Deion Sanders' coaching staff changes might lead to Byron Leftwich at Colorado

Coach Prime is ready to hit the ground running in year two with the Buffaloes

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes are already seeing some coaches leave and this is no surprise. Buffs tight ends coach Tim Brewster has left for Charlotte and former offensive coordinator Sean Lewis has accepted the head coaching job with the San Diego Aztecs. The next coach most likely to leave will be offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle, who also coached under Lewis at Kent State. This should be no shock given their coaching history. There could be more, but these will be the main three exiting out of Boulder.

Coach Prime will need to find an offensive coordinator, whether he keeps Pat Shurmur on the job or brings in someone like Byron Leftwich, who is rumored to be on the list. Both have NFL pedigree and Shurmur already has familiarity with the team and it would not be as drastic of a change. But under Shurmur CU did see their points and total yards go down and the Buffs were not able to make an impact in the run game or protecting Shedeur Sanders. The familiarity could be key in keeping Shurmur as OC. This would allow him to bring in more of the style of offense he wants to run with three receivers and a tight end that is used more on the line. The big question will be if Sanders still wants to spread the field and try to air the ball out.

Leftwich most recently was the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for four seasons until 2022, helping the Bucs to a Super Bowl win. He’s one of the few to have won a championship as both a coach and player with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Leftwich has also coached with the Arizona Cardinals. 

Being Tom Brady’s former offensive coordinator could help his cause knowing Sanders is deeply-involved with the NFL GOAT. Also, being a former quarterback himself could pay off big dividends as he knows what goes on as a QB and could bring more rapport in CU’s QB room. Leftwich worked under Bruce Arians as well who was a coach that was more than willing to air the ball out. Not to mention, Leftwich has been on the sideline in Boulder for games this year. 

The biggest change that needs to be addressed will be at the offensive line. Be it more recruits or better coaching, I firmly believe that O’Boyle will be making his way to San Diego to join Lewis. Whether he stays or goes, whoever the next coach will have to be much more disciplined on instilling fundamentals and technique into the Buffs revamped offensive line. It will be about bringing in new recruits, and yes hitting the transfer portal once again. Too many times under O’Boyle this season the Buffs lost the point of attack. They need to be better in how they use their hands against defenses and their body positioning with better footwork. Too many times they were beaten because of this.

With Shurmur possibly sticking around, one of the coaches that could make his way to CU could be former head coach and offensive line coach Mike Munchak. Munchak as a former player was one of the best offensive linemen to play for the Houston Oilers and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He helped turn Garrett Boles, who was one of the most penalized tackles in the NFL to one of the best and All-Pro. 

 No doubt he could come in and help turn around the Buffs O-line and make it stronger. With his family being in Colorado that could also be a big draw for him to take a job with the Buffs, if one were to open. As one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL this would be a steal for CU, and it brings more great leadership to a unit that clearly needs it.

More departures will come for CU’s coaching staff. The big question is who will be going and who will be coming in? We do know that former NFL great and Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp is coming to help the defensive line, which was one of the weakest spots on this team. Now for Prime it is about finding that right fit on the offensive side. Whether that is sticking with Shurmur or bringing in a new coach like Leftwich, this new offense must be better up front to win games and to stay healthy.