Colorado's football program is making waves once again, and this time it's with a significant coaching move. Head coach Deion Sanders has elevated Dante’ Carter to the role of defensive line coach for the Buffaloes. This promotion comes after Carter spent the 2025 season sharpening his skills as a graduate assistant in Boulder.
Carter steps into the shoes of Domata Peko, who recently took on the defensive line coaching position with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's a big leap for Carter, who has shown promise and potential in his coaching journey.
Before his stint at CU, Carter made a notable impact at Texas College in 2024. As the defensive line coach for the Steers, he led them to dominate the SAC conference, finishing fourth nationally in sacks with a total of 39. Under his guidance, Texas College boasted an impressive 8-3 record, showcasing his knack for developing defensive talent.
Carter's football journey is rooted in his days as a player. A 2018 graduate of St.
Augustine High School in New Orleans, he started his college career at Southeastern Louisiana before transferring to Prairie View A&M. As a defensive tackle at PVAM, Carter accumulated 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks by 2022.
His high school career was equally distinguished. Earning the District 9-5A defensive MVP honors and securing a spot on the first-team Class 5A All-State, Carter was affectionately dubbed “Baby Sapp,” a nod to Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. Interestingly, Sapp himself is entering his second season on CU’s staff, adding an extra layer of mentorship and expertise for Carter to draw upon.
As Carter takes on this new challenge, the Buffaloes' defensive line is poised for a dynamic season under his leadership. With his track record and the backing of a seasoned staff, the future looks bright for Colorado's defense.