Deion Sanders' Colorado football team is no stranger to change, but the timing of their latest shake-up is less than ideal. Robert Livingston, the defensive coordinator, is making a move to the Denver Broncos as their defensive passing game coordinator. This transition reunites Livingston with Broncos' defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, a familiar face from their days together on the Bengals' staff.
Livingston's departure comes on the heels of a challenging season for Colorado's defense, which allowed over 30 points per game in 2025, including a rough patch where they conceded 105 points over two games. This was a significant drop from the previous year, when they held teams to 23.1 points per game, ranking 42nd nationally.
If Livingston had made the move earlier, say just after the Broncos' AFC Championship Game loss, it might not have raised as many eyebrows. But leaving in late February, just before spring training, puts Colorado in a tight spot.
The pool of top-tier replacements is now limited, and fans are buzzing with speculation. Some wonder if Livingston's decision was driven by a need to jump ship from what they perceive as a potentially sinking program under Coach Prime.
With spring training looming, Colorado must act swiftly. An internal promotion could be the answer, with names like Kevin Mathis or Warren Sapp in the mix, unless they choose to look externally for a solution. As Sanders enters a pivotal fourth season in Boulder, the pressure is mounting to stabilize the program and prove the skeptics wrong.