Marshall Faulk may be an Aztec for life, but he’s a Buffalo for the time being.
The University of Colorado football program announced Thursday night that Faulk, 51, has been hired by head coach Deion Sanders as the Buffaloes’ running backs coach. It is the first college coaching job for Faulk, who spent a decade as an analyst for the NFL Network after his playing career ended.
The move gives Colorado three Pro Football Hall of Famers on its coaching staff — Sanders, Faulk and Warren Sapp, who is a senior defensive quality control analyst for the Buffs. Sanders and Faulk enshrined in Canton, Ohio, together in 2011.
There was no immediate comment from Faulk, who has been in New Orleans this week for the Super Bowl. It also was an opportunity to return to where he was born and raised. In fact, Faulk was honored Wednesday morning at his alma mater, New Orleans’ Carver High School, where a mural of him was unveiled.
Faulk’s 12-year pro career included winning the 1999 Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams and being named 2000 NFL MVP. He was a three-time Offensive Player of the Year, six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl pick. A threat rushing or catching the ball, Faulk finished his pro career as the only player in NFL history with 12,000 rushing and 6,000 receiving yards.
He was selected second overall in the 1994 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts after three All-American seasons at San Diego State. Faulk burst on the college football scene as a true freshman in a 1991 game against Pacific when he rushed for an NCAA-record 386 yards and seven touchdowns. He led the NCAA in rushing in both 1991 and 1992, finishing runner-up to Miami quarterback Gino Torretta for the Heisman Trophy his sophomore year.
Faulk went into the Aztecs Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2017, he became a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, ing three other from SDSU — former head coach Don Coryell (inducted in 1999), defensive end Fred Dryer (1997) and guard/linebacker George Brown (1985).
Colorado went 9-4 in 2024, but the Buffaloes offense was ineffective in the run game. They ranked last among 134 FBS teams in rushing with 65.2 yards a game.
Faulk is regarded as the greatest player in the history of the SDSU football program. He has been a frequent visitor to SDSU games over the years, serving almost annually as Honor Warrior. He was originally scheduled to be Honor Warrior this past season for the game against Washington State, although former Aztec linebacker Kyahva Tezino did the honors.
