Colorado set to hire former Bengals DL Domata Peko

Colorado is expected to hire former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko as its defensive line coach, a source told On3 on Tuesday night. News broke last week that Colorado defensive line coach Damione Lewis is joining Miami’s staff, working with defensive tackles.

A former Michigan State player, Peko spent the 2024 season as an assistant on the Dallas Cowboys staff. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft, playing 10 seasons with the Bengals before having stints with the Broncos, Ravens and Cardinals before his retirement following the 2020 season. The defensive lineman finished his NFL career with 616 career tackles and 47 tackles for loss.

Peko was at Buffs workouts on Tuesday and has a relationship with Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston, who was a scout quality control assistant and safeties coach with the Bengals when Domato Peko was on the team.

NFL Hall of Fame defensive lineman Warren Sapp served as a senior quality control analyst for Colorado this past season and is expected to continue to play a key role in developing the Buffaloes’ defensive line.

Peko’s son, Joseph, is a three-star defensive lineman in the 2026 cycle who has picked up offers from USC, UCLA, Oregon and Miami, among others.

Colorado finished with a 9-4 record in Deion Sanders’ second season in Boulder, as the defense took a step forward and registered 39 sacks, which ranked No. 11 in the nation. The Buffaloes open the 2025 season on Aug. 30 against Georgia Tech.