Deion Sanders' Defensive Coordinator Reportedly Leaves Colorado for NFL Job with Broncos

The Denver Broncos are hiring Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston as their defensive passing game coordinator, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Pete Thamel of ESPN reported Chris Marve will replace Livingston in Boulder. Marve joined the staff in December as the linebackers coach. He had most recently been Virginia Tech's defensive coordinator for three seasons.

Livingston worked with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2012-23, starting as a scout and rising to become their safeties coach in 2016. When he was first hired by Colorado, head coach Deion Sanders likely knew a return to the NFL was possible.

Based on Wednesday's move, Livingston aspires to climb the pro coaching ladder, and accepting a role in Denver could help him achieve that. His predecessor, Jim Leonhard, got hired last month by the Buffalo Bills as their defensive coordinator.

Preemptively bringing aboard an assistant with past coordinator experience reinforces the idea Sanders planned on losing Livingston at some point.

Colorado felt the departure of two-way standout Travis Hunter in a big way on defense. The team finished 121st in yards allowed (425.7) and 111th in scoring defense (30.5 points).

Sanders offered a harsh assessment of his defense after a season-opening defeat to Georgia Tech, and things didn't improve much from there.

As expected, Coach Prime worked aggressively in the transfer portal to improve his roster. Texas linebacker Liona Lefau, Tennessee safety Boo Carter and Bowling Green linebacker Gideon Lampron are among the defensive headliners.

Livingston's exit comes at a relatively late point in the college coaching carousel, but the portal is closed and Colorado had a successor ready and waiting. The change probably won't shake things up much.