TCU
A coach with ties to two defensive players on the Dallas Cowboys will soon be taking charge of the defensive coordinator duties at TCU.
Andy Avalos, who served as Boise State’s head football coach for the last three seasons is in fact a Horned Frog, according to a release. TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes verified that Avalos will in fact be taking on this integral role earlier this week.
This announcement comes a mere month after Avalos was fired from his position as the Boise State head coach in his third season despite having more wins than losses with the program. Ironically, the Broncos went on to win the Mountain West championship soon after his departure. Avalos will be taking up the duties left behind by Joe Gillespie after two seasons.
Avalos was most likely picked to take on this role due to a similar defensive shift he helped orchestrate while at Oregon in 2019. During that year, the Ducks were the No. 9 defense in the country, holding each offense to an average of 16.5 points per game. To top this off, Oregon also led the Pac-12 in sacks during Avalos’ time as a defensive coach.
TCU
Prior to joining the Oregon Ducks staff, Avalos spent seven seasons coaching at Boise State, three of which as a defensive coordinator. While at his alma mater, he also served as a linebackers’ coach (2014-15) and defensive line coach (2012-13). The Broncos won the Mountain West Championships three different years during his tenure. The big one came when the 2014 Broncos earned a Fiesta Bowl trip against Arizona.
During Avalos’ time as a coach, the Broncos led the Mountain West in sacks, ranked second in rush defense and third in total defense. In 2017, Avalos was on the sidelines when the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Leighton Vander Esch made a name for himself. Vander Esch would eventually be drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2018.
But Vander Esch wouldn’t be the only player under Avalos’ watch to earn a spot on “America’s Team.” During his two seasons as defensive coordinator, three Broncos earned five All-Mountain West honors, including a defensive end named DeMarcus Lawrence. The Dallas Cowboys picked up Lawrence as a second-round pick in 2014.
Other places Avalos spent time at during his coaching career include Colorado (2006-08), Sacramento State (2011) and Nebraska-Kearney (2009-10). Not bad for a guy who started his career in his hometown of Corona, California as a linebacker’s coach at Corona High School.
Before ever putting on a headset or calling a play as a coach, Avalos was a team captain and all-conference linebacker during his playing career, which spanned from 2000 – '04. In each of his final two seasons as a player, Avalos earned first-team All-WAC honors at outside linebacker, all while completing his career fourth all-time at the school with 355 tackles. He was also named to the All-Blue Team during the 2016 season, a list of the 30 greatest players in Boise State history.
During his career, Avalos has been a part of 15 conference championships and 13 bowl games while coaching seven NFL Draft picks, four All-Americans, five freshman All-Americans, three conference defensive players of the year and 50 all-conference selections.
Avalos' first game as defensive coordinator at TCU will happen in his home state of California when the Frogs take on Stanford for the 2024 season opener.
"My family and I are very grateful for all who have reached out to us with their love and support," Avalos said in a statement after being released from Boise State. "We are so thankful for the opportunities we have had at Boise State, the relationships built, and the chance to be a part of something special. To the players, I am grateful for each and every one of you and blessed to have you in my life. Love you guys!"
