COLUMBIA, Mo. - Ryan Walters has been hired as safeties coach by the University of Missouri.
Walters, 29, comes to Missouri after spending the past season as cornerbacks coach at Memphis, where he worked with new Missouri defensive coordinator Barry Odom.
"I'm excited to join a program as prestigious as Mizzou," Walters said. "Coach (Gary) Pinkel and his staff have done a tremendous job over the years and I'm excited to learn their system and also to bring my perspectives in.
"I'm fired up to work with Barry Odom again, I think he's one of the best coaches I've been around, and it means a lot to me that he wants me in his defensive room. I'm excited to get to work and to help Mizzou continue to compete for championships."
At Memphis, the pair oversaw a defense that was among the most improved in the nation. Memphis went 10-3 in 2014, thanks in large part to its defense which ranked fifth nationally in points allowed (17.1 ppg) and 22nd in total defense (343.3 ypg) in the regular season.
"I'm really pleased that we are able to attract someone of Ryan's caliber to join our team," Odom said. "I've known him for a while now, and had the chance to work together last year and he made a big impression on me. He's a loyal and tireless worker who I see as a great technician and fundamentals coach. He was very sought after this past season, so we're excited to recruit him to Mizzou."
Walters, a Los Angeles native, played collegiately at Colorado, where he was a safety for the Buffaloes from 2004-08. A team captain for the Buffaloes in 2008, Walters was also picked by his teammates the team's MVP. He had 87 tackles, two sacks, seven pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions his senior year.
"We're looking forward to having Ryan join our staff, he is a really impressive young coach who has a well-respected reputation in the coaching industry," Pinkel said. "He's had proven success everywhere he's been and we believe he's going to do a great job with teaching and leading our safeties," he said.