Thursday, new Missouri head coach Barry Odom added an offensive coordinator. A day later, he addressed the coordination of the other side of the ball.
Mizzou confirmed in a press release early Friday afternoon that Odom has hired DeMontie Cross as his defensive coordinator. In addition to his coordinating duties, Cross will also coach linebackers.
Like Odom, Cross played his college football with the Tigers; in fact, the two were teammates for one season back in 1996.
“DeMontie is an outstanding addition to our staff,” said Odom. “He’s really established himself as one of the top defensive minds in college football, and he’s had success at every stop he’s been at over the years. I’ve witnessed him on the road recruiting, he’s relentless and has done a great job of establishing meaningful relationships in a number of geographic areas. I know he’ll be a great mentor and leader who will relate well with our guys. I expect DeMontie to bring some great ideas and concepts defensively to us that will build on what we’ve been able to do this past year. Obviously he has great enthusiasm, excitement and passion for Mizzou, and we’re proud to have him back here.”
Cross comes to Mizzou after spending the past three seasons as an assistant at TCU. The first two seasons, Cross served as linebackers coach, adding the title of co-defensive coordinator for the 2015 season.
In addition to his time at TCU, he spent one year each at Kansas (linebackers, 2012) and Wisconsin (special teams coordinator/safeties, 2011). In 2001-05, Cross was Iowa State’s outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator
From 2006-10, he was on the Buffalo Bills staff as a defensive assistant.
“I’m so excited to have this opportunity to work with Coach Odom and contribute to a place that has given me so much,” said Cross. “Mizzou is in my blood, it’s the place that made me the man and the coach that I am today. It’s also a dream come true for me to work alongside a guy I’ve known for so long. Coach Odom and I have had a strong bond on and off the field, and I’m excited to come in and support him and his vision in every aspect imaginable. I’m honored he’s put his trust in me this way. Mizzou has already established a good reputation on defense, so all I’m looking to do is come in and put my own twist to it and try to make it even better. My players will know that a sense of urgency, attention to detail, and playing with enthusiasm and energy are the things that are most important to me. I think people enjoy watching a defense that plays that way.”