Former Browns head coach and Shedeur Sanders OC demoted at Colorado after horrible year

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Former Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur has been demoted from offensive coordinator to quarterback coach at the University of Colorado.

Shurmur had forfeited his play-calling responsibilities a week earlier. Colorado initially hired Shurmur as their quarterback coach. When Deion Sanders became the head coach, he poached one of the top passing minds, Sean Lewis, then the head coach of the Kent State Golden Flashes. Sanders wanted his son, Shedeur, to thrive under Lewis’s super-spread system. However, Lewis and Sanders butted heads as the Buffalo’s offensive line failed to protect Sanders, and the quarterback’s penchant for holding onto the ball did not fit into Lewis’s quick-hitting passing attack. Colorado fired Lewis at the end of the season and San Diego State quickly scooped him up. He’s currently leading them to first place in the Mountain West Conference. 

Shurmur took over for Lewis and didn’t make many drastic changes to the offense’s structure. Instead, he simplified the offense, and the Buffalo offense manufactured a lot of individual production. He helped Travis Hunter win the Heisman. However, he did little for the team’s success or the development of any of their top transfers, including Shedeur. The Buffalo’s lack of player development and cohesive philosophy under Shurmur became a critical problem for them this season. While the team has revitalized its rushing offense, its passing attack, which featured multiple highly touted quarterbacks, has suffocated it.

This season, Colorado is 3-6, and they’ll need to convince their talented players to stay with the team. Hopefully, coach Sanders can make another inspired hire for offensive coordinator. If Sanders lets the future offensive coordinator coach the players, the Buffaloes could quickly become competitive in the Big 12. They’re a good team that can draw large crowds and top recruits. If they can start developing their players, they could become a ten-win program in a tough conference. Sanders and Colorado will need to do some soul-searching this winter. They’ll need to replace their offensive coaching staff. 

As Browns fans are looking toward the team’s past to fix their current problems, fans won’t be glancing in Shurmur’s direction. He’s a sore reminder that quarterback isn’t the only place of purgatory. If the Browns make a change at coach or general manager, they could be forced back into the wilderness. Lost until they find their next leaders, no matter how long it takes.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Former Browns head coach gets demoted by his college program

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos