Colorado Buffaloes, running out before the game against Arizona State University on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 (Remi Krupinski/CU Independent).
Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston is leaving the Colorado Buffaloes after just two seasons. He departs for a defensive pass coordinator position with the Denver Broncos, returning to the NFL after a two year hiatus.
Livingston found far more success during his first season in 2024, running a defense that specialized in neutralizing the pass and forcing turnovers. The unit ranked sixth in the Big 12 in points allowed and featured a handful of premiere talent that got recognition at the end of the season. Travis Hunter, who flexed as both an offensive receiver and defensive cornerback, won the 2024 Heisman award while B.J. Green II and Nikhai Hill-Green took home Big 12 honors.
His defense took a sizable step back in 2025, going from 46th to 112th in the country in opponent points per game. That Buffs team gave up 222.5 rushing yards per game, the second worst in all of FBS, and allowed blitzes of surrendering 53 points against Utah and 52 a week later against Arizona.
Head coach Deion Sanders and Colorado made an intentional change at offensive coordinator this winter, moving on to Brennan Marion, a fast-paced OC that comes from a record breaking year at Sacramento State. Now, Livingston’s decision left Sanders to elect Chris Marve as the new defensive coordinator, who got promoted after joining the team as the new linebackers coach this offseason.
This joins a large turnover of the Buffaloes’ coaching staff from 2025, with new faces at 12 different coaching roles. The program also saw exits of offensive pass game coordinator Brett Bartolone, defensive pass rush coordinator Warren Sapp and running backs coach Marshall Faulk, among others.
2026 will mark the first time in Colorado football history to have a Black head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator. They become just the third team in college football history to do so.
The Buffs have begun early practices in preparation for the Spring Game on April 11. The game will begin at 1 p.m. MT.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Baylan Wysuph at baylan.wysuph@colorado.edu.
