Paul Creighton is entering his third season as the defensive line coach at Colorado State University-Pueblo.

In his first season helming the CSU-Pueblo defensive line, the ThunderWolves promptly put together its best season in school history in terms of team defense. The unit led the nation in scoring offense (leading to a national coordinator of the year honors for defensive coordinator Hunter Hughes) and on the defensive line, senior Grant Jansen was named All-American.

In his second year in 2012, the CSU-Pueblo rush defense was again a top 20 unit, allowing just 108 yards per game and just eight rushing touchdowns, sixth-least in the country.

Creighton came to CSU-Pueblo after serving as the defensive graduate assistant at the University of Colorado during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Creighton returned to his alma mater of Colorado after a stint at Auburn University where he was the graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach for two years, working with some athletes that went on to win the 2010 NCAA FBS National Championship.

Originally a walk-on at Colorado where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2006, he was placed on scholarship after just one semester. He ultimately played in 47 games at CU at tight end, fullback and special teams, seeing action in two bowl games.

A Tecumseh, Neb.-native, he graduated from Niwot High School in Niwot, Colo. in 2002. He is married to the former Kathleen Almon.