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Colorado’s personnel department is undergoing a significant transition, one that reflects both the program’s growth under Deion Sanders and its expanding influence across college football.
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Memphis is expected to hire Colorado director of player personnel Corey Phillips as its new general manager, ending a pivotal chapter in the Buffaloes’ roster-building operation. At the same time, Colorado is expected to promote Darrius Darden-Box to director of player personnel after three seasons as the program’s director of recruiting.
From 2016 to 2020, Phillips served as co-recruiting coordinator at Vanderbilt before moving to NC State as recruiting coordinator in 2021. A season at LSU as co-recruiting coordinator followed in 2022, giving him SEC experience before Colorado elevated him to director of player personnel in 2023.
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Memphis’ decision to hire Phillips into a general manager role underscores how Colorado’s personnel infrastructure has gained national respect. Programs are no longer just pulling players from Boulder. They are pulling people.
Phillips’ farewell message made clear how deeply personal the journey had been, particularly his gratitude toward Deion Sanders, who entrusted him with helping reshape the program.
“Coach Prime, thank you for this unbelievable opportunity that you gave to a man you didn’t know, but only from a recommendation,” Phillips wrote. “Thank you for showing me that anything can be done if you just believe.”
Beyond THANKFUL🙏🏾 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LrJRNy8OtD
— Corey Phillips (@theyoungcoach) December 12, 2025That belief extended beyond roster construction. It defined how Sanders empowered his personnel staff, trusting evaluations, fostering accountability, and allowing the department to grow into something larger than traditional recruiting.
Just as meaningful was Phillips’ message to Darrius Darden-Box, the longtime recruiting director now expected to take over the role.
“Coach Box, in 2017 I told you if I ever got to hire somebody, you would be my first call,” Phillips wrote. “Thank you for riding with Unk on this journey. You are one of the best in all of football.”
The words read less like a goodbye and more like a handoff. Darden-Box has been inside the building through three seasons of transition, earning trust during a period defined by constant change. His promotion represents continuity at a moment when Colorado could have chosen reinvention.
Instead, the Buffaloes are leaning into stability. The program is showing that the Prime era is no longer just about rebuilding a roster. It is about developing people at every level.
Belief built the foundation. Now it is building careers.
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