Coach Prime and company had a position to fill when Colorado's former defensive line coach, Domata Peko, left for the NFL ranks, taking over for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the same position.
After losing Domata Peko to the Steelers, the Colorado Buffaloes have a new DL coach #cubuffs https://t.co/fr0AzoM9fs
— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) February 24, 2026
Prime filled the open position with Dante Carter, elevating him from graduate assistant on the 2025 staff to fill the spot.
Carter was previously the defensive line coach at Texas College, an NAIA school in located in Texas of all places.
Dante' Carter will Colorado's new defensive line coach
He will need to replace the position's NFL pedigree and take over a completely revamped defensive line, featuring players like Erza Christensen, Santana Hopper, and Tyler Moore, among others.
Carter played defensive tackle at Prairie View A&M for three seasons. In 2022, he recorded 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
While a promotion from within might seem risky for a team coming off a 3-9 regular season, Colorado has already done this twice this offseason.
Marshall Faulk's departure to Southern University as head coach led to a running backs coach opening, which Coach Prime filled by promoting Johnnie Mack, the offensive analyst and assistant running backs coach.
Following Cory Phillips' departure for Memphis, the Director of Recruiting position opened, and Prime selected longtime staffer Darrius Darden-Box to fill it.
Kind of a cool story: During his playing days, Carter earned the nickname "Baby Sapp" after NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, now a Colorado staff member.
Colorado's spring practices begin Monday, March 2, with the annual Black & Gold Spring Game on April 11.