BuffStampede.com has learned Ross Els is leaving Boulder to join Mel Tucker's staff at Michigan State. He had been part of Colorado's staff since February of 2017.

Els served as the Buffaloes' inside linebackers coach, and he had the title of special teams coordinator added last winter.

The 54-year old Els becomes the fourth member of Colorado's staff to follow Tucker to East Lansing, joining offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson, offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic and Director of Player Personnel Geoff Martzen.

Prior to his three year stint in Boulder, Els served as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Purdue (2016), linebackers coach and special teams coach at Nebraska (2011-14), linebackers coach at Ohio (2005-10), and in multiple roles on the staff at New Mexico State (2001-04).

Originally from Nebraska, Els played safety at Nebraska-Omaha in the mid-'80s. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Northern Iowa in 1989.

Els was the primary recruiter for Mister Williams, Colorado's lone inside linebacker signee in the 2020 class.