Colorado defensive coordinator Chris Marve is delivering something much needed

There's a different intensity and tenacity when you watch Colorado Buffaloes defensive coordinator Chris Marve communicate with his defensive unit.

Former Texas linebacker Liona Lefau said in an interview that Marve has more of an 'in your face' coaching style—and that approach might benefit the Buffs more than ever.

Colorado's defense was soft last season, to put it nicely. They surrendered 30.5 points per game while their run defense was completely nonexistent, allowing 425.7 yards per game—dead last in the Big 12.

Chris Marve is the change Colorado needed at defensive coordinator

This isn't a slight to Robert Livingston, who's joining the Denver Broncos coaching staff as defensive pass game coordinator. He transformed Colorado's 2024 defense by cutting their yards allowed by nearly 100 and holding opponents to just 23.1 points per game instead of 30+.

It also helped having a game changer like Travis Hunter and other notable players like Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, Preston Hodge, and pass rushers Dayon Hayes, BJ Green III, and Samuel Okunlola.

Coach Prime elevated Marve from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator following Livingston's departure.

Colorado retooled through the portal in a big way, adding production-based transfers like Santana Hopper, Gideon Lampron, Liona Lefau, Boo Carter, and others. On paper, this looks like a much improved unit—now they just have to prove it on the field.

Marve seems to be a great teacher and motivator, and you can tell by the way his players react to what he says.