Joining the Knights for his first campaign, Blaise Winter was hired in February 2012 as UCF[apos]s defensive line coach. A native of Tappan, N.Y., Winter spent nine seasons in the NFL from 1984-94.
Opening his professional career with Indianapolis in 1984, Winter started 15 games as a defensive end for the Colts. He racked up 92 tackles with two sacks in his rookie season. Winter eventually suited up for San Diego in 1986 and 1987, then with Green Bay the next three years. While with the Packers, he totaled 108-combined tackles with seven sacks.
Winter returned to the Chargers in 1992 where UCF head coach George O[apos]Leary was in charge of the defensive line from 1992-93. Winter had 41 tackles with a career-high six sacks during that 1992 season, started all 16 games in 1993 and wrapped up his NFL career in 1994.
A second-round selection (No. 35 overall) by the Colts in the 1984 NFL Draft, Winter earned four letters for Syracuse from 1980-83 playing for O[apos]Leary who served as Winter[apos]s defensive line coach all four seasons.
Winter is married to Angie Winter, and served as a motivational speaker prior to accepting his current position at UCF.