In college football, players are not the only ones to leave a school; coaches also depart programs. While many assistants depart quietly, others leave with a bit more fanfare. Colorado’s former pass rush coordinator recently opened up about what drove him to head to Boulder originally.
Former Colorado Pass Rush Coach Warren Sapp Discusses Why He Chose CU
Throughout his Hall of Fame career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders, Warren Sapp earned a reputation for his candor. This February, the NFL legend parted ways with the university after two seasons on staff. In a recent interview with rapper Luther Campbell, Sapp discussed why he wanted to work for head coach Deion Sanders.
“That’s why I came to Colorado to help Deion get a championship,” Sapp said. “It’s going to perpetuate so many more to be in a position of that situation and the power and be able to lead brothers.”
Initially, Sapp began his Colorado journey as a senior quality control assistant and a graduate assistant with the Buffaloes. In 2024, Sanders promoted him to pass rush coordinator. During his first year in the role, Colorado’s defense landed at the No. 27 spot in the PFSN CFB Defense Impact Rankings. Last year, the defense plummeted 50 spots as the pass rush mustered just 13 sacks, with no player recording more than 2.5.
In the interview, Sapp mentioned wanting to help Sanders succeed because of the lack of Black head coaches in college football. With 136 member schools, only 13 or 9.5%, of the head coaching jobs are held by Black men. While 20% of Division I college athletes are Black across all sports, that number reaches 40% in football.
Meanwhile, the program in Boulder has faced significant turbulence. The team is coming off a 3-9 season that saw a mass exodus of talent. Offensive lineman Jordan Seaton, a standout for the Buffaloes, recently transferred to LSU. Additionally, alumni like Christian Fauria have publicly criticized Sanders’ leadership.
Sanders has also dealt with recurring medical problems, including blood clots that limited his presence during spring practices. Sapp has not yet announced his next coaching move, leaving his professional future uncertain.
In the offseason, Sanders hired Brennan Marion as the new offensive coordinator. Marion, who previously served as the head coach at Sacramento State, brings his signature “Go-Go” offense to Boulder. The system thrives on unbalanced sets and misdirection, and Sanders has reportedly granted Marion significant autonomy to run the offense without oversight.
The Buffaloes start their 2026 season in Atlanta on September 3, facing Georgia Tech.
