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A critical coaching vacancy has been filled for the Colorado Buffaloes. Kyle DeVan, who will complete Michigan’s 2021 College Football Playoff run as the Wolverines offensive analyst, was hired by Karl Dorrell on Tuesday to become the Buffaloes offensive line coach.
The 36-year-old DeVan will replace interim O-line coach William Vlachos, who took over for Mitch Rodrigue in late October.
As an offensive analyst with Michigan, DeVan worked primarily with its offensive line. On the very same day DeVan was hired by CU, the Wolverines received the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation’s best O-line.
Prior to Michigan, DeVan was most recently Arizona’s O-line coach/run game coordinator from 2019-20.
“Kyle came highly recommended to me by several people,” Dorrell said in a statement. “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.”
A former All-Pac-10 offensive lineman at Oregon State, his NFL career began when he signed as an undrafted free agent with Washington in 2008. After a brief stint in arena football, he returned to the NFL and started at right guard for Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.
DeVan began his coaching career at Oregon State in 2013 as a graduate assistant/tight ends coach and since then, he has coached offensive lines at Ball State, USC and the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.
If Dorrell and newly-hired offensive coordinator Mike Sanford’s run-first attack is going to work, a strong O-line led by DeVan is going to be necessary.
“I want an (offensive line) room full of players who play smart, fast and physical,” DeVan said in a statement. “And above all, we will be a tough unit. It all starts in the trenches.”
FROM WOLVERINES WIRE: Michigan football analyst departs for Power Five on-field job
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