Former NFL safety Vonn Bell joining Deion Sanders' Colorado staff as an analyst

Former NFL safety Vonn Bell is now a member of Deion Sanders’ coaching staff at Colorado while Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp is not.

Bell was revealed as an analyst for the Buffaloes ahead of the 2026 season as the program revealed its defensive coaching lineup on Saturday. Former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Chris Marve is now leading the Buffaloes defense following the departure of defensive coordinator Robert Livingston to the Denver Broncos.

Bell last played in the NFL in 2024 when he returned for a fourth season with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played 139 games across nine seasons in the league after starting his career with the New Orleans Saints before joining Cincinnati ahead of their run to the Super Bowl in the 2020 season. He played one season in Carolina in 2023 before coming back to the Bengals.

Earlier in the week, Colorado said that Sapp had resigned from the coaching staff “to pursue other opportunities.” Sapp was an analyst during the 2024 season and was the team’s pass rush coordinator in 2025. After a nine-win season in 2024, Colorado was an abysmal 3-9 in 2025.

Longtime college football and NFL assistant Clancy Pendergast is also now a member of Colorado’s coaching staff. Pendergast was a defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs before serving as defensive coordinator for both Cal and USC in the 2010s.