Colorado Buffalos Invest Heavily in Offensive Line Coaching After Sacking Woes
The University of Colorado, under the leadership of head football coach Deion Sanders, has made a significant financial commitment to bolstering its offensive line coaching staff following consecutive seasons of struggling to protect the quarterback. The Buffaloes’ offensive line surrendered a concerning 43 quarterback sacks during the 2024 season, the most in the Big 12 Conference. The previous year, 2023, saw them give up a staggering 56 sacks, ranking them second-worst in the nation, according to data obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
These alarming statistics have prompted a major overhaul and investment in the offensive line coaching structure. The changes are driven by a desire to improve player protection, enhance offensive performance, and ultimately, achieve greater success on the field.
The most notable changes include the hiring of former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl offensive lineman Andre Gurode as an assistant offensive line coach. Gurode, who is also a former Colorado star, will receive a salary of $250,000 for his services. The move brings a seasoned professional with extensive NFL experience back to his alma mater, a strategy favored by Sanders.
Further demonstrating the commitment to improving the offensive line, Gunnar White has been promoted to co-offensive line coach, with a substantial pay raise to $275,000. Previously, White served as a quality control analyst for the Buffaloes, earning $73,000. The promotion signifies the university’s belief in White’s abilities and potential to contribute significantly to the coaching efforts.
Adding to the revamped coaching staff, George Hegamin, another former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman, has been moved to the position of co-offensive line coach, joining White. Hegamin’s salary is set at $250,000. He previously served as the team’s director of leadership and engagement, earning $100,000. His transition to a more hands-on coaching role further emphasizes the importance placed on experience and leadership within the offensive line unit.
These three coaching additions effectively replace Phil Loadholt, the offensive line coach from the previous year. Loadholt departed to accept a similar position at Mississippi State after earning $325,000 at Colorado. While Loadholt’s departure initially created a void, Sanders has seized the opportunity to create a larger, more experienced, and potentially more effective coaching staff.
The increased staffing and salaries for the offensive line coaching roles are made possible by a recent NCAA rule change. This change allows for an unlimited number of on-field coaches, lifting the previous limit of 10 assistant coaches plus the head coach. Sanders has capitalized on this rule to hire two co-offensive line coaches and an assistant line coach, providing more focused attention and expertise to the players.
Although the new NCAA rule allows for an unlimited number of coaches, the financial implications are still a factor. Teams must be able to fund these additional coaching positions while also preparing for potential future player compensation under the terms of pending legal settlements concerning name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.
Despite the increased investment, the combined salaries of the three offensive line coaches at Colorado still fall short of what some individual offensive line coaches earn at other universities. For instance, Jim Harding at Utah earned $850,000 last year. This highlights the disparity in resources and priorities among different college football programs.
Sanders’ approach to building his coaching staff relies heavily on hiring former NFL players. He believes that their professional backgrounds and name recognition will serve as a powerful recruiting tool, attracting talented players to Colorado even if the university cannot match the financial incentives offered by wealthier programs. The logic is that players are drawn to the opportunity to learn from coaches with proven success at the highest level of the sport.
Sanders recently hired former NFL defensive lineman Domata Peko to assist with coaching the defensive line, paying him $300,000 in his first season. This continues the trend of bringing in former professionals to mentor and guide the players.
Sanders has emphasized that the players who choose to play for him at Colorado are motivated by more than just financial gain. He believes they are drawn to the coaching staff and the vision he has for the program. According to Sanders, his players are pursuing a professional career and view college football as a stepping stone to achieving that goal.
In the realm of recruiting, major college football teams are limited to 11 "countable" coaches who are authorized to recruit off-campus. Sanders has adopted a distinctive strategy of refraining from off-campus recruiting himself. Many of his recent coaching hires, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk (running backs), also lack prior experience in college coaching or recruiting.
Gurode has coaching experience with the Cowboys and other professional football leagues. Hegamin has coached at the high school level. Peko previously served as an assistant coach with the Cowboys. This lack of traditional college experience may not be a hindrance, as Sanders prioritizes vision and potential over past accomplishments.
Robert Livingston, a former NFL assistant coach with the Cincinnati Bengals, is a prime example. Livingston had limited prior college coaching experience and no experience as a defensive coordinator before Sanders hired him to lead the defense last year. Despite his relative inexperience, Livingston’s defense led the Big 12 in quarterback sacks in 2024, contributing to the Buffaloes’ impressive 9-4 record after a 4-8 season in Sanders’ first year in 2023.
Colorado has rewarded Livingston’s success with a new two-year contract, increasing his salary from $800,000 to $1.5 million, a school record for an assistant coach. The university’s board of regents cited "prevailing market conditions and competitive employment agreement practices nationwide" as the rationale for the substantial raise.
Utah, a Big 12 rival, had the highest-paid public school defensive and offensive coordinators in the league last year, each earning approximately $2 million. This illustrates the financial pressures faced by universities seeking to attract and retain top coaching talent in a competitive landscape.
The comprehensive changes to Colorado’s offensive line coaching staff reflect a deep commitment to improving the team’s performance and protecting its quarterbacks. By investing in experienced coaches with NFL backgrounds, Deion Sanders hopes to elevate the program and attract talented recruits. The success of this strategy will depend on the coaches’ ability to develop the players, improve the offensive line’s performance, and ultimately, translate into victories on the field. The Buffaloes and their fans eagerly await the results of this significant investment.
