Deion Sanders had to get this one right.
Colorado allowed at least 35 points in six of its 12 games last season, giving up 276.9 passing yards (third worst in Pac-12) and 176.4 rushing yards per contest (second worst in Pac-12).
Ahead of Colorado’s return to the Big 12 and a pivotal Year 2 under Sanders, he chose to hire a defensive coordinator with zero play-calling experience. Of course, there was plenty to like about Robert Livingston’s NFL resume, but Sanders took a massive risk.
Through three weeks of the 2024 college football season, Sanders’ gamble looks like an excellent coaching hire.
“He’s more (than what I expected),” Sanders said Tuesday when asked of Livingston. “That’s why he was hired, because of what he brought to the table in the interview in dissecting the teams that we’re going to play before he even got the job. That’s something that happened in the interview process. His communication skills and the several young men who called me to validate him who are professionals, who played for him in the NFL. His overall willingness to listen to the wealth of knowledge in that defensive meeting room and not just be a dictator.”
Livingston is one of many on the Colorado staff with NFL experience after spending the last eight years (2016-2024) in Cincinnati as the Bengals’ secondary coach.
The former free safety at the College of William & Mary (2007-09) helped groom one of the best safety duos in the NFL, consisting of Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell, from 2020-22. Bates inked a four-year deal worth $64 million with the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the 2023 campaign and Bell (now back with the Bengals) signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract with the Carolina Panthers a day earlier, cashing in on their success in Cincinnati with Livingston.
Now, it seems as though the Buffs are reaping the benefits of Livingston’s coaching.
Colorado gave up 35-plus points in four of its first five games last year. Under Livingston, the Buffs haven’t allowed an opponent to even reach 30 points after three weeks of action. Over the last six quarters of football (dating back to the Nebraska loss in Week 2), Colorado has given up just nine points.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the Buffs’ defensive resurgence under Livingston is their third-down success. Opponents have converted just 13-of-40 (32%) third downs against Colorado this season, the same exact percentage as Nebraska’s top-10 scoring defense.
Not having called plays before isn’t the only hurdle Livingston has cleared, either.
“You have to understand, he’s very wise because he came here (to Colorado) alone,” Sanders said Tuesday. “What I mean by alone is, yes, he has a wife and four kids but he came here not bringing one of his guys in. Oftentimes that’s a tough scenario to coach in when you don’t have your own guys at certain positions but he’s done it seamlessly and I’m proud of him. Really, truly proud of him.”
Sanders couldn’t help but crack a smile when asked about Livingston and he isn’t alone.
After Colorado’s most complete defensive performance of the year in Week 3 — held Colorado State to nine points and forced four turnovers — a pair of key defenders showed love to Livingston on social media.
LaVonta Bentley, Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded linebacker in Week 3, talked Tuesday about what makes Livingston a joy to play for.
“He’s allowing us to be us,” Bentley said of Livingston. “He gives us a call and it’s not going to be a perfect call at the end of the day, but you just have to go out there and execute and make sure you’re doing your job. He’s big on that. If you miss it (a play), try to correct it, don’t beat yourself down on that play because the next play might be the big play.
“That’s how he is, man, he brings that energy.”
Livingston probably has more energy than most coaches. He ran gassers this week with the Colorado football team as punishment after Travis Hunter and others were flagged for celebrating an interception off CSU quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi.
Why? It all comes back to relatability and accountability.
“It’s funny, the other day when we did the celebration in the game we all got the flag for, we have to do five gassers for each flag that we get,” sophomore defensive back Carter Stoutmire said Wednesday. “Coach Livingston ran the gassers with us so I thought that was really cool because it was his idea. Money on the floor, that’s his thing so I thought it was really cool for him to run with us.
“He’s (Livingston) a great guy. You can tell he’s a real NFL coach. He’s more laid back than your typical college coach. He’s a good dude and I really like his scheme. It’s a whole lot of man (coverage) stuff so the dudes on our side have to eat and the pass rushers have to get home. That’s how it should be I think.”
Livingston’s impact isn’t just limited to his guys on defense. He’s at least partially responsible for one of quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ best games as a Buff.
The projected first-round NFL draft pick completed 73% of his passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns (zero interceptions) in Colorado’s 28-9 win over CSU. More than four months prior to that Week 3 performance, Shedeur knew he’d be in for a big day against the Rams thanks to Livingston.
“I love that we go against that (Livingston’s) defense every day (in practice),” Shedeur said after the Colorado spring game on April 27. “It’ll prepare us definitely for Week 3, a big Cover 3 team, so you know what time it is. I’m just excited that I get to see it every day and have trial and error with it so when we play teams like that, we’re going to handle business.”
When defensive players talk about Livingston, the common theme is allowing them to play freely without overthinking. This leads to a faster, more instinctual unit.
It’s safe to say that, in just seven month’s time, Livingston has created a culture where his players would run through a wall for him. Conversely, Livingston would do the same for the man who gave him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Obviously, I’m a first-time play caller and it’s not lost on me that he took a chance,” Livingston said of Deion Sanders on August 26. “I’d run through a wall for the dude. He’s given me this opportunity and I’m forever indebted to him. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be here. My family loves it here. It’s a phenomenal honor, a blessing and one that I won’t let down.”
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Publish date : 2024-09-19 00:05:00
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