Jordan Peterson - Football - Kansas Jayhawks

Jordan Peterson

TITLE Co-Defensive Coordinator
PHONE 864-3392

Bio

Jordan Peterson is in his fourth season as an assistant coach at Kansas, working with the defensive backs under head coach Lance Leipold. At the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, Peterson was elevated to be Kansas’ Co-Defensive Coordinator.

Peterson has mentored four All-Big 12 selections during his time at Kansas, including two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection Cobee Bryant, who became the second Jayhawk cornerback in school history to twice be named First Team All-Conference. Bryant and Mello Dotson, an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honoree, combined for seven interceptions in 2023, the most by a KU duo since 2007. Dotson returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns, doing so in back-to-back games as he became the first Jayhawk in school history with a pick-six in consecutive games.

The 2023 season was another step forward for Kansas Football as the Jayhawks had a two-win improvement in the regular season, finishing 8-4 to secure a winning record for the first time since 2008. The eight wins are the most by KU in the regular season since 2007 and the Jayhawks have claimed consecutive bowl berths for only the second time in program history.

In 2022, Peterson assisted as the Jayhawks qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2008 and reached the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2009. Kansas started the season 5-0 and hosted ESPN’s College Gameday for the first time in program history.

He coached All-Big 12 First Team selection Cobee Bryant, who finished with three interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2022. He ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 12 passes defended in league play and totaled 38 tackles on the year.

Peterson joined Kansas’ staff on January 11, 2020, working the safeties. Prior to his arrival in Lawrence, Peterson had coached in five bowl games, including an appearance in the 2011 Cotton Bowl.

In his first season in Lawrence, Peterson coached Kansas’ Kenny Logan Jr., to a standout season, where the sophomore snagged a team-high two interceptions and 58 tackles. Logan was a game-changer for the KU secondary, recording four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one sack.

Peterson arrived at Kansas after serving as the defensive coordinator/safeties coach at New Mexico in 2019, where he oversaw the entire defense and held all duties associated with mentoring the Lobos’ safeties. Peterson was hired to coach the New Mexico safeties in 2017, before being promoted to defensive coordinator and safeties coach in 2019.

In his first two seasons at New Mexico, Peterson guided the safeties unit to lead the team in tackles, with Jake Rothschiller and Stanley Barnwell Jr., recording 76 tackles in 2018.

Prior to his time at New Mexico, Peterson coached at Fresno State for five seasons, from 2012-16, helping the Bulldogs to three consecutive bowl games and a 2014 Mountain West Championship game appearance and a 2013 Mountain West title. He served a variety of positions with Fresno State, coaching both the secondary and outside linebackers. He also has served as recruiting coordinator and a special teams coach.

Peterson excelled in his role of secondary coach at Fresno State, coaching that position in 2012 when Fresno State went 9-4 and ranked second nationally in pass defense and fourth in pass efficiency defense. He also mentored safety Phillip Thomas to Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2012.

Peterson got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant coach at Texas A&M in 2010 and 2011. That followed a four-year playing career with the Aggies, where he made 81 tackles and broke up 15 passes. He also forced two fumbles, recovered one fumble and picked off four passes. He returned one of those passes 48 yards for a touchdown against New Mexico. He was a two-time All-Big 12 Academic First Team selection, and he was a CoSIDA Academic All-Region selection in 2008.

Peterson received his bachelor’s degree in sport management from Texas A&M in 2009 along with his master’s in education curriculum and instruction in 2010. He graduated from Lexington High School in Central Texas, where he earned first-team all-state honors as a defensive back and honorable mention honors as a quarterback his senior year. He was named Texas Prep Xtra Central Texas MVP.

He and his wife Missy have three daughters, Ellie, Emery and Everly.

THE PETERSON FILE
Alma Mater: Texas A&M
Hometown: Lexington, Texas
Wife: Missy
Children: Ellie, Emery, Everly

Coaching Experience  
2023-PresentKansasDefensive Backs/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator
2022KansasSafeties
2021KansasDefensive Analyst
2020KansasSafeties
2019New MexicoDefensive Coordinator/Safeties
2017-19New MexicoSafeties
2012-16Fresno StateSecondary/Outside Linebackers
2010-11Texas A&MGraduate Assistant

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Texas A&M

 Bowl Game Experience 
YearBowlSchool
2023Guaranteed Rate BowlKansas
2022AutoZone Liberty BowlKansas
2014Hawaii BowlFresno State
2013Las Vegas BowlFresno State
2012Hawaii BowlFresno State
2011Meineke Car Care Bowl of TexasTexas A&M
2010Cotton BowlTexas A&M