Colorado names Chris Marve as new defensive coordinator

Chris Marve served as both the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Virginia Tech for three seasons. (Photo via Virginia Tech athletics)

It was announced on Wednesday that Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston will be leaving Boulder to become the Denver Broncos’ defensive passing game coordinator. Taking over his role with the Buffs will be former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Chris Marve.

During Marve’s final season as the Hokies' defensive coordinator, they allowed the third-fewest points per game in the ACC, ahead of teams like Clemson, Miami and Georgia Tech. 

Marve was out of football during the 2025 season before Colorado announced it was hiring him as its linebackers coach in December. That role is where most of his career experience has come from, as he played linebacker in his college days and has served as the linebackers coach for four teams since 2016.

Marve played his college ball at Vanderbilt, where he was a Freshman All-American in 2008 and made three consecutive All-SEC Second-teams from 2009 to 2011. He ranks eighth in Vanderbilt history in career tackles with 398.

The former Commodore joined the Vanderbilt coaching staff as an assistant from 2014 to 2015, before taking his first positional role as its linebackers coach in 2016. He held the role until 2018, when he took the same position at Mississippi State in 2019. He made one more stop as Florida State’s linebackers coach from 2020 to 2021 before becoming Virginia Tech’s defensive coordinator.

While he also coached the linebackers while being the Hokies’ defensive coordinator, he may not be pulling double duty for the Buffaloes. 

Colorado’s linebackers coach since Dec. 2022 has been Andre’ Hart. When Marve was hired to take over the role, Buffs head coach Deion Sanders kept Hart on staff as an assistant linebackers coach. With Marve’s elevated role, Hart will likely return to his old role for the 2026 season.

The major coaching staff shakeup comes at a pivotal time for a new-look Buffaloes team. Colorado brought in 15 high school recruits and 40 incoming transfers during the offseason. This overhauled roster will begin spring practices on March 2, now with even more unfamiliarity among its ranks.

This storyline will be a major focus during spring practice, with Marve’s first showcase in the role set to take place at Colorado’s spring game on April 11.