Josh Niblett won 45 games in four seasons as head coach at Georgia's Gainesville High School and in the process returned the Red Elephant program to Peach State prominence with a pair of appearances in Georgia's Class 5A State Championship.
Niblett, now with almost 300 career wins at the high school level in both Alabama and Georgia, is preparing to test his skills coaching at the collegiate level.
After the announcement Tuesday that Niblett is stepping away from the Gainesville program, multiple sources tell FootballScoop that he is expected to join the coaching staff of Deion Sanders at the University of Colorado program.
Gainesville officials noted in the school's release announcing the departure of Niblett that his departure is for an opportunity at the sport's next level.
"Coach Niblett’s impact on our program, our school, and our community over the last four years cannot be overstated," Gainesville Athletic Director Adam Lindsey said in the school's statement. "He brought a championship culture and a tireless work ethic every single day.
"While we are sad to see him go, we are incredibly grateful for the foundation he has built and wish him and his family nothing but the best as they begin this next chapter."
Sources told FootballScoop that Niblett is expected to join the offensive staff in Coach Prime's Colorado program. The Buffaloes need a new tight ends coach following the departure of Brett Bartolone to run the offense for Jeff Choate's Nevada Wolf Pack program.
Bartolone had been with Sanders since the two coached together in a record-setting run at Football Championship Subdivision program Jackson State, the storied HBCU institution, prior to the arrival of Sanders atop the Colorado program after the 2022 season.
Coach Prime is revamping much of his Colorado staff going into Year 4 in Boulder, Colorado. Brennan Marion, the former Sacramento State head coach and ex-UNLV offensive coordinator, is now the Buffs' offensive play-caller, replacing Pat Shurmur.
Marion becomes Coach Prime's third different offensive coordinator in his four seasons at Colorado, following Shurmur and his predecessor, Sean Lewis -- now the head coach at San Diego State following his split with Sanders after the 2023 season.
After a nine-win 2024 season featuring Heisman Trophy-winning two-way star Travis Hunter and star quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado is seeking to rebound in 2026 following its 3-9 2025 season that includes a five-game losing streak into the new year.
The Buffaloes are scheduled to open Year 4 under Coach Prime Sept. 5, 2026, at Brent Key's Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Buffaloes have a home game Sept. 12 against FCS program Weber State, an intersectional Big 12 Conference versus Big Ten Conference game at Northwestern and then the onset if Big 12 play.