Deion Sanders is elevating quality control analyst Pat Shurmur to offensive play-caller for Colorado's game with Oregon State on Saturday. Brett McMurphy of The Action Network was first to share the news which has now been confirmed by others.
Offensive coordinator Sean Lewis will remain on staff and signal in plays for the Buffs' game with the Beavers.
To make the move, Sanders would have to remove one coach from Colorado's on-field staff. It was unknown at press time who would be demoted, and whether that demotion will be permanent or temporary.
Shurmur is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. He coordinated offenses for the St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos. Lewis left the head coaching position at Kent State to take the offensive coordinator post at Colorado.
Colorado quality control analyst Pat Shurmur will take over play-calling duties from OC Sean Lewis vs. Oregon State, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Deion Sanders must elevate Shurmur from analyst to full-time coach to be eligible to coach. Lewis will still signal the plays in, a…
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 3, 2023
After starting 3-0, Colorado has lost four of its last five games.
The Buffaloes are 84th nationally in yards per play, dead last in yards per carry, and in the bottom four in the country in both sacks and TFLs allowed.
"It's a struggle, a struggle to run the ball. We've got to figure that out, because now you're one-dimensional and it's easy to stop a team when they're one-dimensional," Sanders said following CU's loss to UCLA on Saturday. "That's who we are at this point in time."
At 4-4, Colorado must win two games against No. 16 Oregon State (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), Arizona, Washington State and No. 18 Utah to reach a bowl game.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.