Jordan Peterson Promoted to Defensive Coordinator
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico head football coach Bob Davie has announced that Jordan Peterson has been promoted to defensive coordinator. Kevin Cosgrove, who has spent the past five seasons as defensive coordinator, will continue as the team’s linebacker coach. Peterson, who joined UNM for the 2017 season after coaching at Fresno State, has been the teams’ safeties coach the last two seasons.
“Obviously, defensively things didn’t go as well as we wanted last year. It’s all of us involved. It’s not one person to blame nor is it one person that will solve it all. To address the problems, Jordan gives us our best option to become better on defense” said Davie. “I feel like he’s a rising star in this profession. His energy, his knowledge, his relationship with players, I feel like he’s really a bright, young coach.”
Davie does have a history of hiring bright young minds that go on to become head coaches. His direct coaching tree is littered with former assistants who have moved on to Power Five jobs and national titles.
The most obvious and famous of that group is Urban Meyer, who served as Davie’s receivers coach over his first four seasons at Notre Dame. From there Meyer went to Bowling Green for two seasons and then to Utah, where he led the Utes to a perfect 12-0 season including a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh. He then won two national championships in six years at Florida before moving to Ohio State, where he won a third national title and played in six straight New Year’s Six bowls.
Meyer may be the most obvious, but he isn’t the only one. In fact, the Davie coaching tree sees six total that have gone on to serve as a head coach in the FBS.
Urban Meyer (Notre Dame WRs, 1996-00):
Bowling Green 2001-02; Utah 2003-04; Florida 2005-10; Ohio State 2012-18
NOTES: Won three national titles and finished in the top-10 in 10 of final 15 seasons.
Dan Mullen (Notre Dame GA, 1999-00):
Mississippi State 2009-17; Florida 2018-present
NOTES: Mississippi State ranked No. 1 in 2014, led Bulldogs to first major bowl appearance in 73 years.
Charlie Strong (Notre Dame DL, 1995-98):
Florida (Interim) 2004; Louisville 2010-13; Texas 2014-16; South Florida 2017-present
NOTES: Led Louisville to a Sugar Bowl win, Louisville’s first BCS Bowl berth
Steve Addazio (Notre Dame T/TE/ST, 1999-01):
Temple 2011-12; Boston College 2013-present
NOTES: Six bowl games in eight seasons as a head coach
Mike Sanford (Notre Dame QBs, 1997-98):
UNLV 2005-09; Indiana State 2013-16
NOTES: With UNLV led Rebels to upset of No. 15 Arizona State.
Joe “Joker” Phillips (Notre Dame WRs, 2001):
Kentucky 2010-12
NOTES: Led Kentucky to BBVA Compass Bowl in first season.