Four biggest takeaways from Deion Sanders' first spring media session

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Four biggest takeaways from Deion Sanders' first spring media session

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders talked with the media for the first time since the conclusion of the 2025 season on Friday morning.

The fourth-year coach expressed excitement regarding his 2026 team, which features 40-plus transfers and a nearly entirely different coaching staff. Sanders is thrilled with the new coaching staff, touting it as perhaps the best in his tenure at CU. He also discussed Julian Lewis' maturing and the lasting impact that Dominiq Ponder will have on the program.

Here are four takeaways from Coach Prime's first spring camp media session:

Sanders reflects on Dominiq Ponder's passing

Sanders got emotional as he talked about Ponder and what he meant to the program, while announcing a vigil service on Colorado's campus on Saturday.

"Walk-on kid that was a bonafide leader; ran our QB room. We love him. … He had that thing about him. He was one of our favorites."

"We got to keep going" was Sanders message to the team following Ponder's death. He wants the team to be emotional and honest with him about whether they need to take time away.

Sanders announced that Colorado will have a jersey patch honoring Ponder during the 2026 season.

Best staff assembled under Coach Prime?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 30: Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brennan Marion of the UNLV Rebels looks on during warmups before a game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Allegiant Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rebels defeated the Wolf Pack 38-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Sanders hired a completely new staff over the offseason, headlined by offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and defensive coordinator Chris Marve. The overall theme was bringing in coaches with more college experience, and Sanders was clearly pleased with the results when speaking with the media.

"I really feel that we have the best staff that we have assembled in my tenure… by far," Sanders said.

Coach Prime said that DC Chris Marve, who took over for Robert Livingston, who left to join the Denver Broncos coaching staff, is the perfect guy for the job.

"We have a guy who is overqualified for this,' Sanders said about Marve.

Sanders also talked about what drew him to hire Marion, and the reason was simple: to find a unique way for our offense to score at least 30 points every game.

"Points per game. 30 points per game is our threshold," Sanders said. "I needed someone who was going to apply pressure. Not only did we find that, he’s much more than expected."

Brennan Marion's Go-Go offense

Sep 27, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; San Jose State Spartans wide receiver Danny Scudero (10) catches the ball for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Wide receivers Kam Perry and Danny Scudero talked on Friday about the revamped position group and playing Marion's offense.

"You've got to be really conditioned to play in this offense," Perry said. "A lot of tempo, but it allows us to beat defenses in different ways."

Scudero, a short receiver at 5-foot-9, said Marion, being a receiver of similar stature, "carried a lot of weight" during his transfer process.

"Coach Marion's offense is definitely a very complex offense, but it is fun to be part of," Scudero said. "He has a lot of different ways to get people the ball. Wherever he's at, he's a winner."

Julian Lewis is taking a leadership role

Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) before the game against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Lewis' growth will be a major story heading into the 2026 season as he steps into the starting role for a full year. How much he can grow will likely determine how many wins the Buffs can rack up.

Coach Prime likes what he is seeing from Lewis, especially from a leadership standpoint.

"That first snap against Georgia Tech, he'll be coming around that mountain," Sanders said about his quarterback. "He'll be straight."

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Deion Sanders highlights staff, Julian lewis in spring update

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