Colorado hires Brennan Marion as offensive coordinator, architect of the high-tempo "Go-Go" system

Colorado coach Deion Sanders has brought in Sacramento State's Brennan Marion as the offensive coordinator, the architect of the high-tempo, run-oriented “Go-Go” system.

The school announced the hire Friday. Marion will step in for Pat Shurmur, whose contract was up after a 3-9 season. Marion will have highly touted quarterback Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis to direct an offense that takes advantage of creative formations to produce favorable situations.

"We brought in a man that has shown he’s creative, innovative, knowledgeable, smart and understands today’s players,” Sanders said. “He has made a difference on the field and off everywhere he’s been.”

The 38-year-old Marion becomes the third offensive coordinator since Sanders arrived at Colorado before the 2023 season. Sanders started with Sean Lewis, who's now the head coach at San Diego State, and then turned the controls over to Shurmur. He ran the offense in 2024 with weapons such as Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, but Colorado struggled to find its rhythm this season.

Marion spent one season as the head coach at Sacramento State, leading the Hornets to a 7-5 mark. They averaged nearly 34 points and 425.6 yards. Leading the way was running back Rodney Hammond Jr., who averaged over 101 yards rushing per game.

Colorado is coming off a season in which the offense finished second-to-last in the Big 12 in both points (20.9) and rushing (125.6).

“Humbled to be sought out by the best to ever do it in football — Coach Prime,” Marion said. “It’s my mission to make sure we put a great product on the field that the entire CU family can be proud of!”

Before Sacramento State, Marion spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at UNLV. He helped the Rebels to a pair of bowl games by relying on a dynamic offense.

Marion is the architect of the “Go-Go” offense, which emphasizes creativity and pace — he wants to run a lot of plays. He even wears a chain around his neck that reads “Go-Go.”

In 2023, UNLV scored 40 or more points in a program-record six games. The Rebels finished in the top 10 in the FBS that season in third-down conversions and red-zone offense. They averaged 34.4 points.

Marion also worked at Texas with head coach Steve Sarkisian as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. While there, Marion mentored wideout Xavier Worthy, who's now with the Kansas City Chiefs. Marion also was a receivers coach at Pittsburgh where he worked with Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison, a first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2023.

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FILE - UNLV Offensive Coordinator Brennan Marion in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. Syracuse won 44-41 in overtime. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Trey Murphy III scored 28 points, Dejounte Murray added 27 and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Toronto Raptors 122-111 on Wednesday night, spoiling Brandon Ingram's return to the city where he played for six seasons.

Murray had his highest-scoring game since his return from a torn right Achilles tendon that sidelined him for more than a year. Zion Williamson added 19 points for the Pelicans, who have won seven of 10.

In his first game at New Orleans since he was traded to Toronto in February of last year, Ingram finished with 22 points. The 10-year veteran also surpassed 11,000 points for his career.

Immanuel Quickley scored 25 points for Toronto, which has lost six of eight. This defeat dropped the Raptors from fifth to seventh in the Eastern Conference, one-half game behind Orlando and Miami.

Murphy shot 8 of 12 from the field and 5 of 8 from 3-point range. Both teams made 14 3-pointers, but New Orleans did it on 29 attempts (48.3%) and Toronto needed 44 (31.8%).

The Pelicans led 60-58 at halftime and expanded their lead to 18 points in the third quarter. The Raptors got back within two early in the fourth, but New Orleans responded with an 8-0 run and Toronto never got closer than six the rest of the way. Murphy put it away when he hit a 3 with 2:19 left for a 116-101 lead.

During the first quarter, the Pelicans played a video tribute to Ingram, who averaged 17.6 points and made his first All-Star Game during his time in New Orleans.

Raptors: Host Phoenix on Friday.

Pelicans: At Houston on Friday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) dunks after breaking away with steal next to New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) stands over Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) next forward Herbert Jones (2) after Shead fell while trying to defend against the three point basket of Murray during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Murray received a technical foul after standing over him. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) does a windmill dunk against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, center, celebrates a windmill dunk against the Toronto Raptors with center DeAndre Jordan next to Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)