.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
One of Barry Odom's first hires, new defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross brings a wealth of experience to Columbia.
A native of St. Louis, Cross also has deep preexisting ties to the program. He was an all-conference safety for the Tigers back in the mid-1990's. To date, he's second in program history with 415 total tackles.
Throughout his college coaching career, Cross has had stops at Sam Houston St., Iowa State, Kansas, Wisconsin, and TCU. He also had a five-year spell with the Buffalo Bills as a linebackers/special teams coach.
Perhaps his most significant job came in Fort Worth with the Horned Frogs. Prior to his arrival at Missouri, Cross spent the past three years under reputed defensive guru Gary Patterson -- where he coached the linebackers, and also garnered the title of Co-Defensive Coordinator in 2015.
Under Patterson, TCU defenses could be characterized as hard-nosed, detail-oriented, and relentless in regards to the energy they play with. These are certainly principles Cross will try to bring to this program.
@CoachCrossZOU bout time you came HOME! Welcome back!
— Mike Kelly (@mikekelly1120) January 7, 2016
It remains to be seen as to whether this will be an effective hiring. However, Cross checks off a number of boxes in terms of being a great fit. He understands the unique culture embedded within the fabric of the program. In addition, Cross has a mass amount of experience coaching on all levels -- particularly when it comes to linebackers.
His NFL experience should help from a tutelage standpoint, and it likely will act as an attractive tool when it comes to recruiting.
