BOULDER— Ross Els is still trying to learn the names of his players, Colorado’s defensive scheme and his new surroundings in Boulder.
It’s a lot to digest in a short amount of time, but Els is excited about his newest job opportunity.
Els was hired Friday to be the Buffaloes’ inside linebackers coach. He signed his contract in the morning and hit the practice field a couple hours later.
“When you get a program that’s been to a championship game and hopefully get to that next level and win the darn thing, that’s the kind of program you want to be a part of,” Els said on Saturday, after his second practice with the Buffs. “It starts with good people and I know we have that with (head coach ).”.
Els, 51, spent last season as the defensive coordinator at Purdue. He has coached linebackers for a large portion of his 27 years in college football, but said he has a new challenge in working within CU’s 3-4 defense scheme.
“The defense is a completely new defense for me, but I really like what (defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot) is doing with the thing and I’m excited to get going,” Els said.
Els said he hasn’t had a chance to study CU’s personnel at inside linebacker, but has a good first impression.
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