CU names Kyle DeVan as next offensive line coach

BOULDER — The offensive staff is starting to take shape.

The Colorado Buffaloes announced Tuesday that Kyle DeVan, 36, will be the next offensive line coach at CU. DeVan has previously served as an assistant offensive line coach in the NFL and has five years of experience as a line coach in the college ranks. He’ll join the staff in January, after the Michigan Wolverines—where he is currently an offensive analyst—finish their season.

“Kyle came highly recommended to me by several people,” head coach Karl Dorrell said in a press release. “He is a rising up-and-comer in the coaching ranks, has a great personality and a lot of energy, and is someone his players enjoy playing for. He knows the Pac-12 from being a player and coach, and also has five years of NFL experience he brings to the position. He will be a great addition to our staff.”

Welcome to Boulder, @KyleDeVan68 🤝

📝 https://t.co/ZdqyZYBZzy#GoBuffs | #CUlture pic.twitter.com/R7nvDs6EWG

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) December 21, 2021

“I am really excited to be joining the Colorado football family, and I want to especially than Karl Dorrell, (athletic director) Rick George and (CU Boulder chancellor) Phil DiStefano,” DeVan said in a press release.  ‘It will be special for my family and I to join the Pac-12 conference once again, where I have so many memories as a player and coach. I do want to thank (Michigan head coach) Jim Harbaugh and (athletic director) Warde Manuel for the opportunity they gave me and for my time here at Michigan.”

“I want a (offensive line) room full of players who play smart, fast and physical,” he said. “And above all, we will be a tough unit. It all starts in the trenches.”

DeVan played five seasons in the NFL after going undrafted out of Oregon State in 2008. He started Super Bowl XLIV for the Indianapolis Colts.

DeVan joined Sean Payton’s staff with the New Orleans Saints in 2015 as the assistant offensive line coach. He became the offensive line coach at Ball State the next season, a position he held for three seasons. He served as assistant head coach in the final two seasons.

In 2019, he joined the Arizona Wildcats’ staff as the offensive line coach. After two seasons, he joined Michigan as an offensive analyst for the 2021 season. This season, Michigan won the Joe Moore Award, which is presented to the nation’s top offensive line.

Colorado hired offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. on Friday. DeVan and tight ends coach Bryan Cook are the only two offensive assistants currently under contract, as the rest of CU’s offensive staff signed contracts that expired following the 2021 season.

The Buffs fired offensive line coach Mitch Rodrigue in October. He was part of head coach Karl Dorrell’s inaugural staff at CU, which signed on prior to the 2020 season.

Quality control coach William Vlachos served as interim offensive line coach for the remainder of the season and was a candidate for the full-time position, prior to the announcement of DeVan’s arrival.

As noted above, the quarterbacks coach, wide receivers coach, and running backs coach positions are still open for the 2022 season. Current quarterbacks coach Danny Langsdorf and current running backs coach Darian Hagan could be back with the team; Hagan, a CU legend, has been on the staff for 17 seasons under six different full-time head coached. Former offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini, who was relieved of his duties after the season, also coached the wide receivers for CU, so that position is wide open.

Of the three positions mentioned above, Sanford will likely coach one. He has experience coaching quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs, so anything is on the table.

On the defensive side of the ball, only defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Chris Wilson and inside linebackers coach Mark Smith are under contract for 2022.

Stay tuned to DNVR for more updates as Karl Dorrell fills out his coaching staff.