Promoted Colorado OC ‘lived up to his calling card’ in debut
The decision to demote Sean Lewis for Pat Shurmur was a head-scratcher for the Buffs from the start, but it proved so even more in CU’s 26-19 Week 10 loss to Oregon State. Sean Lewis seemed to have the offense clicking on all cylinders, outside of the notable dud or two, so to move him out for Shurmur — who did not have much success in his prior runs — was a confusing one to most anyone involved with the Colorado football program in any capacity.
Denver Sports’ Jake Shapiro didn’t mince words when describing the ineffective debut on November 4, saying that Shurmur “lived up to his calling card” in the brutal loss.
“The first-year head coach of the Buffs demoted Sean Lewis to co-offensive coordinator late this week, and Coach Prime’s genius solution was promoting offensive analyst Pat Shurmur,” Shapiro wrote. “The failed NFL coach is known for running some of the most boring offenses of the century across the sport and became the play-caller in Boulder ahead of the Buffaloes clash with Oregon State on Saturday. In Shurmur’s debut on the headset, he lived up to his calling card producing a pitiful offensive performance.”
Coach Prime: Colorado football is capable of playing better
The Shurmur decision seems to have been made because of frustration in the locker that may or may not directly correlate to Shedeur Sanders’ usage under center. Still, internal strife or not, Coach Prime believes this team is capable of playing better than they have in 2023.
“This is hard, the reason it’s hard is because we know we are capable of playing better, coaching better, and we are coming up short when we have enough to get the job done,” Deion Sanders said.
The second half of the season has certainly been a struggle for Colorado, but it was not due to the fault of Lewis. Hopefully, Coach Prime’s plan ends up working and Shurmur ends up unlocking the offense so they can become bowl-eligible.
As of right now, though, the decision to push down Lewis and promote Shurmur doesn’t appear to be one worthy of praise, or one yet capable of pulling the Buffs out of their despair.