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Shocker in Boulder: Colorado Swaps WR Coach Days Before Camp
Colorado Football’s Surprise Coaching Change: What Happened to the Receivers Coach?
Published: August 3, 2026
Updated: August 4, 2026, 3:06 PM MT
What Happened? (The Big News)
Imagine showing up for the first day of school and finding out your favorite teacher isn’t there anymore. That’s basically what happened with the Colorado Buffaloes football team when they started their fall camp (that’s like intense practice before the season starts).
In less than 24 hours, there was already a big change:
- Jason Phillips, the receivers coach, disappeared from the official team directory
- His profile page shows a "404 error" (that means "page not found" on the internet)
- He wasn’t at the first team meeting when coaches introduced themselves
- Rashad Davis stepped in and introduced himself as the new receivers coach
Who Is Jason Phillips? (The Coach Who Left)
Jason Phillips was the coach in charge of wide receivers – those are the players who catch passes down the field.
Quick facts about Phillips:
- He had been coaching the receivers
- He previously said blocking (helping protect teammates) is a "want to" thing – meaning it comes from inside the player, not from drills
- He admitted: "We don’t do any drills for it, to be quite honest with you. To me, that’s internal."
Who Is Rashad Davis? (The New Coach)
Rashad Davis isn’t a stranger – he was already on the staff! Now he’s taken over the receivers room (that’s coach talk for the group of wide receiver players).
What Davis said in the spring:
- His job was shifting from "energy and communication" → to "direct development on and off the field"
- That means less cheerleading, more hands-on teaching and mentoring
Why Did This Happen? (The Reasons)
There are a few pieces to this puzzle:
1. Official Explanations Changed
| First Report | Later Clarification |
|---|---|
| Phillips stepped away for a family issue | Deion Sanders (head coach) said on social media: Phillips chose to retire |
2. New Offensive System = New Expectations
- Brennan Marion is the new offensive coordinator (he designs the plays)
- He’s installing a "Go-Go system" – a fancy name for an offense that:
- Runs fast
- Requires receivers to block (push defenders away from teammates)
- Values physical, tough play
3. Philosophy Mismatch
- Phillips’ approach: Blocking is internal, no drills needed
- New system’s demand: Blocking is essential, must be practiced and emphasized
- Result: A natural parting of ways
What Does This Mean for the Team? (Looking Ahead)
Numbered steps of what happens next:
- Davis takes full control of receiver development immediately
- Players adjust to new coaching voice and expectations
- Blocking drills become a regular part of receiver practice
- Team manages change – just another hurdle at start of training camp
- Season preparation continues with new coaching alignment
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- This happened very fast – within 24 hours of camp starting
- No scandal or drama – appears to be a "natural parting" due to philosophy differences
- Davis was already on staff – not an outside hire, so transition should be smoother
- New offense demands tough receivers – blocking is now a must, not a "want to"
- Deion Sanders confirmed retirement – Phillips wasn’t fired, he chose to step down
Summary
Colorado football’s fall camp barely started before the receivers coach position changed hands. Jason Phillips retired (after initial reports of a family issue), and Rashad Davis – who was already on staff – took over. The switch makes sense because new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion wants receivers who block aggressively, while Phillips believed blocking was an internal desire that didn’t need drills. Davis had already signaled he wanted a more hands-on role. The team now moves forward with coaching alignment that matches the new "Go-Go" offensive system.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: What is "fall camp" anyway?
A: Think of it like preseason boot camp. College football teams practice intensely for weeks before the season starts to get in shape, learn plays, and figure out who plays where.
Q: Why does a receivers coach need to care about blocking?
A: Receivers aren’t just for catching! On running plays and screen passes, they must block defenders to help their teammates gain yards. The new offense needs them to do this every play.
Q: Was Jason Phillips fired?
A: No. Deion Sanders clarified on social media that Phillips chose to retire. The "family issue" report came first, but the head coach set the record straight.
Q: Who is Rashad Davis?
A: He was already a coach on Colorado’s staff. In the spring, he said his role was shifting to more direct player development. Now he’s officially the receivers coach.
Q: Will this hurt the team?
A: Probably not long-term. Davis knows the players and system. The change happened before serious game prep, giving everyone time to adjust. It actually aligns the coaching with the new offensive philosophy.
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