Former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Chris Marve was hired as the linebackers coach at Colorado in December of 2025, but is now slated to be the Buffaloes’ defensive coordinator. (Virginia Tech Athletics)
Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders announced several offseason staff changes Saturday, including making it official that Chris Marve has been promoted to the defensive coordinator position.
Marve is replacing Robert Livingston, who left the Buffs this week to take a job with the Denver Broncos. Marve was originally hired by CU in December as linebackers coach.
In addition to his coordinator role, Livingston coached the safeties at CU. To fill that role, Vonn Bell, who recently completed his NFL playing career, will coach the safeties.
The Buffs have also hired longtime coach and former USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast as a senior analyst who will work with the linebackers.
CU opens spring practices Monday and will have two new coordinators, with Marve and offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who was hired in December.
Marve most recently was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Virginia Tech from 2022-24 before coming to CU in December.
“Chris Marve was hired with the knowledge that he could one day advance considering his history and experience if the opportunity was presented,” Sanders said in a news release. “He’s a teacher, a motivator and a man of great character. I’m excited to get on the field Monday with these two extraordinary coordinators that will uplift our program on and off the field.”
Under Marve, Virginia Tech allowed just 24.7 points per game in 2022 (54th nationally), 23.9 (51st) in 2023 and 22.8 (39th) in 2024. The Hokies were also top 60 nationally in yards allowed in all three of his seasons, ranking 58th in 2022 (371.2), 20th in 2023 (316.8) and 57th in 2024 (363.0).
Vonn Bell last played in the NFL in 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Prior to Virginia Tech, Marve spent two years (2020-21) as the linebackers coach at Florida State. In 2019, he was the linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator at Mississippi State.
“I’m beyond honored for the opportunity to lead the Buffaloes defense,” Marve said. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity and for Coach Prime to entrust me with this phenomenal role.”
Bell, 31, played nine seasons in the NFL from 2016-24 with the New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers. During his first stint with the Bengals, from 2020-22, he was coached by Livingston, and helped the Bengals reach Super Bowl LVI.
A second-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2016, Bell finished his career in 2024, playing in 17 games with 11 starts for the Bengals. He recorded 760 tackles and eight interceptions in his career. He had a workout with the Pittsburgh Steelers in October but was not signed.
Pendergast, 58, spent the past five seasons as an analyst at UCLA. His coaching career, which began in 1991, includes 16 seasons in the NFL, from 1995-2009 and 2015, including seven years (1996-2002) with the Dallas Cowboys. From 1996-99, Pendergast was on the Cowboys’ staff while Sanders starred at cornerback.
Pendergast was the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals for five seasons, from 2004-08, and then with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. He’s mainly worked in college football since then, including as defensive coordinator at California (2010-12) and USC (2013, 2016-19).
CU also announced previously reported hires of Dante Carter as defensive line coach, Aaron Fletcher as cornerbacks coach, Johnnie Mack as running backs coach, and Josh Niblett as tight ends coach.
In addition, Justin Houlihan (quarterbacks), Kenny Ingram (defensive linemen), Joc Upton (running backs) and Kyle Wagner (tight ends) are all in analyst roles. Houlihan and Wagner worked for Marion at Sacramento State last year.
Others in new roles include Darius Darden-Box, who moves into the role of director of player personnel after three years as the director of recruiting; and Rashad Rich, who is the new director of recruiting after four seasons at Penn State.