REPORT: Colorado analyst Pat Shurmur to assume offensive play-calling duties alongside Sean Lewis
Following a rough showing for Colorado’s offense at UCLA, head coach Deion Sanders has reportedly made a major change to how things will operate this weekend.
Per Brett McMurphy of Action Network, analyst Pat Shurmur will be taking over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Sean Lewis for the Buffs’ Saturday game against Oregon State. Shurmur was previously the Denver Broncos’ offensive coordinator from 2020-21.
It’s fair to speculate that this move comes in response to Colorado’s near-absent run game. While the Buffaloes haven’t struggled to put up points, they rank dead-last in the Pac-12 with 78.6 rushing yards per game.
Brian Howell of BuffZone later confirmed that Shurmur and Lewis will serve as co-offensive coordinators.
Here’s how social media reacted to Shurmur’s sudden promotion:
Shurmur's preferred offense is nothing like what Sean Lewis runs. I imagine they will huddle, slow it down and try helping the OL a tad more. https://t.co/RCFkp50XaP
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 3, 2023
Changing play-callers ≠ changing the design/scheme of the offense
— Jake Schwanitz (@JakeDNVR) November 3, 2023
Interesting. Colorado averaging 32.1 ppg, on pace for the program's best avg since 2001. But, it's been up and down and struggled last week – albeit against the best defense in the Pac-12. Lewis and DC Charles Kelly have largest contracts for assistants in CU history #cubuffs https://t.co/OBtErqgMu0
— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) November 3, 2023
#CUBuffs have featured one of the nation's most potent passing attacks through eight games, with Shedeur Sanders averaging 329.6 passing yards per contest, but lack of balance offensively and protection issues have kept Colorado's offense from reaching its full potential this… https://t.co/p7hMDQZk7Z
— Adam Munsterteiger (@adamcm777) November 3, 2023
This is… strange. #CUBuffs https://t.co/vvyKkDyYau
— Tyler King (@King_TylerB) November 3, 2023
Well I don't like this at all https://t.co/t6MiNkfUBe
— Jack Barsch (@JackBarsch) November 3, 2023
Pat Shurmur to replace Sean Lewis in offensive-play calling for the Oregon State game tomorrow
Who’s ready to watch Pat Shurmur cook 👀
— Barstool Colorado (@CUBarstool) November 3, 2023
Coach Prime isn't afraid to make a big change, but Pat Shurmur doesn't exactly inspire confidence. #CUBuffs https://t.co/r2AHUbWqr4
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) November 3, 2023
Wow, Pat Shurmur to take over play calling duties from OC Sean Lewis for the Buffs this weekend against Oregon State
— Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) November 3, 2023
Pat Shurmur is obviously a good football coach. But this is really crazy—Sean Lewis, by all accounts, did a fantastic job early in the season, and the 37-year-old left a head coaching job to take the Colorado OC position. https://t.co/fXA9EwEjvd
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 3, 2023
I like that Deion is making this move with Sean Lewis and Pat Shurmur. It may not make a difference this season but it sends the message that everyone, coaches included, will be held accountable for lack of success.
— Travis D. Hughes (@TravisDHughes) November 3, 2023