Colorado to hire Brennan Marion from Sacramento State as offensive coordinator

Colorado is reportedly preparing to hire Brennan Marion, currently the head coach at Sacramento State, to serve as their offensive coordinator. This move will mark the third time in four seasons that the Buffaloes have changed offensive coordinators under head coach Deion Sanders.

Marion spent the 2025 season leading Sacramento State. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as UNLVs offensive coordinator, where his offense averaged over 34 points per game and helped the team reach an 11-3 record in 2024, finishing No. 23 in the AP poll.

During the 2025 season, Colorado struggled offensively. Former NFL head coach Pat Shurmur acted as the teams offensive coordinator for much of the year but relinquished play-calling duties as Sanders sought to revive the offense. The team went 3-9, cycling through three starting quarterbacks, including Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, Ryan Staub, and freshman Julian Lewis, who preserved his redshirt status by sitting out the final game.

Marions coaching career spans multiple programs across the country. After beginning as a quality control coach at Arizona State in 2015, he went on to coach at Oklahoma Baptist, Howard, William & Mary, Hawaii, Pitt, and Texas, where he served as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2022. Marion played wide receiver at the University of Tulsa.

At Sacramento State, Marion led the Hornets, an FCS program aiming to transition to FBS. However, their application to compete at the FBS level as an independent team in 2026 was rejected earlier this year.

Colorados previous offensive coordinators under Sanders included Sean Lewis, who was promoted when Sanders arrived in 2023, and Shurmur, who assumed play-calling duties after Lewis struggled in his role. Marions arrival is expected to bring new energy and direction to the Buffaloes offense as they rebuild following the departure of star players Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders to the NFL.

Analysis: Colorado's Offensive Reset

The reported hiring of Brennan Marion as Colorado's offensive coordinator reflects a continued effort by head coach Deion Sanders to stabilize a struggling offense. This will be the third coordinator change in four seasons, highlighting the urgency for consistent leadership in the offensive unit.

Marion brings a strong track record, having led UNLV to an 11-3 season in 2024 with an offense averaging over 34 points per game. His experience across multiple programs and positions, including passing game coordinator at Texas, suggests he has the versatility to address the Buffaloes' varied offensive challenges.

Colorado's 2025 season exposed significant instability, with three starting quarterbacks cycling through and the offense underperforming despite Pat Shurmur’s involvement. Marion’s appointment signals a clear intent to rebuild and inject structure, particularly as the program transitions after the departures of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders to the NFL.

While his success at Sacramento State came at the FCS level, Marion's past achievements at higher-tier programs provide a foundation for optimism. The Buffaloes will be looking for immediate improvements in play-calling, quarterback development, and overall scoring consistency as they prepare for the 2026 season.

Sources:

• Colorado reportedly hiring Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion as offensive coordinator