Colorado hiring Sacramento State coach Brennan Marion as offensive coordinator
Colorado is hiring Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion as its new offensive coordinator, On3’s Pete Nakos reported. He just completed his first season as the Hornets’ head coach.
Marion previously served as the offensive coordinator at UNLV before heading to Sacramento State this season. The Hornets went 7-5 under his watch to finish tied for fourth place in the Big Sky, though the program is hoping to make the leap to FBS at some point.
Now, Deion Sanders and Colorado appear to be ready to bring the Go-Go offense to Boulder. During Marion’s last stint as an offensive coordinator, UNLV ranked among the best offenses in the Mountain West. The Rebels averaged 412.7 yards in his first year in 2023 – up from 352.4 in 2022 – and increased that number to 425.8 yards in 2024.
Colorado’s offense had an up-and-down 2025 season as three quarterbacks suited up. The Buffaloes averaged 328.4 yards per game, which ranked 15th out of 16 teams in the Big 12, and their 30.5 points per game ranked 13th in the conference.
CU also reportedly made a change during the regular season. USA Today’s Brent Schrotenboer reported Coach Prime demoted Pat Shurmur to quarterbacks coach, taking away play-calling duties following the Utah game and gave those responsibilities to tight ends coach Brett Bartolone.
Colorado went 3-9 this season, losing five straight games to end the year. Following the final game – a 24-14 loss at Kansas State – Sanders made it clear he planned to evaluate “everything” within the program and said coaching changes would also be in the cards.
Coach Prime specifically pointed out the “mentality” of his squad as an area to improve in 2026. He added it’s not just on one person to turn it around. It will require a group effort.
“Mentality,” Sanders said. “Personnel, coaching, everything. That’s what that looks like. This mentality, a certain mentality you got to have when that game is right there, and you could take it either way. When you take it this way all the time, that’s a problem on both sides. It’s not just a personal problem. There’s a personnel problem.”
In addition, Sanders did not absolve himself of any blame. He added he would be part of the changes in Boulder, as well.
“I see everything being different, even me,” Sanders said before emphatically repeating himself. “I see everything being different, even me.”
