Deion Sanders is juggling three different DL coaches in three years. Sal Sunseri in 2023, Damione Lewis in 2024, and now, Domata Peko is heading back to the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2025 season at Colorado. Now it’s another reset. So what are the Buffs looking for in their next DL coach?

“I think a technician, somebody to be able to come and teach fundamentals,” Colorado insider Phillip Dukes said on DNVR Buffs. “Ought to be really fundamentally sound. Someone that’s going to have a lunch pail mentality wants to work. They’re going to allow people to work and want to create more workers.” 

Now the question is, where is Deion Sanders going to find a coach like that? After a season where the Buffs allowed 222.5 rushing yards per game and managed just 13 sacks, it’s hard to justify an internal promotion. Warren Sapp is still the pass rush coordinator. George Helow remains the DE coach. But after those numbers, promoting from within would raise eyebrows.

“I believe you’re going to bring in one person from the outside,” Dukes added. “Somebody’s coming from the outside.” 

Colorado’s D-line wasn’t good enough. In 2024, they were better and led the Big 12 with 39 sacks. Dukes pointed to body type and effort. When the Buffs led the league in sacks, those linemen were “6’3, 6’3, jumpy type, twitchy, hard-working type guys.” It suggests Deion Sanders is recalibrating the entire defensive identity up front. And with 12 new DLs and edge rushers arriving via the portal, that hire becomes even more critical.

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The new coach will be tasked with integrating a dozen new faces on the defensive line, a group cobbled together from the transfer portal with players from programs ranging from North Dakota State to Tulane. Only two spent last year in P4 programs. And then there’s freshman Domata Peko Jr., son of their departing DL coach. So who’s the right replacement?

Chidera Uzo-Diribe might make sense. He’s currently Georgia’s OLB coach, has prior DL experience at SMU and TCU, and his name is all over Colorado’s record books, including sixth all-time in sacks and second in forced fumbles. A veteran like Cedric Calhoun, who has a 30-year track record of building stout defensive lines, could bring the fundamental discipline Colorado’s defense has sorely lacked, evidenced by his Temple units consistently ranking near the top of the AAC.

Deion Sanders needs a lot of fixing on defense

Colorado’s 13 sacks last season averaged out to just 1.08 per game. The portal additions help as 2025 starters Anene, Taufatofua, Manuel, and Hopper combined for 16.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss. There’s also promise from LBs Liona Lefau and Gideon Lampron, who combined for 20.5 tackles for loss. But production on paper doesn’t guarantee cohesion.

The problems were even more glaring against the run, where the Buffaloes were consistently pushed around, finishing a dismal 102nd nationally in tackles for loss. They averaged five per game. As for red zone defense, opponents scored TDs on 63.04% of trips. And in tight spaces, if you can’t win up front, you’re finished. This is why the next hire is a tone-setter. 

Deion Sanders has options, but he’s not taking any chances after last season’s defensive slide. The question that fans and critics have now is, will that outsider finally be the one who fixes it? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.