Staff Directory
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Veteran collegiate assistant Cherokee Valeria was hired as Kent State’s defensive backs coach in 2025 following a standout run at Sacramento State, where he served as defensive passing game coordinator from 2019 to 2024.
Valeria made an immediate impact during his first season at Sacramento State, helping the Hornets lead the Big Sky in defensive pass efficiency and red zone defense. The team more than doubled its interceptions from the previous year, jumping from five in 2018 to 11 in 2019. His unit featured standout Daron Bland, a first-team all-conference cornerback who went on to play in the NFL, and safety Caelan Barnes, a second-team honoree.
In 2021, Valeria’s group produced three all-Big Sky selections, led by first-team nickelback Marte Mapu. Mapu broke out with 65 tackles, 10 PBUs, four interceptions, and four TFLs. He would later become Sacramento State’s first-ever Big Sky Defensive MVP in 2022 and the highest NFL draft pick in school history, going in the third round to the New England Patriots.
That 2022 season also saw Caleb Nelson earn second-team all-league honors, highlighted by a 98-yard pick-six in his debut. In 2023, Valeria coached first-team all-Big Sky safety Cameron Broussard and honorable mention cornerback Dillon Juniel. Safety Murvin Kenion III led the DBs with 51 tackles the following year and started all 12 games, pacing a secondary that produced eight interceptions.
Before Sacramento State, Valeria spent seven seasons at Eastern Washington (2012–2018), where he coached 10 all-Big Sky cornerbacks and served as recruiting coordinator for his final three years. His tenure included five FCS Playoff appearances and a 2018 FCS National Championship game trip. Among his standouts was T.J. Lee III, a two-time All-American and future CFL standout.
Earlier stops included Southeast Missouri (2011), Cal Poly (2010), and Idaho State (2007–09), where he coached D.J. Clark to two all-conference honors and an NFL career. Valeria began his college coaching career at Central Washington (2005–06), where both starting corners earned first-team all-conference recognition and the defense ranked 11th nationally in turnover margin.
He also has professional minor league experience, including being named the 2004 Northwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year after a playoff run with the West Sound Saints. Valeria began coaching at the high school level in Washington State from 1998 to 2004.
A former wide receiver at Central Washington from 1993–97, Valeria helped lead the Wildcats to the 1995 NAIA National Championship. He earned a degree in biology in 1999, and the 1995 team was inducted into the CWU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.
He and his wife, Mindy, were married in July 2017. He has two sons, Cameron and Ayosgi Uwasa, and a daughter, T’Kia Li.
