Colorado Football Names Brennan Marion New Offensive Coordinator

The University of Colorado football team and head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders have named Brennan Marion the Buffaloes' new offensive coordinator.

Marion comes to Boulder after a season as head coach of Sacramento State, where he inherited a team that went 3-9 and led the Hornets to a 7-5 record in his first year at the helm. Sacramento State averaged 33.8 points per game this season, ranking third in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets were a particular powerhouse on the ground, led by Rodney Hammond Jr, who averaged over 101 yards rushing per game with 13 touchdowns, second most in both categories in the Big Sky.

"We brought in a man that has shown he's creative, innovative, knowledgeable, smart and understands today's players," said Coach Prime. "He has made a difference on the field and off everywhere he's been."

"Humbled to be sought out by the best to ever do it in football- Coach Prime," said Marion. "It's my mission to make sure we put a great product on the field that the entire CU family can be proud of! Sko Buffs!"

Prior to becoming head coach of the Hornets, Marion established himself as one of the most dynamic and exciting offensive minds in the country as architect of the "Go-Go" offense. He served as offensive coordinator for two seasons at UNLV (2023-24), helping the Rebels to a 19-8 overall record and back-to-back bowl game berths. In 2024, UNLV ranked 14th in the FBS with a school-record setting average of 36.2 points per game. The team's average of 251.2 rushing yards per game would also be the most for the school in over 45 years. As a result, Marion was named one of five finalists for the Football Scoop Offensive Coordinator of the Year.

Following the 2023 season, Marion earned Mountain West Wire Coordinator of the Year honors and was a nominee for the prestigious Broyles Award in just his first season at UNLV. During that season, the team scored 40+ points in a school-record six games and had 24 points in a school-record 10 straight games. The Rebels finished sixth in the FBS in third-down conversions (49.3 percent), tied for eighth in red-zone offense (93.1 percent) and 22^nd in scoring (34.4 ppg).

Marion came to UNLV from Texas where he served under head coach Steve Sarkisian during the 2022 season as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. The Longhorns finished with a top 25 scoring offense (34.5 PPG) while Marion tutored Big 12 Conference receiving touchdowns leader Xavier Worthy, who became the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

In 2021, Marion coached Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison at Pittsburgh as wide receivers coach. The nation's top wideout was a consensus first team All-American after setting a school single-season record with 100 catches for 1,593 yards and an FBS-leading 17 touchdowns. He would become a first round NFL Draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings.

Prior to his arrival in Pittsburgh, Marion served as wide receivers coach at Hawaii in 2020 and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at William & Mary in 2019.

Marion's first NCAA Division I coaching opportunity came at Howard, where he posted two exceptional seasons (2017-18) as the Bisons' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Marion also coached the running backs at Oklahoma Baptist in 2016 and spent the 2015 season as an offensive quality control assistant at Arizona State.

A 2009 graduate of Tulsa, Marion was a record-setting receiver for the Golden Hurricane. In two seasons at Tulsa (2007-08), he compiled 2,356 yards on 82 receptions with 19 touchdowns. He was a two-time all-Conference-USA selection and the 2007 C-USA Newcomer of the Year. Marion set NCAA records for yards per catch in both a season (31.9 in 2007) and a career (28.7).

Prior to Tulsa, he was a standout at De Anza JC. In 2006, he led California's junior colleges with 1,196 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on 60 receptions. Following his collegiate playing career, Marion signed free agent contracts with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, as well as the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Marion was a four-year letterman in three different sports (football, basketball and track) at Greensburg Salem HS. Marion has four children, Mariah, Brennan, Melrose and Beverlee.
Per university policy, the University of Colorado Board of Regents must review and approve Marion's term contract.

MARION'S COACHING FILE
Present                  Colorado – Offensive Coordinator
2025                      Sacramento State – Head Coach
2023-24                 UNLV – Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks
2022                      Texas – Passing Game Coordinator, Wide Receivers
2021                     Pittsburgh – Wide Receivers
2020                      Hawai'i – Wide Receivers
2019                      William & Mary – Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks
2017-18                 Howard – Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks
2016                      Oklahoma Baptist – Running Backs
2015                      Arizona State – Offensive Quality Control Assistant
2014                      Waynesboro Area (PA) HS – Head Coach
2013                      St. Patrick-St. Vincent (CA) HS – Head Coach
2012                      The Harker School (CA) HS – Wide Receivers
2011                      West Valley (CA) CC – Wide Receivers

Colorado University Athletics

Colorado Football Names Brennan Marion New Offensive Coordinator

Related News

Related Videos