Hunter Hughes was named CSU-Pueblo's defensive coordinator in September.

Hughes rose through the ranks as a coaching assistant with two of the most prestigious Division I football programs in the country - University of Colorado and the University of Tennessee.

With the University of Colorado, Hughes was a defensive graduate assistant from 2003-2006, assisting in coaching various defensive positions as well as assisting in recruiting prospective CU students east of the Mississippi River. With the University of Tennessee, Hughes also served as a defensive graduate assistant, focusing chiefly on linebackers and defensive backs.

Hughes also has eight years of coaching experience at the high school level, serving as the assistant head coach at Brentwood (Tenn.) High School from 1997-2002, and as defensive coordinator at Overton (Tenn.) High School from 1994-1997.

In 2002, while serving as special teams coordinator, Brentwood won the Tennessee 5A State Championship.

Hughes received his Master's in physical education and sport management from Middle Tennessee State University in 2001. He and his wife, Stephanie, an assistant coach for the CSU-Pueblo softball team, live in Pueblo.