Coach Prime's new coordinators prep for spring ball

Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders speaks to the media for the first time during spring practice. (Photo by Oliver Hayes/Sko Buffs Sports)

Colorado’s spring game is just over a month away, and with the date of April 11 looming, new faces will have to be acquainted fast. 

This offseason, Colorado brought in Brennan Marion to be the offensive coordinator and promoted recently hired linebackers coach Chris Marve to coordinate the defense. Joining a three-win program, both coaches will have work to do this spring to turn things around. 

“You’re mainly looking for coordinators that have that head coach feel,” head coach Deion Sanders said. “I want them to be the head coach of the offense, the head coach of the defense…We have these type of men in-house.”

The roster overhaul in the transfer portal means new players for the Buffaloes as well. As the pads begin thumping, things have started to settle in at practice. 

Offensively, Marion’s “Go-Go” scheme will be the primary adjustment for the group to make. A powerful, up-tempo run game that creates opportunity in the passing lanes has players excited about his addition to Boulder. 

Wide receiver Danny Scudero, who was a Biletnikoff semi-finalist and hauled in 1,297 yards, came to Colorado with big expectations for the system. 

“Coach Marion’s offense is definitely a very complex offense, and its a very fun offense to be a part of,” Scudero said. “He’s a great offensive mind, and he has a lot of different ways of getting people the ball. He’s a winner, and he does what it takes to win.” 

Working with returning quarterback Julian Lewis, the skill positions have been studying the playbook to learn the complex schemes. Wide receivers DeAndre Moore jr. and Kam Perry 

New and returning Colorado players have relied on guys like running backs Damien Henderson, Jaquail Smith and wide receiver Ernest Campbell, who came over with Marion from Sacramento State, to better understand the offense. 

With a heavy dose of 21 personnel (two running backs, one tight end) their will be plenty of opportunity for the Buffs’ running backs to get the ball. Along with Smith and Henderson, Micah Welch and DeKalon Taylor return for Colorado, and adding Richard Young to the mix creates a five-back rotation. 

“Not just only me, but the other backs, we all fit into (Marion’s scheme),” Young said. “We all got the mentality that when one eats, we all eat.” 

Spring will be a chance for players to work through mental mistakes and learn to feel the “Go-Go” offense in person. 

Looking to rebrand the defense, Marve brings an in-your-face attitude to motivate his players. As a former linebacker, his scheme is aggressive and demands the fundamentals. 

“Situationally, you need to be very efficient to exceptional,” Marve said. “I’m talking third down, redzone, understanding personnel, how offenses are attacking you. I’ve never seen a championship defense with 10 people; it takes all 11.” 

Like Marion, he will be dealing with the challenge of teaching an entirely new group of players. The linebacking room welcomed in Liona Lefau, Gideon Lampron and Tyler Martinez to replace the vacancies. The defensive side was hurt the most in the portal, with expectations now riding high on new players. 

“He’ll demand excellence out of you. I appreciate that because at the end of the day were all trying to be the best version of ourselves,” Lefau said. “He’s just pushing our whole defense.” 

Stopping the run will be important for the team to learn during the spring. Last season the Buffs gave up over 215 yards per game on the ground and lost coaches Domata Peko and Warren Sapp.

Graduate assistant Dante Carter has stepped into the role of defensive line coach and will be welcoming in Ezra Christensen and Santana Hopper as key additions to the room. 

“Run-stopping is all about mentality, “Martinez said. ‘Third and one, game on the line, mono versus mono. It all starts with mentality.”

The Buffs have been implementing more zone defense during practice, instead of man, relying on players’ intelligence over athleticism. That will be one of the notable changes from former coordinator Rob Livingston to Marve. 

Transfer safeties Boo Carter and Randon Fontenette have been active during the early weeks of practice, while cornerback Cree Thomas has started to pair well with returner RJ Johnson. Competition will be elevated throughout the spring, and new names are bound to rise in the process. 

Notably, Coach Prime shared that the Buffs would not have a special teams coordinator this year but would instead rely on the entire staff to contribute. March is the tip of the iceberg for the 2026 Colorado football team.