Brennan Marion's College Football Highlights Should Excite Colorado Fans

The Colorado Buffaloes hired Brennan Marion as the team's next offensive coordinator, and his past coaching jobs and playing days with the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes show his potential with the program.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Brennan Marion, a former wide receiver for the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, was hired as the Colorado Buffaloes' new offensive coordinator. His impressive stats and record-setting career as a player, including leading the FBS in yards per reception for two straight seasons, could translate to an explosive offense for Colorado. Despite facing adversity in his playing career, Marion has gone on to build successful offenses as a coach, which could help elevate the Buffaloes' offense and young quarterback Julian Lewis.

Why it matters

Colorado is coming off a three-win season and needs to turn things around quickly. Marion's experience as both a player and coach, including his ability to build explosive offenses, could be exactly what the Buffaloes need to improve their offensive production and compete in the Big 12 conference.

The details

As a player at Tulsa, Marion set records, leading the FBS in yards per reception in both 2007 and 2008. He finished his two-year career with the Golden Hurricanes with 2,356 receiving yards, averaging 28.7 yards per catch, and 19 touchdowns. Though his playing career was cut short by a torn ACL, Marion has gone on to coach at the college level, most recently as the head coach at Sacramento State, where he led an offense that averaged over 400 yards per game. Now at Colorado, Marion will look to install his "Go-Go" offense and help develop young quarterback Julian Lewis.

  • Brennan Marion joined the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes ahead of the 2007 season.
  • In 2007, Marion led the FBS in yards per reception, averaging 31.9 yards per catch.
  • In 2008, Marion again led the FBS in yards per reception, averaging 25.5 yards per catch.
  • Marion suffered a torn ACL in his final collegiate game on January 6, 2009.
  • In 2025, Marion was the head coach at Sacramento State, where his offense averaged 262.2 rushing yards and 163.0 passing yards per game.

The players

Brennan Marion

A former wide receiver for the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes who set records for yards per reception and is now the new offensive coordinator for the Colorado Buffaloes.

Julian Lewis

The projected starting quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, entering his second year with the program.

DeAndre Moore Jr.

A wide receiver who was added to the Colorado Buffaloes roster through the transfer portal and is expected to help create explosive plays for the offense.

Richard Young

A running back who was added to the Colorado Buffaloes roster through the transfer portal and is expected to help create explosive plays for the offense.

Deion Sanders

The head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, who worked with Brennan Marion to bring in new talent to the program through the transfer portal.

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What they’re saying

“Every team I've gone to had a losing record the year before and then we have a winning record and that's based off getting the players to come together, be family, stay close together. I'm excited this time because this is the first school I've been able to hand select with Coach Prime, the guys, a whole group of guys.”

— Brennan Marion, Offensive Coordinator, Colorado Buffaloes (Rivals)

What’s next

The Colorado Buffaloes will look to implement Brennan Marion's "Go-Go" offense during spring practices and summer workouts to prepare for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Brennan Marion's impressive playing career and track record of building explosive offenses as a coach make him an exciting hire for the Colorado Buffaloes. His ability to develop young talent and create a cohesive, family-like atmosphere could be exactly what the Buffaloes need to turn their program around and compete in the Big 12 conference.