Cort Dennison Named Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
December 19, 2025 | Football
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Cort Dennison will join the Oregon State football program as Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach, Head Coach JaMarcus Shephard announced Friday.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cort Dennison in how he played and the job he has done throughout his career getting his players to play in his image," Shephard said. "He will do the same thing at Oregon State University, while also recruiting and acquiring the best talent from around the country. He is truly going to be a valued member of this staff and provide the necessary talent and skills to help our young men develop."
Dennison spent this past season at the University of Idaho as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach and led the Vandals' defense to one of the best in the Big Sky Conference. He has also made stops at Missouri State, Utah, Louisville and Oregon.
"I can't wait to get to Corvallis and work with Coach Shephard," Dennison said. "I have always had respect for the Oregon State football program, and I am thrilled to help develop a team that Beaver fans can be proud of."
The appointment is contingent on the completion of all university hiring processes.
During the 2025 season, Dennison led an Idaho defensive unit that had PFF grades of first in the Big Sky in rushing defense (92.9) and second in total defense (90.5). Statistically, the defense finished third in the conference in total defense (382.5 ypg) and fourth in scoring defense (26.4 ppg).
He coached Isiah King to unanimous First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors with 79 tackles and three sacks, and Dylane Lane to All-Conference honorable mention recognition with 88 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss.
Dennison was the linebackers coach at Missouri State in 2024 and a defensive quality control assistant at Utah during the 2023 season.
Before his return to his hometown of Salt Lake City, Dennison spent two stints at Louisville where he served as defensive coordinator from 2019 through 2021. He also served four years on the Louisville staff from 2014-17 in a variety of coaching roles, including defensive graduate assistant (2014), director of on-campus recruiting (2015), assistant secondary coach and recruiting coordinator (2016), and inside linebackers coach and co-special teams coordinator (2017).
During his time at Louisville, he coached ESPN Freshman All-America LB Dorian Etheridge who had a team-high 83 tackles in 2017.
Dennison spent one season at the University of Oregon as an outside linebackers coach for the 2018 Redbox Bowl champions. He mentored NFL Draft selections Justin Hollins and Jalen Jelks who both earned First Team All-Pac 12 accolades.
Dennison attended the University of Washington and started all 13 games at inside linebacker as a senior in 2011. He had 15 tackles in the Alamo Bowl against Baylor and earned All-Pac-12 second-team honors after posting 128 tackles in his final collegiate season.
He was a standout tight end and linebacker at Judge Memorial High School in Salt Lake City where he was named the Utah Athlete of the Year by the Salt Lake Tribune his senior year.
Dennison graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in communications in 2011. He later earned his Master's in sports administration from Louisville in 2015.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cort Dennison in how he played and the job he has done throughout his career getting his players to play in his image," Shephard said. "He will do the same thing at Oregon State University, while also recruiting and acquiring the best talent from around the country. He is truly going to be a valued member of this staff and provide the necessary talent and skills to help our young men develop."
Dennison spent this past season at the University of Idaho as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach and led the Vandals' defense to one of the best in the Big Sky Conference. He has also made stops at Missouri State, Utah, Louisville and Oregon.
"I can't wait to get to Corvallis and work with Coach Shephard," Dennison said. "I have always had respect for the Oregon State football program, and I am thrilled to help develop a team that Beaver fans can be proud of."
The appointment is contingent on the completion of all university hiring processes.
During the 2025 season, Dennison led an Idaho defensive unit that had PFF grades of first in the Big Sky in rushing defense (92.9) and second in total defense (90.5). Statistically, the defense finished third in the conference in total defense (382.5 ypg) and fourth in scoring defense (26.4 ppg).
He coached Isiah King to unanimous First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors with 79 tackles and three sacks, and Dylane Lane to All-Conference honorable mention recognition with 88 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss.
Dennison was the linebackers coach at Missouri State in 2024 and a defensive quality control assistant at Utah during the 2023 season.
Before his return to his hometown of Salt Lake City, Dennison spent two stints at Louisville where he served as defensive coordinator from 2019 through 2021. He also served four years on the Louisville staff from 2014-17 in a variety of coaching roles, including defensive graduate assistant (2014), director of on-campus recruiting (2015), assistant secondary coach and recruiting coordinator (2016), and inside linebackers coach and co-special teams coordinator (2017).
During his time at Louisville, he coached ESPN Freshman All-America LB Dorian Etheridge who had a team-high 83 tackles in 2017.
Dennison spent one season at the University of Oregon as an outside linebackers coach for the 2018 Redbox Bowl champions. He mentored NFL Draft selections Justin Hollins and Jalen Jelks who both earned First Team All-Pac 12 accolades.
Dennison attended the University of Washington and started all 13 games at inside linebacker as a senior in 2011. He had 15 tackles in the Alamo Bowl against Baylor and earned All-Pac-12 second-team honors after posting 128 tackles in his final collegiate season.
He was a standout tight end and linebacker at Judge Memorial High School in Salt Lake City where he was named the Utah Athlete of the Year by the Salt Lake Tribune his senior year.
Dennison graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in communications in 2011. He later earned his Master's in sports administration from Louisville in 2015.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
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