Colorado Fans Will Love This Buffaloes Coach's Message to the Team

In early March, spring practices have started for the Colorado Buffaloes, and one of the position coaches has been giving the players extra motivation.

Coach Niblett’s Player Motivation

Colorado now gets the opportunity to put the helmets back on and get after it on the field, but the Buffaloes are dealing with the loss of their teammate, quarterback Dominiq Ponder, who died in a single-car accident over the weekend.

Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Tight ends coach Josh Niblett has been a huge source of passion and desire throughout the entire offseason, and clips from the first practice of the spring paint a similar picture.

“Stick to the detail. I'm looking for guys that are invested, not interested. Does everybody understand that? All the little things count. We get evaluated, we are looking for the best 11, not the 11 best, you got me? Let's finish strong today. Be the energy for someone that needs it today,” said Niblett.

🔥 Coach Niblett. Fired Up. Uplifting the Players 💛🦬

"I'm looking for guys that are invested, not interested. All the little things count. Be the energy for somebody that needs it today"

📽️ @KingDarius_NS https://t.co/onsVASAYE1 pic.twitter.com/ceq5oHgGNt
— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) March 2, 2026

This statement by Niblett truly shows the changes the Buffaloes have been aiming for this entire offseason. Finding guys who are invested versus interested is a big difference. Those who are invested will put their body on the line for the team, help mentor the young guys, and do whatever it takes to win and elevate the program.

Finding these guys is very difficult, but once everyone is on campus and has the helmet on, it is very easy to see who is invested and who is just interested.

Niblett's distinction of the "best 11" instead of "11 best" is also noteworthy. The "best 11" are the 11 players that work the best together on offense, defense, and special teams. The 11 best are those who are the most talented, but that does not mean they can work cohesively as a unit.

MORE: Colorado's Andreu Swasey Delivers Motivational Message During Offseason Workout

MORE: Three Keys for Colorado, Deion Sanders to Bounce Back in 2026

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Colorado’s Offseason Changes

Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the sidelines in the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Recently, Colorado has struggled to put together successful seasons because there are units that simply underperform. The two biggest cases of this in 2025 were the offensive and defensive lines struggling to establish the line of scrimmage.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders knows that to be successful, the lines of scrimmage must be addressed and the identity on each side must be correct. This is why Sanders has undertaken a more hands-on approach to watching recruiting film and evaluating the character of those potentially coming into the program.

Other than the recruiting side, Colorado made huge changes on both offense and defense.

Offensively, the Buffaloes brought in new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion from Sacramento State. With Marion, Colorado will implement the Go-Go offense to challenge opposing defenses in space and get the ball out to playmakers.

However, there will be an emphasis on physicality and running the ball as well to control the tempo of games and show that the Buffaloes are not just a perimeter team. Colorado is determined to dominate on offense.

colorado buffaloes defensive coordinator chris marve deion sanders josh niblett spring practice brennan marion — MSU defensive run game coordinator Chris Marve speaks to reporters at Media Day on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at the Leo Seal Complex. Photo by Keith Warren | Keith Warren, Keith Warren via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Defensively, the change is very new with former defensive coordinator Robert Livingston leaving for the NFL, and linebackers coach Chris Marve has been elevated to be the new defensive coordinator.

Marve has experience with playcalling from when he was the defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech in 2023 and 2024. The expectation with Marve is versatility in his fronts and a focus on the details. Marve has also added that there needs to be a sense of physicality and pursuit on defense.

“It feels like we are running to the ball like some big dawgs. Does it feel that way? It needs to,” said Marve at spring practice.

New Colorado DC Chris Marve in action: “It feels like we’re running to the ball like some big dawgs.”

🎥 @KingDarius_NS pic.twitter.com/qvvTlpntIM
— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) March 2, 2026

With the new personnel, this spring should reveal a whole lot more about what Marve will bring to the defense in Colorado.

This Colorado Buffaloes team has plenty of motivation to improve, and with a new look coaching staff, this may be what can help Colorado to change the narrative in 2026 and beyond.