Colorado’s Deion Sanders Hires Phil Loadholt as Offensive Line Coach, per Report

Deion Sanders has chosen former NFL tackle Phil Loadholt to coach the Buffaloes' offensive line in 2024.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders just made what could be his most pivotal hire of the offseason. Former Vikings tackle Phil Loadholt is joining Sanders’s staff as the Buffaloes’ new offensive line coach, as first reported by BuffZone’s Brian Howell.

Loadholt has spent the last two seasons as an offensive line analyst for Oklahoma and will replace former Buffaloes offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle, who accepted a job at San Diego State earlier this week.

The Buffaloes’ offensive line has been considered one of the team’s weakest links after the unit allowed 56 sacks en route to Colorado's last-place finish in the Pac-12 in 2023. Having already lost two starters, Van Wells and Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, to the transfer portal, Colorado will look to Loadholt to help make key improvements in the trenches in 2024.

Colorado and coach Deion Sanders hope Phil Loadholt improves an underperforming offensive line.  :: Bryan Terry/USA Today

When Loadholt played for the Sooners back in 2008, he blocked for Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford and paved the way for two 1,000-yard rushers. He would later enjoy a six-year NFL career with Minnesota, where he blocked for Adrian Peterson and was part of the squad that won the NFC North crown in 2009.

Prior to the hiring announcement, Deion Sanders had glowing praise for Loadholt. 

“A guy with plenty of experience, plenty wherewithal, able to communicate to all the kids from top to bottom,” the Buffaloes coach said on Thee Pregame Show. “Track record is wonderful. Where he derived from is a tremendous Power 5, and I love everything about it. When he interviewed with me, he knocked it out of the park. He’s ready and prepared.”