New Mexico Defensive Backs Coach De’vonte Cross: Desert Worthy
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with De’vonte Cross, a former college standout and NFL player who was forced into early retirement from injuries. He has transitioned into a successful coaching career, currently serving as the defensive backs coach at the University of New Mexico. Our wide-ranging conversation covered his playing days, the difficult decision to retire, getting started in coaching, keys to evaluating and recruiting players, and his vision for building a strong program.
De’vonte brought a unique multi-dimensional perspective as an athlete who starred on both sides of the ball. He played quarterback, receiver, and defensive back in college at the University of Virginia, starting for three years at DB. He signed NFL contracts with the Commanders and Packers before heart issues forced him to walk away from the game far sooner than expected.
This painful transition opened the door to coaching. He got his start at Vanderbilt under his former college coaches before joining New Mexico alongside head coach Bronco Mennikal. He was candid about the adjustment from player to coach, especially biting his tongue and resisting the urge to chirp at players like he did on the field during his playing days.
De’vonte provided great insights on what he looks for when evaluating recruits and transfers – traits like football IQ, effort, accountability, and versatility to play multiple positions are key. We also discussed the massive impact of the transfer portal, which has transformed recruiting at both prep and college levels.
He closed our conversation by inviting listeners to follow New Mexico’s upstart program. Despite a tough first year, Devontae believes they are building something special in the desert, focused on assembling a gritty, tough team that nobody wants to face.
I appreciated Devontae taking the time to share his knowledge and think listeners will enjoy hearing this conversation with a bright young coaching mind working his way up through the college football ranks. Be sure to check out the full video interview!