The spotlight on Deion Sanders just got hotter in Boulder. As Colorado football prepares for its spring showcase, Coach Prime finds himself in a defensive scramble of his own, forced to rebuild his staff after a sudden and significant coaching exodus this week.
A Sudden Staff Shakeup
The Buffaloes' defensive leadership took a major hit when coordinator Robert Livingston agreed to join the NFL's Denver Broncos as their defensive pass game coordinator. This move, confirmed earlier this week, leaves a significant void in Sanders's operation. In response, reports indicate Sanders will promote linebackers coach Chris Marve to fill the defensive coordinator role.
The plot thickened just one day later when another bombshell dropped. Pass rush specialist and Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp has resigned from the Colorado staff. The university officially confirmed Sapp's departure in a statement, thanking him for his contributions over the past two seasons and noting his intention to "pursue other opportunities." Losing two key defensive minds in a 24-hour span has sent shockwaves through the program.
From Promise to Pressure
This staff turmoil arrives at a critical juncture for Sanders's tenure. After a dazzling debut season in 2024 that saw Colorado go 9-4 and reach the Alamo Bowl, the 2025 campaign was a stark reversal. The Buffaloes stumbled to a 3-9 record, managing just a single victory against Big 12 competition. The dramatic downturn cooled the once-white-hot hype surrounding Coach Prime's project.
Interestingly, Sanders opted against major staff overhauls immediately following the disappointing season. This week's departures, therefore, feel less like a controlled rebuild and more like an unexpected crisis. The loss of Livingston is particularly notable, as he was reportedly the highest-paid assistant in Colorado football history.
Fan Speculation Reaches Fever Pitch
The double departure has ignited a firestorm of speculation among the Colorado faithful and college football observers. Many fans are reading the tea leaves as a sign of Sanders's impending exit. Social media is buzzing with theories that this could be Coach Prime's final season in Boulder.
"This love story with Deion and Shedeur is now crashing down," one fan commented online, referencing Sanders's son and star quarterback. Another supporter wrote, "This is Deion's last year at Colorado. Respect him for going down with the ship and not resigning, though." Other theories suggest Sanders might be eyeing a return to television, with some fans pondering if he's positioning himself for a major broadcasting role once his current deal concludes.
The timing of the moves has also raised eyebrows. "Is it weird for all of this to be happening now?" asked another observer. "Not sure the cycles of all this coach movement, but it feels late."
A Coach's Promise
Amid the growing doubt, Sanders's own words from last November now carry greater weight. Following the dismal season, he made a passionate vow to Buffaloes supporters. "If anybody's built to reconcile and to get this back on course, it's me," Sanders declared. "And I will do it if it's the last thing I do on our Earth. Trust me when I tell you. This was the Last Supper."
That promise is now being tested like never before. The task ahead is monumental: Sanders must not only integrate new defensive leadership on the fly but also reverse the program's on-field fortunes. The upcoming season will serve as the ultimate referendum on whether Coach Prime can engineer a second miracle in Boulder or if the pressure has become too much to bear. All eyes will be on Colorado this fall to see if the Prime Time revival still has a pulse.
