Four things to know about Marshall Faulk, Colorado’s newest running backs coach

Colorado running backs coach Marshall Faulk with players during the first day of spring practice last March. The Buffaloes hired Faulk in February. (Photo by CU Athletics)

Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes have been putting together an impressive coaching staff for this upcoming football season.

Not only is Sanders a Pro Football Hall of Famer, but he has added two more to his staff, graduate assistant Warren Sapp last offseason and running backs coach Marshall Faulk last February. 

Here are four things to know about CU’s newest running backs coach:

1. Faulk is one of the best NFL running backs of all time.

The Indianapolis Colts drafted him in 1994 as the number two overall pick from San Diego State. He quickly became a star in the league, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. He played five seasons with the Colts and seven for the St. Louis Rams. Faulk won MVP in 2000, the same year he won the Super Bowl with the Rams. He was named Offensive Player of the Year for three consecutive years, 1999, 2000 and 2001. He was also a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and six-time All-Pro.

2. He holds a spot in both major football halls of fame.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 alongside his new coaching partner, Sanders. In 2017, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, making him the second player from San Diego State to hold that honor.

3. This will be his first time as a coach.

In 2006, Faulk had to miss the season due to a knee injury, but that didn’t stop him from contributing to the league. He started as an NFL Network analyst on “NFL Total Access.” After that season, he announced his retirement as a player that is and stayed in his analyst role until 2017.

4. He’s no stranger to the Heisman Trophy.

Although Faulk didn’t win, he is a three-time Heisman candidate. He came in second place in 1992 after leading the nation in rushing with 163 yards per game. Faulk couldn’t win one, but now he could help a future running back take the title.

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Coach Faulk has an impressive resume that could help him in his new career as a coach. In his first press conference with CU on Mar. 14, the Hall of Famer made his aspirations clear.

“I don’t care how good you are,” Faulk said. “It’s how much better can we make you? Where can you get better?”

With a strong personality and the credentials to back it up, it’ll be interesting to see how Faulk’s first year plays out with the new title: “coach.”