According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Memphis is expected to hire Colorado director of player personnel Corey Phillips as its new general manager. The move represents a significant shift for the Buffaloes’ personnel department.
Colorado is expected to promote Darrius Darden-Box to director of player personnel. Darden-Box has served three seasons as the program’s director of recruiting.
Phillips brings extensive SEC experience to Memphis. He served as co-recruiting coordinator at Vanderbilt from 2016 to 2020. He moved to NC State as recruiting coordinator in 2021.
A season at LSU as co-recruiting coordinator followed in 2022. Colorado elevated him to director of player personnel in 2023.
Memphis’s decision to hire Phillips into a general manager role shows how Colorado’s personnel infrastructure has gained national respect. Programs aren’t just pulling players from Boulder anymore.
They’re pulling people.
Phillips made his departure personal in a farewell message. He expressed gratitude toward Deion Sanders, who trusted him with helping reshape the program.
“Coach Prime, thank you for this unbelievable opportunity that you gave to a man you didn’t know, but only from a recommendation,” Phillips wrote. “Thank you for showing me that anything can be done if you just believe.”
Beyond THANKFUL pic.twitter.com/LrJRNy8OtD
— Corey Phillips (@theyoungcoach) December 12, 2025
Sanders empowered his personnel staff throughout the transition. He trusted evaluations and fostered accountability. The department grew into something larger than traditional recruiting.
Phillips also sent a message to Darrius Darden-Box, who’s expected to take over the role.
“Coach Box, in 2017 I told you if I ever got to hire somebody, you would be my first call,” Phillips wrote. “Thank you for riding with Unk on this journey. You are one of the best in all of football.”
The words read more like a handoff than a goodbye.
Darden-Box has been inside the building through three seasons of transition. He’s earned trust during a period defined by constant change.
His promotion represents continuity when Colorado could have chosen reinvention. The Buffaloes are leaning into stability instead.
The program is showing that the Prime era isn’t just about rebuilding a roster anymore. It’s about developing people at every level.
Sanders built the foundation on belief. Now it’s building careers.
