Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is set to add former NFL linebacker Xavier Adibi to his defensive staff for the 2026 season, a move that underscores the program’s aggressive push to rebuild its front seven.
Adibi, who most recently served as inside linebackers coach and defensive coordinator at East Texas A&M, also spent several years in the same role at Virginia Tech, where he helped shape a unit that consistently ranked among the nation’s most efficient.
A coordinated overhaul
Sanders has used the offseason to overhaul both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, bringing in new coordinators and assistants with proven track records of developing linebackers and pass rushers.
The Buffaloes’ linebacker group struggled with consistency in the previous campaign, often missing tackles and failing to generate pressure, issues that the coaching staff hopes Adibi’s expertise will directly address.
Alongside Adibi, the program has secured commitments from emerging talents Gideon Lampron and Liona Lefau, two prospects who are expected to inject speed and versatility into the position group.
Sports journalist Matt Zenitz was among the first to report the hiring, highlighting the strategic intent behind the addition and its timing within Sanders’ broader staff reshaping.
Looking ahead
The staff’s experience brings a focus on developing linebackers, which aligns with the program’s goals for the upcoming season.