Chris Marve - Football Coach - University of Colorado Athletics

Weber State

Sep 12 (Sat)

1:30 PM

Chris Marve

Title:
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

Chris Marve joined the Colorado Buffaloes football staff in 2026 as defensive coordinator while continuing to coach the linebackers.

Marve arrived in Boulder after serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Virginia Tech from 2022–24. In his first season directing the Hokies defense in 2022, Virginia Tech showed significant improvement throughout the year while developing one of the ACC’s top young linebacker groups. The Hokies finished the season ranked among the top 25 nationally in total defense while ranking among the ACC leaders in scoring defense and sacks.

During his time in Blacksburg, Marve coached multiple all-conference defenders and helped develop one of the league’s most productive linebacking units. Linebacker Dax Hollifield earned All-ACC honors and became one of the conference’s leading tacklers, while a number of younger defenders emerged as key contributors as the defense improved during his tenure.

Prior to Virginia Tech, Marve spent two seasons at Florida State (2020–21) as defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach. During his time in Tallahassee, the Seminoles improved significantly in run defense while producing several of the team’s top tacklers. Marve helped mentor Jermaine Johnson II, who led the ACC in sacks and was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Marve also served as linebackers coach at Mississippi State in 2019, working under head coach Joe Moorhead and defensive coordinator Bob Shoop. The Bulldogs fielded one of the SEC’s top defensive units that season and ranked among the national leaders in total defense.

Before his time in Starkville, Marve spent three seasons coaching linebackers at Vanderbilt (2016–18). He originally joined the Commodores staff as a defensive quality control assistant in 2014 and was promoted to graduate assistant in 2015 before taking over the linebackers unit in 2016.

Over the course of his coaching career, Marve has worked with and developed numerous players who have gone on to play in the National Football League, including Jermaine Johnson II,
Willie Gay Jr., Brian Cole II, Oren Burks, Zach Cunningham and Stephen Weatherly.

Before entering coaching, Marve was one of the most decorated defensive players in Vanderbilt history. A four-year starter at linebacker, he earned All-SEC honors four times and finished his career with 397 tackles and 30 tackles for loss. He served as a team captain and helped lead the Commodores to consecutive bowl appearances during his career.

A native of Miami, Florida, Marve earned his degree from Vanderbilt in human and organizational development before beginning his coaching career.