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Colorado announces coaching staff changes, including addition of former NFL safety Vonn Bell

Ahead of this week's first spring football practice, Colorado announced 14 changes to its coaching/recruiting staff on Saturday.

Many of head coach Deion Sanders' latest hires/promotions were previously known, but the Buffs most notably confirmed Chris Marve's promotion to defensive coordinator, Dante' Carter's promotion to coach the defensive line, and the hiring of former NFL standout Vonn Bell to coach safeties.

Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks: Brennan Marion

As announced in December, Brennan Marion will take over as Colorado's offensive coordinator following one season as Sacramento State's head coach. The inventor of the "Go-Go" offense spent the prior two seasons as UNLV's offensive coordinator.

Defensive coordinator/linebackers: Chris Marve

Former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator (2022-24) Chris Marve was officially named Colorado's defensive coordinator, taking over for Robert Livingston, who left to become the Denver Broncos' defensive pass game coordinator.

Defensive line: Dante' Carter

Upon Domata Peko's departure to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sanders promoted former NAIA assistant Dante' Carter to coach Colorado's defensive line. Carter was previously the defensive line coach at Texas College in Tyler, Texas.

Cornerbacks: Aaron Fletcher

Former Abilene Christian co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks Aaron Fletcher is set to coach Colorado's cornerbacks, with Kevin Mathis now relegated to nickels. Fletcher also held roles at Tulsa, Arizona State, Missouri and Ole Miss.

Running backs: Johnnie Mack

Promoted offensive analyst Johnnie Mack will lead Colorado's running back room, taking over for Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk. Mack previously coached at North Texas, Houston Christian and Hawai'i.

Tight ends: Josh Niblett

After winning 281 games and seven state championships across four different schools as a high school football head coach, Josh Niblett is set to lead Colorado's tight ends. Brett Bartolone held the role the past two seasons, but is now Nevada's offensive coordinator.

Defensive analyst/safeties: Vonn Bell

With Robert Livingston now in Denver, former NFL safety Vonn Bell will work with Colorado's safety. Bell, who played for Livingston with the Cincinnati Bengals and visited Boulder last season, totaled eight interceptions in nine NFL seasons.

Sr. defensive analyst/linebackers: Clancy Pendergast

Clancy Pendergrast returns to coaching five years after holding an analyst role at UCLA in 2021. Before that, Pendergrast was the defensive coordinator at Cal (2010-12) and USC (2013, 2016-19).

Offensive analyst/running backs: Joc Upton

Former Houston Christian analyst Joc Upton will assist Mack in coaching Colorado's running backs.

Offensive analyst/tight ends: Kyle Wagner

Kyle Wagner followed Marion from Sacramento State to Colorado and will help Niblett lead the tight ends.

Offensive analyst/quarterbacks: Justin Houlihan

Colorado's two youngest quarterbacks — redshirt freshman Julian "JuJu" Lewis and class of 2026 signee Kaneal Sweetwyne — will work closely with Justin Houlihan, who also coached under Marion at Sac State last season.

Defensive analyst/defensive line: Kenny Ingram

Kenny Ingram previously coached defensive ends at UCF and made stops at Arkansas, Arkansas State, Cincinnati, Memphis and Tennessee State.

Director of player personnel: Darrius Darden-Box

Darrius Darden-Box, who was a quality control coach at Vanderbilt from 2018-22, spent the past three years as Colorado's director of recruiting and will now oversee player personnel.

Director of recruiting: Rashad Rich

Rashad Rich joined Sanders' staff in January after four years working in Penn State's recruiting department.

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