Colorado University Athletics
Ashley Ambrose To Return To Coach For The Buffaloes
January 18, 2018 | Football
Ambrose makes his return to Colorado, ShaDon Brown named the defensive passing game coordinator on Mike MacIntyre’s staff
BOULDER – Ashley Ambrose, a former All-Pro who played 13 years in the NFL and was a former assistant coach at the University of Colorado from 2008-10, has been hired to coach the cornerbacks for the Buffaloes, head coach Mike MacIntyre announced Thursday.
Ambrose, the 1996 AFC Defensive Back of the Year, spent the past two seasons at Boise State serving as its defensive backs coach and in his nine years coaching in college has mentored 10 defensive backs that have earned all-conference honors.
"We're really excited about Ashley Ambrose coming to the University of Colorado, he brings great expertise for our corners that he'll be coaching," MacIntyre said. "He was here before, loved it then and I am glad to have him back now. Not only does he bring great coaching experience over the last few years, but he also brings phenomenal playing experience from being in the NFL, so he'll add a lot to our secondary."
Among the DBs that he has guided to all-conference honors were CU's Jimmy Smith, a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2010, and Jalil Brown, 2010 All-Big 12 honorable mention. Smith was taken 27th overall in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft while Brown was selected in the fourth round by the Kansas City Chiefs.
"It's really a blessing for us and I'm excited about the opportunity," Ambrose said of making his return to Colorado. "I know we are going to win a lot of football games and I am excited to be a part of it.
"The staff seemed very energetic, great guys to work with. I got a chance to talk to those guys and I'm looking forward to working with them. I'm excited about the young corners that they have there and to work with them to try to help them become better football players and young men."
In the past two seasons at Boise State, CB Tyler Horton drew first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2017 while S Kekoa Nawahine (2017), S Chanceller James (2016) and CB Jonathan Moxey (2016) all garnered second-team honors playing under Ambrose.
In 2015 he coached the cornerbacks at Texas State, held the same position at Idaho in 2014 and from 2011-12, was the secondary coach at California. Ambrose spent the 2013 season as an intern with the New Orleans Saints.
He began his coaching career in 2006 as an intern with the Atlanta Falcons.
A second-round draft pick out of Mississippi Valley State in 1992, Ambrose played 13 seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts (1992-95), Cincinnati Bengals (1996-98), Atlanta Falcons (2000-02) and New Orleans Saints (1999, 2003-04). He was named an All-Pro and AFC Defensive Back of the Year in 1996 after recording a career-best eight interceptions (second-most in the league) with the Bengals. Over 192 games played (of which he started 141), Ambrose hauled in 42 interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. He also broke up 35 passes and registered 514 tackles (464 solo).
ShaDon Brown To Add Duties As Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
MacIntyre also announced Thursday that ShaDon Brown, who just finished his first season coaching the secondary for the Buffaloes, will add duties as defensive passing game coordinator.
Ambrose will coach the corners and Brown will lead as the passing game coordinator while mentoring the safeties under defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot.
"I'm excited about it and the good thing is working with D.J. Eliot, who is a defensive coordinator who gives his assistant coaches an opportunity to have input in the game plan," Brown said. "It will be a good working relationship in that facet. I'm just excited to continue to build on what we started and I think the future is bright with the talent we will be working with in 2018."
In his first season in Boulder, the Buffaloes only allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 55.8 percent of their passes, which ranked in a tie for the fourth lowest opposing completion percentage in the Pac-12.
"I think we made some strides with the younger players that we were able to play a lot," Brown added. "We have those guys coming back, so I am excited about the future of what we have coming back as well as kids that we have recruited. We have been able to put together a solid 2018 recruiting class that and I think both will propel us into next season."
Ambrose, the 1996 AFC Defensive Back of the Year, spent the past two seasons at Boise State serving as its defensive backs coach and in his nine years coaching in college has mentored 10 defensive backs that have earned all-conference honors.
"We're really excited about Ashley Ambrose coming to the University of Colorado, he brings great expertise for our corners that he'll be coaching," MacIntyre said. "He was here before, loved it then and I am glad to have him back now. Not only does he bring great coaching experience over the last few years, but he also brings phenomenal playing experience from being in the NFL, so he'll add a lot to our secondary."
Among the DBs that he has guided to all-conference honors were CU's Jimmy Smith, a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2010, and Jalil Brown, 2010 All-Big 12 honorable mention. Smith was taken 27th overall in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft while Brown was selected in the fourth round by the Kansas City Chiefs.
"It's really a blessing for us and I'm excited about the opportunity," Ambrose said of making his return to Colorado. "I know we are going to win a lot of football games and I am excited to be a part of it.
"The staff seemed very energetic, great guys to work with. I got a chance to talk to those guys and I'm looking forward to working with them. I'm excited about the young corners that they have there and to work with them to try to help them become better football players and young men."
In the past two seasons at Boise State, CB Tyler Horton drew first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2017 while S Kekoa Nawahine (2017), S Chanceller James (2016) and CB Jonathan Moxey (2016) all garnered second-team honors playing under Ambrose.
In 2015 he coached the cornerbacks at Texas State, held the same position at Idaho in 2014 and from 2011-12, was the secondary coach at California. Ambrose spent the 2013 season as an intern with the New Orleans Saints.
He began his coaching career in 2006 as an intern with the Atlanta Falcons.
A second-round draft pick out of Mississippi Valley State in 1992, Ambrose played 13 seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts (1992-95), Cincinnati Bengals (1996-98), Atlanta Falcons (2000-02) and New Orleans Saints (1999, 2003-04). He was named an All-Pro and AFC Defensive Back of the Year in 1996 after recording a career-best eight interceptions (second-most in the league) with the Bengals. Over 192 games played (of which he started 141), Ambrose hauled in 42 interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. He also broke up 35 passes and registered 514 tackles (464 solo).
ShaDon Brown To Add Duties As Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
MacIntyre also announced Thursday that ShaDon Brown, who just finished his first season coaching the secondary for the Buffaloes, will add duties as defensive passing game coordinator.
Ambrose will coach the corners and Brown will lead as the passing game coordinator while mentoring the safeties under defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot.
"I'm excited about it and the good thing is working with D.J. Eliot, who is a defensive coordinator who gives his assistant coaches an opportunity to have input in the game plan," Brown said. "It will be a good working relationship in that facet. I'm just excited to continue to build on what we started and I think the future is bright with the talent we will be working with in 2018."
In his first season in Boulder, the Buffaloes only allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 55.8 percent of their passes, which ranked in a tie for the fourth lowest opposing completion percentage in the Pac-12.
"I think we made some strides with the younger players that we were able to play a lot," Brown added. "We have those guys coming back, so I am excited about the future of what we have coming back as well as kids that we have recruited. We have been able to put together a solid 2018 recruiting class that and I think both will propel us into next season."
Colorado Football Postgame Press Conference at Utah
Sunday, October 26
Colorado Football Press Conference
Friday, October 24
Colorado Football Weekly Press Conference
Friday, October 24
Colorado Football Coaches Show | Presented by Aflac | 10.23.25
Friday, October 24