Kevin Mathis

Biography

Former NFL standout Kevin Mathis was named the defensive backs coach by Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders on Dec. 12, 2022. Mathis joined the Buffs from Jackson State, where he coached the defensive backs for Coach Prime the for three seasons from 2020-22. Mathis helped turn the Jackson State defense around in his first year then by the 2021 season, Jackson State had one of the best defenses in the nation and in 2022, it ranked first in six major defense categories in the FCS, including total defense (257.4), scoring defense (11.2), passing defense (129.5), pass efficiency defense (81.22), team sacks (3.92), and third down defense (25.3%). Mathis led the Jackson State defense to the top mark in FCS in pass efficiency defense in both 2021 and '22. The year before Mathis joined the Jackson State staff in 2019, its defense was ranked 80th nationally in total defense, 109th in scoring defense and 100th in rushing defense. Those numbers improved to 62nd (total defense), 52nd (scoring defense), and 59th (rushing defense) in the COVID-delayed 2020 season. By the 2021 season, Jackson State ranked second in total defense (257.4), fourth in scoring defense (14.8), third in passing defense (157.1) and 10th in rushing defense (100.3). Mathis was also instrumental in the recruitment of Travis Hunter, the top-ranked prospect in the 2022 class and the highest ranked prospect to ever attend an FBS or HBCU. Hunter was injured part of the 2022 season but still led Jackson State with nine pass breaku