Coach Deion Sanders Promotes Pat Shurmur to Colorado OC to replace Sean Lewis

Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders has officially promoted Pat Schumer.

Shurmur will serve as the program’s offensive coordinator in 2024, Colorado announced Friday. He replaces Sean Lewis, who took over as head coach at San Diego State in November.

Shurmur served as the team’s co-offensive coordinator and offensive analyst last season. Sanders said in an interview with USA Today’s Brent Schrotenboer in early December that Shurmur is the “most likely” to take over as the Buffs’ offensive coordinator.

Sanders assigned Shurmur offensive play-calling duties for the final four games of the 2023 regular season, but the team’s production was not as good as it was under Lewis. In Lewis’ first eight games, Colorado averaged 32.1 points and 408.6 yards per game. When Shurmur called the plays, they averaged 20.3 points and 273.5 yards per game.

However, the drop in production could be due to the declining health of quarterback Sheder Sanders and the offensive line. Fortunately for Shurmur, he’ll likely be coaching a talented offense highlighted by Sanders and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter next season. Sanders decided not to enter the 2024 NFL Draft and return to Colorado for one more season. The Buffaloes are looking to improve on their disappointing 4-8 record heading into the 2023 season.

Before joining Colorado, Shurmur spent time as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2020-2021. He also served as the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, then St. Louis Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Shurmur also has head coaching experience in the NFL, including as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2011 to 2012 and the New York Giants from 2018 to 2019.