BOULDER — There’s another gold jacket on the coaching staff at Colorado.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp has long talked about joining Deion Sanders’ staff. As the team opened its second week of spring practice Monday, the legendary defensive lineman officially began his role as a graduate assistant, a CU spokesperson confirmed to The Denver Gazette Tuesday.

Sapp said in Monday’s “Well Off Media” YouTube video from the pre-practice team meeting he is a “senior quality control analyst.” But working as a graduate assistant will actually allow him to work on the field with players, as opposed to an analyst role that is limited to assistance with the coaching staff.

Sapp has also enrolled in CU Boulder’s graduate school, taking education courses after recently completing his undergraduate degree at Texas Seminary Christian University in December.

“You’ll hear me before you see me most of the time,” Sapp told the team. “Big fellas: stance, alignment and assignment — that’s where we gonna start. We’re gonna pour concrete because you know I like stuff and we building mansions here. That’s where I’m here, to help you build your mansion and foundation. Anything you need, come see me.”

The move has been in the works for months. Sapp was around the team as a guest last summer and was on the sidelines for a handful of Buffs games in the fall. Tuesday was officially his first practice as a member of the staff.

“Just like he was last year when he showed up, he’s full of energy,” linebacker Trevor Woods said.

While Sapp made it clear he was interested in joining the CU staff in any capacity, Sanders gave an indication toward the end of the season that Sapp officially coming on board was soon to be a reality.

“I’m excited about Coach Sapp,” Sanders told Mark Johnson, the voice of the Buffs on 850 KOA, on his coach’s show in November. “He’s a dear friend that I love to life. He’s going to be invaluable with what he brings to the table. The kids are going to love him. … The recruits as well, they’re going to love him.”

While Sapp has no previous coaching experience, graduate assistant positions are often viewed as entry-level jobs. His NFL resume suggests Sapp knows what it takes to be a great defensive lineman.

During his Hall of Fame career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders, Sapp was a six-time All-Pro defensive tackle, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and helping Tampa Bay to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.

The hiring of Sapp doesn’t come without its questions, though. The Florida native twice was arrested in his post-playing days — first in February 2010 for domestic battery while in Miami to help the NFL Network’s coverage of the Super Bowl, second in February 2015 for suspicion of assault and solicitation of a prostitute. Charges were dropped or dismissed in each case, but Sapp’s contract with the NFL Network was terminated after the 2015 incident.

“Warren Sapp successfully completed all of the necessary steps required of anyone who is employed at CU Boulder, including a background check,” CU said in a statement. “Athletic Director Rick George personally met with Warren to clearly articulate the department’s standards and expectations, to which he acknowledged and agreed.”

Now that he has a fellow Hall of Famer on his staff, Sanders has some requests for Buffs fans.

“The big fella needs activities because that’s who he is,” Sanders said in a ‘Well Off Media’ video. “We gotta keep him busy. He loves to golf, he loves to hunt, he loves to fish. Whenever you see him out, I want y’all to give (him) love.”

Sapp is ready to embrace his new home.

“I give love back,” he said.