Shurmur Brings NFL Experience To Buffs As Offensive Analyst

Football August 10, 2023 Neill Woelk, Contributing Editor

BOULDER — A former NFL head coach who spent the last 25 years in the league agreeing to return to the college coaching game as a team analyst — a restricted role in many ways — is by no means a common occurrence.

But then, "common" hasn't been too common at Colorado since Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders took the reins. Thus, it's no surprise that Pat Shurmur, whose most recent job was as the Denver Broncos' offensive coordinator, is working as an offensive analyst for the Buffaloes.

Shurmur was let go by the Broncos after last season. He planned on taking the entire year off and spending more time with his family, but when Sanders called, he listened.

"I was available," Shurmur said after Thursday's practice. "There were some family events (over the last year) that I wanted to be fully there for so I made the effort to do that … Then, this summer, two and two kind of became four. There were a couple phone calls here and there and it was something I felt somebody like myself could be an asset to the program."

Shurmur's resume is clearly impressive. He served as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants for two seasons at each stop, and has also worked with the Broncos, Eagles, Rams and Vikings.

On the flip side, however, he hasn't worked in the college game since serving as Stanford's offensive line coach in 1998.

"I was curious about what the differences might be between college ball and pro ball," he said. "But these guys are eager. They're young. I can watch it as our coaches are working with them. They're all ears. And then certainly the perspective that Coach Prime can give them in the team meetings with his great background. I think it's really cool."

Shurmur's role will certainly be different from anything he has done over the last couple of decades. Analysts in college aren't allowed to coach players on the field and they aren't involved in recruiting. They can, however, help the coaching staff behind the scenes, offer input on game plans and offer daily suggestions.

"I work primarily behind the scenes," Shurmur said. "I'm in the meeting room with the coaches but I'm really not allowed to have one-on-one with players. It's really hard to be out there and bite your tongue when you see something. But if there is something I see that might help a player, I gotta just kind of track it through one of the coaches."

Shurmur doesn't have a standard of comparison when it comes to evaluating CU's players and talent level compared to that of other programs because he hasn't been around the college game for a quarter of a century.

But he does know talent when he sees it.

"I don't have anything to compare it to," he said, "But from watching our offense, we have a lot of very talented skilled players. We got a lot of gritty linemen that work really hard. And obviously, I think Shedeur (Sanders) can execute and play at a high level and then we have a nice group of backs as well. So it'll be interesting to see it all come together when we tee it up against TCU."

PRACTICE REPORT: Freshman running back Dylan Edwards produced some big plays in Thursday's workout as the Buffs hit the field in full pads.

Edwards ripped off a long scoring run early in team drills, turning the corner in a hurry, then accelerating to another gear when he hit the second level. He also put his receiving ability on display, hauling in a pair of scoring throws from Shedeur Sanders …

Also producing some big gainers were Jimmy Horn Jr. on a jet sweep and Sanders also had a long scoring strike to Tar'Varish Dawson, a transfer from Auburn. … Backup QB Ryan Staub also had a nice throw, drawing the defense in with a good fake to the running back before dropping a long pass into the hands of Cole Boscia … Sophomore tight end Elijah Yelverton is taking some snaps with the top units.

Defensively, edge rusher Jordan Domineck continues to show a knack for getting to the quarterback, and Chance Main had a couple of pressures as well … The Buffs are clearly working on developing some depth on the defensive front and on the edge, with a number of players getting repetitions with the No. 1 and 2 units. That group includes Amari McNeill, Taijh Alston, Arden Walker, Bishop Thomas, Sav'ell Smalls and Khairi Manns … Freshman linebacker Victory Johnson made some plays and had an interception … Freshman cornerback Carter Stoutmire continues to get some reps with the top units … Inside 'backer LaVonta Bentley was back working with the No. 1 group.

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