Former Bengals Safety Vonn Bell Joins Colorado Coaching Staff

Bell will serve as safeties coach under Deion Sanders at the University of Colorado.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 4:47pm

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Former Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell has announced that he is joining Deion Sanders' coaching staff at the University of Colorado. Bell, who played for the Bengals from 2020-2022 and 2024, will serve as the safeties coach for the Buffaloes. He previously worked as a defensive analyst for Colorado in 2025 while waiting for an NFL coaching opportunity.

Why it matters

Bell's move from the NFL to the college coaching ranks represents a shift in his career path, as he transitions from playing to coaching. His experience and expertise as a former standout safety in the league could provide valuable guidance to the Colorado defensive backs.

The details

Vonn Bell was originally drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 2016 NFL Draft and played there until 2019 before joining the Bengals. He had two stints with Cincinnati, from 2020-2022 and then again in 2024. Bell finished his NFL career with impressive stats, including 760 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, 39 pass deflections, and 8 interceptions.

  • Bell served as a defensive analyst for Colorado in 2025.
  • Bell announced his new coaching role with Colorado in March 2026.

The players

Vonn Bell

A former standout safety who played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2020-2022 and 2024, and is now joining the coaching staff at the University of Colorado.

Deion Sanders

The head coach of the University of Colorado football team, who has hired Vonn Bell as his safeties coach.

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What they’re saying

“IM THANKFUL, IM BLESSED, IM GRATEFUL. LETS WORK!”

— Vonn Bell

“Former Bengals safety Vonn Bell has a new job. The veteran announced that he's now the safeties coach at Colorado under head coach Deion Sanders.”

— James Rapien, Sports Illustrated reporter

The takeaway

Vonn Bell's transition from NFL player to college coach represents an opportunity for him to share his expertise and experience with the next generation of defensive backs. His move to Colorado under Deion Sanders' leadership could help shape the future of the Buffaloes' secondary.