Report: Colorado demotes offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur

Field Level Media|published: Wed 5th November, 12:22 2025

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Colorado coach Deion Sanders demoted offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur following last month's lopsided setback to Utah, USA Today reported Wednesday.

Shurmur, a two-time former NFL head coach, was tabbed as Sanders' offensive coordinator eight games into the 2023 season. Now, he reportedly serves as the quarterbacks coach for the Buffaloes (3-6, 1-5 Big 12), who dropped a 53-7 decision to the Utes on Oct. 25.

Tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Brett Bartolone called the plays last weekend in Colorado's 52-17 loss to Arizona.

When asked Tuesday if he'd consider making changes to jumpstart his offense, Sanders had a quick response.

"I might have already changed it, and you don't know," he said. "I don't do stuff and blow the whistles and make major announcements."

The Buffaloes are struggling to adjust to the departures of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter to the NFL.

Colorado will visit West Virginia (3-6, 1-5) on Saturday afternoon in Morgantown, W.Va.

Shurmur, 60, was 19-46 as a head coach for the Cleveland Browns (9-23 in 2011-12), Philadelphia Eagles (1-0 in 2015) and New York Giants (9-23 in 2018-19). He also was an offensive coordinator for the then-St. Louis Rams (2009-10), Eagles (2013-15), Minnesota Vikings (2016-17) and Denver Broncos (2020-21).

--Field Level Media