Deion Sanders’ staff has lost some key experience.
Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman Warren Sapp has resigned from Sanders’ Colorado staff, as the school announced in a statement Thursday.
“Warren Sapp has resigned from the CU football coaching staff to pursue other opportunities,” the statement said. “CU Athletics thanks Warren for his contributions to our football program over the last two seasons and for his commitment to our student-athletes.”
It is unclear why Sapp decided to leave.
Sapp joined Colorado in 2024 as a senior quality control analyst after being around the team in previous years while taking graduate classes. He was later promoted to pass rush coordinator for the 2025 season.
“I’m excited about Coach Sapp,” Sanders said after Sapp was hired in 2024. “He’s a dear friend that I love to life, and he’s going to be invaluable to what he brings to the table. As far as the recruits as well, they’re going to love him.”
Under Sapp’s guidance, however, Colorado allowed the most rushing yards per game (222.5) and the fourth-most points per game (30.5) in the Big 12. No player on the team recorded more than 2.5 sacks.
The defensive woes led to a horrid 3-9 season in Sanders’ third year, when Colorado won just one of nine conference games. It marked his worst finish as Colorado’s head coach thus far and a massive step down after a resurgent 2024 season where it went 9-4 and produced a Heisman Trophy winner in two-way star Travis Hunter.
Sapp’s departure also comes after Buffaloes defensive coordinator Robert Livingston left the staff to become the Broncos’ defensive pass game coordinator.
Prior to Sapp’s coaching career, he was a superstar NFL edge rusher. Across 13 seasons, mostly with the Buccaneers, Sapp accrued 96.5 sacks, 20 forced fumbles and 91 tackles for loss. He ranks 52nd on the NFL’s all-time sacks list.
Sapp was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013 after his career ended in 2007 following four seasons with the Raiders.
