace both of their coaches in the secondary after cornerbacks coach Charles Clark also departed for Oregon.
Updated to include notes from the press release: 1-27-17, Noon
“Joe is currently defending himself against allegations made in court records that do not represent our values,” Rick George said. “Furthermore, we need to move forward to ensure we do not have gaps in our coaching staff as we build the team and sign new recruits.”
In consideration for his resignation, Tumpkin will receive two months of severance pay, which equals $34,000.
As is standard practice for all employees who leave the university, he will receive a payout for unused vacation time totaling $29,607. His final paycheck will also include the one-time payment of $15,692, which is consistent with other coaching staff under the campus’ Postseason Compensation Policy related to bowl game appearances.
Mike MacIntyre is moving quickly to hire a new assistant coach as the football team prepares for the start of spring practices on Feb. 22, followed by the March 18 Spring Game.
