And so it begins...(tracking Coach Prime decommits/transfers)

[HuskerGarrett]

Nvm. Dude seems legit…

Yesterday all these CU Twitter accounts were saying the announcement today would be a “huge surprise” “groundbreaking” that it would send shockwaves through cfb. Now they’re trying to justify a guy no one has heard of lol

 

[Stan Raymond]

Yesterday all these CU Twitter accounts were saying the announcement today would be a “huge surprise” “groundbreaking” that it would send shockwaves through cfb. Now they’re trying to justify a guy no one has heard of lol

Yeah, really a let down. They waited this long to hire a nobody, a guy that has zero DC experience and practically zero college experience. Hard for the CU blowhards to spin this into a great hire, but I'm sure they will try.

 

[Fitzjess21]

I'm really surprised he's a white guy. I figured hed hire a Ray Lewis, Warren Sapp or Ed Reed type hire.

 

[Stan Raymond]

I'm really surprised he's a white guy. I figured hed hire a Ray Lewis, Warren Sapp or Ed Reed type hire.

Bengals season has been over for a month. Livingston obviously wasn't the first choice. I wonder how many coaches turned it down?

 

[Link-]

I'm really surprised he's a white guy. I figured hed hire a Ray Lewis, Warren Sapp or Ed Reed type hire.

Technically, this could be considered a DEI hire for Prime.

 

[HCFord1]

Bengals season has been over for a month. Livingston obviously wasn't the first choice. I wonder how many coaches turned it down?

This guy must believe in himself to take this job. If he was really an up and comer in the NFL... might've been wise to grind that out for another season or two and get yourself an NFL coordinator job.

 

[Stan Raymond]

This guy must believe in himself to take this job. If he was really an up and comer in the NFL... might've been wise to grind that out for another season or two and get yourself an NFL coordinator job.

Definitely a risk. I have no reason to believe that their defense will be any good.

 

[stonesak]

Yeah, really a let down. They waited this long to hire a nobody, a guy that has zero DC experience and practically zero college experience. Hard for the CU blowhards to spin this into a great hire, but I'm sure they will try.

Maybe he'll be Colorado's Bo Pelini?

 

[Baron Winnebago]

Maybe he'll be Colorado's Bo Pelini?

Could be. I don't know that he's got John Blake talent leftover to walk into, but I'm sure he's a good coach. Hope he fails miserably though

 

[Steveweiser316]

Someone has to have a Zac Taylor contact that can give us the goods on this guy

 

[Tsakoi]

This is an underwhelming hire to say the least especially when you take into account all of the bluster coming out of Colorado that was saying how Prime is gonna bring in this top guy and that top guy. In the end a bunch of his new hires have been dudes with very little experience overall, not just at their primary role but coaching in general.

 

[nscottie]

I guess I’m of the wait and see mindset. Colorado started last year as the media darlings. As the season wore on, things fell apart.

They have some good players starting with their qb. Their problem was lack of cohesiveness and discipline. The way that team was thrown together and managed caused the problems. It was a bunch of individual players and no team. Prime put his sons above everyone else.

If they can get past that mentality, they could be very successful, I don’t think it’s possible with the head coach they have, but time will tell. Prime wants all the limelight for himself and sons. That doesn’t bode well for any assistants. Maybe he learned from last year, but doubtful.

 

[huskerj12]

List of Candidates for Prime: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...p&cvid=76d5867eaa0a40aa9c35bdad9b3e4876&ei=11

Some big name candidates are beginning to emerge for what will be a highly sought after defensive coordinator position with the Colorado Buffaloes. While Deion Sanders has not said definitively that Pat Shurmur will lead the offense, he is expected to be the full-time replacement for Sean Lewis.

As for the defense, Charles Kelly recently left for Auburn after a year in Boulder. The long-time assistant returns to his home state for a stint at his alma mater. There are many directions Sanders can go in replacing Kelly. It’s been reported that whoever he chooses will have significant NFL experience. Whether that means coaching, playing, or a combination of both, hasn't been determined.

Let’s separate some of the true contenders from those who have been randomly speculated about on social media.

The Favorites




Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports© Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Zimmer

As BuffsBeat reported several weeks ago, Mike Zimmer wants to return to coaching. Now, what exactly that means is very much to be determined. He would likely have head coaching opportunities at the college level, and at the very least, coordinator offers in the NFL. Zimmer, who turns 68 in June, said he has a great relationship with Coach Prime. He would be one of the most experienced candidates on the list.




Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ed Reed

Reed joining the staff makes too much sense. The Hall-of-Famer hasn't taken on a new opportunity since leaving Bethune-Cookman last year. He also held a senior management role for three years at Miami prior to becoming a head coach. Reed told the “Pivot Podcast” how Prime tried to recruit him to take over at Jackson State. He has also stated publicly his appreciation for Coach Prime during his very short tenure in Daytona Beach.




Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Rex Ryan

While this may seem like a long shot, if you have seen the video of Rex Ryan visiting Jackson State in 2021, it’s pretty obvious there’s mutual admiration.

The current ESPN analyst just turned 61 last month, and surprisingly, has been out of coaching since 2016. While I’m sure he’s enjoying the spotlight and paycheck that comes with his big network appearances, this is the kind of move that fits his personality. His defensive schemes would cause all kinds of havoc in the Big 12. It would be a dream scenario.




Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports© Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Staley

This would also make a ton of sense for Staley to be on Prime's staff. His name and reputation has been tarnished some during a rather tumultuous stint as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. But he could rebuild for the better at CU.

Personality wise, Staley is the opposite of “Prime Time.” Maybe it was the obnoxious bright blue backdrop, but It was painful watching him squirm during some of the most uncomfortable press conferences we have seen in recent memory.

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/spo...debut-with-colorado/vi-AA1llyag?ocid=msedgntp

I think making Staley co-defensive coordinator alongside a former player, like Reed, could be a winning formula for success in Boulder.

Other notable names

Tony Dungy

You want to make a splash hire? Why not go for a hall of famer?

He’s nearly the same age as Zimmer at 68 and hasn’t coached in 15 years. But this would be the kind of hire that would send a few shockwaves across the college football landscape. To be the best, you're going to need the best.

Ken Norton Jr.

Prime's former teammate from San Francisco continues to climb the coaching ranks at UCLAbia. Norton is well-liked and has been successful in a number of different capacities both in college and the NFL. He also has three years experience as a defensive coordinator under Pete Carroll in Seattle.

Mike Caldwell

We will have to see if any changes are coming for the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff. After an 8-3 start to the season, and ultimately missing the playoffs, a shake-up may be inevitable. This could lead to the current Jags DC becoming available. I don’t think fans would mind seeing him bring “Sacksonville” to Boulder next year.

Other Notables:


Lovie Smith

Like Dungy, a former head coach of the year in the NFL. He would bring credibility but there are questions on how much of an impact he would make with recruits. He was just 17-39 leading Illinois over the course of five seasons. However, Sanders has a better structure in place in Boulder than what Smith was given to work with in Champaign.

Ron Rivera

With Rivera's time now up in Washington, maybe Colorado presents a unique challenge that could be appealing to the veteran coach. Considering his “Riverboat Ron” moniker, perhaps him taking one more gamble on himself could lead a most satisfying conclusion in a distinguished coaching career.

Vance Joseph

Joseph is already in a bit of a weird situation as defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, who fired him as head coach a few years ago. The former Buffs alum decided to return to the Mile High City under Sean Payton. While Payton will likely survive any in-house turmoil, the future is unclear for Joseph. Whether he’s fired or resigns, an opportunity like CU, might be very attractive.

LOLLLL at the DC speculation from the past month and a half. For anyone who doesn't want to click on that tweet, the bottom half says:
"But the Defensive Coordinator that is coming in, buckle up 🤯🤯🤯! I can’t give you the name just yet, because of our relationship and the trust factor that we have. But the commitment to providing an NFL atmosphere is evident with this move. “They Comin”"

Zero chance this guy was describing the DB coach they just hired haha

 

[Fargo Husker]

Someone has to have a Zac Taylor contact that can give us the goods on this guy

Hopefully Taylor is hyping up his worst defensive assistant to try and pawn him off on the Buffs and help tear them down from the inside. #RestoreTheOrder

 

[MtnHusker]

Someone has to have a Zac Taylor contact that can give us the goods on this guy

or our former DB Cam Taylor-Britt who played for him

 

[Scarlet ObsessioN]

 

[Boondock_St_Sker]

Shadildo gonna be in the huddle like...you run to the light pole and go left...you take 5 steps and turn around...I'm gonna get sacked...

 

[Steveweiser316]

 

[Osborne1992]

If you make these announcements on Friday afternoon, I have no choice but to assume their shitty coaches and they don't want the headlines. At least prime has that part down.

 

[Irv]

Nvm. Dude seems legit…

This is amazing. He coached guys who intercepted passes.