Deion Sanders Begins Big Coaching Shake-Up After New OC Hire

Deion Sanders isn’t wasting any time rebuilding Colorado’s football program. After a rough 3–9 season, the Buffaloes are hitting reset, and the changes are already underway. With a new offensive coordinator in place, more staff moves are expected as Sanders tries to spark a major turnaround in Boulder.

Colorado insider Uncle Neely summed it up on The Pregame Network on December 5: “This staff is going to be revamped on both sides of the ball… You’re gonna have different assignments, changing within the program.” And he wasn’t exaggerating.

The biggest move so far is the arrival of Brennan Marion, Sacramento State’s head coach and the creator of the fast-paced “Go-Go” offense. Marion replaces Pat Shurmur, whose contract expired after the Buffs’ disappointing season. At just 38 years old, Marion becomes the third offensive coordinator of the Sanders era, following Sean Lewis and Shurmur.

Despite having Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter—two of the most electric players in the country—Colorado’s offense never found its rhythm in 2024. Deion Sanders made it clear after the season ended that more changes were coming, saying he’s evaluating “mentality, personnel, coaching, everything.”

Shurmur wasn’t the only coach feeling the pressure. Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston could be next, and running backs coach Marshall Faulk already departed for the head coaching job at Southern University. It’s clear that Deion Sanders wants a fresh start across the board.

But Marion might be the jolt Colorado’s offense desperately needs. He arrives after a solid 7–5 season at Sacramento State and two impressive years running the offense at UNLV. His track record includes creative schemes, strong recruiting, and player development—he even leaves Sacramento State with the No. 1 FCS recruiting class.

Marion’s Hornets averaged 33.8 points per game this season, ranking 20th in the FCS. His run-heavy, high-motion style could help Colorado find the spark it lost last year.

However, Deion Sanders’ full rebuild comes with a major challenge: money. Analyst Joe Pompliano reported on December 5 that Colorado’s athletic department is facing a massive $27 million deficit—less than a year after giving Deion Sanders a raise that pushed his salary over $10 million per season. The school has enjoyed huge national exposure under Sanders, bringing in an estimated $343 million in earned media in 2023, but that momentum hasn’t carried over to 2024.

Recruiting has also taken a hit. Colorado recently lost linebacker Mantrez Walker to the transfer portal, and 2026 safety D’Montae Tims flipped to Indiana. The Buffs now sit at No. 102 nationally and last in the Big 12 in total recruiting rankings, per 247Sports.

That’s where Marion could play a major role again. His latest recruiting class at Sacramento State ranked 77th nationally—well ahead of Colorado’s 103rd. One of the Buffs’ top targets is Sacramento State commit Xavier McDonald, and Marion may be key in trying to bring him to Boulder.

With more staff changes expected, Deion Sanders is betting big that this shake-up will set Colorado back on track. Only time will tell whether these bold moves can overcome the financial hurdles and recruiting setbacks standing in the way.

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