Sports

Colorado Assistant Defends QB After Misinterpreted Comment On Coaching Malpractice

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Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Brennan Marion clarified Juju Lewis's comments about coaching.


Colorado quarterback Juju Lewis went viral for the wrong reason at Big 12 Media Day due to an unfortunate comment made about poor game planning. The remark, to many, hinted at coaching malpractice.

New offensive coordinator Brennan Marion came to Lewis’s defense on Thursday. He suggested that the comment was misinterpreted and taken out of context.

The play caller attempted to provide clarity with a message on social media. Lewis didn’t mean exactly what was said.

Juju Lewis reflected on his freshman year at Colorado.

The former four-star signal caller is prepping for Year 2 under center in Boulder. Most expect him to be the team’s starter as a sophomore.

He experienced growing pains in his debut season. He appeared in four games with two starts, completing 55% of his passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns. The Buffs went 1-3 in those contests.

His first start was largely a success as he threw for nearly 300 yards and two scores against West Virginia. Colorado still lost by a touchdown. The second start was forgettable as the Buffs were blown out at home by Arizona State.

Both of those starts came after the demotion of former offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. Lewis insinuated that he was not properly prepped for success.

“I’m actually looking at the defenses now,” he said in reflection. “Last year, we wasn’t really looking at the defenses much, just kind of high school freeballin.'”

A narrative was immediately sparked. The Colorado football team did not watch film.

Brennan Marion suggests that’s not the case. While he wasn’t in the Colorado football building last year, he believes the comment had another meaning.

Buffs OC provides clarity.

Marion, instead, insists that Juju Lewis was speaking on his own personal abilities to read defenses. He was a freshman. He was playing off of instinct. Marion is familiar.

“I remember (my first college start),” Marion said. “Coaching points went out the window. I was just running fast.” He urged others to offer insights into their debuts, too.

Comfort comes with experience. The game is much faster at the P4 level, even for the most talented high school recruits. No position requires more brains and attention to detail than quarterback. Lewis didn’t yet possess the skillset.

The passer believes he’s moving in the right direction, albeit under new leadership.

Brennan Marion comes to Colorado with an impressive resume. The former Sacramento State play caller was nominated for Offensive Coordinator of the Year while at UNLV.

The hope is that he can quickly turn around a Buffs unit that ranked 116th in scoring last season. Juju Lewis will play a large role in those efforts.

With more experience and a proven play caller, Lewis is excited about the future.