The Dallas Cowboys are deep into the process of reshaping their defensive coaching staff, and Thursday’s developments brought a familiar face from the college ranks into the spotlight - Robert Livingston, Colorado’s defensive coordinator, walked into an interview in Frisco. And let’s just say, Buffaloes fans had thoughts.
Livingston, who joined Deion Sanders’ staff in Boulder ahead of the 2024 season, made an immediate splash. That first year, Colorado’s defense looked transformed - faster, tougher, and more disciplined.
But 2025 told a different story. The unit regressed, and not quietly.
The struggles were visible, especially against physical, run-heavy offenses that seemed to have no trouble finding daylight through the Buffs’ front seven.
Now, as the Cowboys continue to build out Christian Parker’s defensive staff, Livingston is in the mix. And Colorado fans are split right down the middle about whether that’s a good thing.
Some fans are sounding the alarm - not because they want to keep him, but because they’re baffled by the Cowboys’ interest. One fan summed it up bluntly: “He can go - his defensive scheme sucks and doesn’t stop anybody.” Another added, “If you can’t put together a scheme to stop the run… bye bye.”
Others, though, are more measured. One commenter offered a nuanced take: “He’s a good football mind but a below-average strategist.
Horrible gameplan most of the year.” And then there’s the group that sees potential in Livingston despite the results: “Man is a good coach despite the defensive performance.”
That kind of split reaction actually tells you a lot. There’s a sense that Livingston brings intelligence and experience to the table - but also that his schemes didn’t quite translate in Boulder, particularly when it came to adjusting in-game or handling more physical offenses.
The tape doesn’t lie, and neither do the numbers. Colorado’s defense got exposed in 2025, and that’s the version of Livingston the Cowboys are now evaluating.
From Dallas’ perspective, the interest in Livingston makes sense on paper. He’s got a deep background in secondary play, having spent nearly a decade with the Cincinnati Bengals in various roles, including eight years coaching safeties.
He worked his way up from quality control to a key position coach, and that kind of climb doesn’t happen without serious football acumen. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s familiar with multiple defensive systems and has experience both in scouting and on the sideline.
Christian Parker’s approach to building his staff seems focused on adding voices with secondary expertise. Other candidates who’ve been brought in this week include Pittsburgh’s Denzel Martin, former Giants DC Shane Bowen, Eagles assistant Ronell Williams, and Vikings coach Marcus Dixon. Thursday’s round of interviews also included former Ravens linebacker coach Zach Orr and Cardinals secondary coach Ryan Smith.
Livingston’s ties to Sanders - and by extension, the Cowboys’ front office - add another layer. There’s trust there.
Dallas likely has access to candid evaluations from inside Boulder, which could help them cut through the noise. But those fan reactions?
They’re still worth noting. Because while resumes matter, so do results.
And in 2025, Livingston’s defense didn’t deliver.
For Colorado, this potential departure couldn’t come at a worse time. Spring camp is right around the corner, and Sanders has already had to replace his offensive coordinator. Losing another top assistant would mean another scramble - another reset in a program that’s already trying to find its footing after a rocky season.
As for the Cowboys, this is about fit. Livingston’s experience in the secondary aligns with what Parker appears to be building. The question is whether Dallas sees the 2024 version of Livingston - the one who energized Colorado’s defense - or the 2025 version, whose unit couldn’t stop the bleeding.
Either way, Jones and company are doing their homework. And if they do bring Livingston aboard, they’ll be betting that the right scheme, the right personnel, and the right environment can unlock the coach Colorado fans once believed in - before things went sideways.