Colorado’s coaching upheaval continued on Thursday with the hiring of former USC D-line/outside linebackers coach Vic So’oto. The 34-year-old So’oto will now coach the Buffs’ D-line, Karl Dorrell announced.
The Buffs’ D-line coaching role was previously filled by defensive coordinator Chris Wilson, who remains the DC but is now left with a “position to be determined.”
A three-year NFL linebacker, So’oto played his college ball at BYU, where he was initially a tight end before switching to play both linebacker and defensive end. So’oto suffered two season-ending injuries during his college career before earning first-team All-Mountain West honors as a senior.
In 2015, his coaching career began as an intern at BYU. After one season there, he moved east in 2016 to become a graduate assistant at Virginia. He was soon promoted and coached Virginia’s D-line from 2017-19. So’oto spent the 2020 season as USC’s D-line coach and in 2021, added outside linebackers to his coaching duties.
“Vic is an impressive young coach,” Dorrell said. “He is a great communicator, teacher and developer who relates very well with his players. His body of work speaks volumes, and I know our players will gravitate to his teaching style.”
So’oto, who is a second cousin of the late NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau, was likewise looking forward to bringing his coaching style to Colorado.
“I am excited to become a part of Karl Dorrell’s staff at the University of Colorado,” So’oto said. “Teaching and building are my passions and I can’t wait to get started in Boulder.”