Colorado has stripped offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur of his play-calling duties following the team’s struggles this season, according to USA Today’s Brent Schrotenboer.
Coach Deion Sanders demoted Shurmur to quarterbacks coach after the Buffaloes’ 53-7 loss to Utah on Oct. 25. Tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Brett Bartolone has taken over play-calling responsibilities.
“Colorado football coach Deion Sanders stripped play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur after the Buffaloes lost at Utah Oct. 25, demoting him to quarterbacks coach before the team got beat again last week against Arizona,” a source told USA TODAY Sports.
The move mirrors Sanders’ approach from 2023 when he demoted then-lead play-caller Sean Lewis during another disappointing season.
Coaching Change Doesn’t Provide Immediate Results
Bartolone’s first game calling plays resulted in a 52-17 home loss to Arizona. The defeat marked the worst home loss of Sanders’ tenure at Colorado.
Sanders hinted at potential staff changes during his weekly news conference Tuesday in Boulder, though the program hasn’t officially commented on the coaching adjustments.
The offensive struggles represent a significant drop from last season’s production. Colorado’s offense ranked among the nation’s most productive units in 2023 but has failed to maintain that level this year.
Shurmur’s Future Uncertain
The demotion likely signals the end of Shurmur’s time in Boulder. The veteran coach, who has nearly four decades of coaching experience, successfully helped develop Shedeur Sanders for the NFL draft.
However, Shurmur hasn’t been able to maximize the talent Colorado assembled through the transfer portal this offseason. The program invested heavily in quarterback acquisitions but hasn’t seen corresponding on-field results.
Lewis found a new opportunity with San Diego State after his 2023 demotion at Colorado. Shurmur may need to consider an offensive analyst role to rebuild his reputation before pursuing another coordinator position.
The Buffaloes face continued pressure to improve their offensive output as the season progresses under Bartolone’s direction.
