Reports: Oregon picks Colorado’s Jim Leavitt as its new defensive coordinator

Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 15, 2016

Colorado defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt will be named Ore-gon’s new defensive coordinator, according to ESPN and Fox Sports reports on Wednesday.

Fox Sports reported that Leavitt will earn the highest salary for an assistant coach in Pac-12 history, though the terms of the deal have not been released.

Leavitt — who spent two seasons at Colorado — would be the first assistant coach hired under Oregon new head coach Willie Taggart.

Just like Taggart, Leavitt is a former head coach at South Florida. Both Leavitt and Taggart have worked under Jim Harbaugh, the current Michigan head coach.

Leavitt led Colorado’s big defensive turnaround this season and was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given to the top assistant in college football.

The No. 11 Buffaloes (10-3) will play Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29. It is Colorado’s first bowl game since 2007.

Leavitt posted to Twitter Wednesday evening: “I love CU, players, Boulder and all alum! Been great to me! Couldn’t pass up opportunity for family! South Champs! Been a great ride!!”

After being fired from South Florida in 2010, Leavitt was the linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons under Harbaugh.

— Bulletin staff and wire reports