After a stellar first season as a defensive coordinator, Colorado’s Robert Livingston had opportunities to go elsewhere.

It was reported last month that one of those opportunities came with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, as Livingston interviewed for the defensive coordinator position and made a good impression.

Ultimately, Livingston chose to come back to CU for a second year, and he was rewarded with a new two-year contract through 2026 that makes him the highest-paid assistant coach in program history, worth an average of $1.55 million in base and supplemental salary.

So, he was asked, why stay in Boulder?

“Why not?” he said. “This is a special place. … I believe it. I’m very loyal. They gave me a chance, and you know, I want to see that through. … It was gonna take something really special to move my family again. We talked about it. I’m thrilled to be here. It’s a phenomenal blessing and just excited for the future.”

Livingston spent 12 years as an assistant with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals before CU head coach Deion Sanders hired him as the Buffaloes’ defensive coordinator last year. Livingston led a resurgence for the defense, helping CU finish 9-4.

“They brought me here, and they changed my life,” he said. “They changed my family’s life, so it’s my job to not let them down. … It’s year two, but hey, dude, you can’t blow this. You’ve got to do a great job. That’s what I’m excited for.”

Tight end threat

CU hasn’t put a lot of emphasis on the tight end position in the past two years, but that could change with the addition of Zach Atkins, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior who transferred from Northwest Missouri State.

“I think tight ends are so important,” CU offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “I lived in a league forever where tight ends in the NFL are very, very important pieces to your offense. So you’re in 11 and 12 personnel a lot.”

Shurmur said the Buffs got “a lot out of our guys” last year, particularly converted defensive end Sav’ell Smalls, who returns. But, the Buffs were primarily a 10-personnel team (one running back, no tight ends, four receivers). Atkins could give them options.

“Going out to get Zach, hopefully, to give us the flexibility to be in more 11, 12 personnel,” Shurmur said. “The tight end is a key position, not only blocking the edge of the line scrimmage but also in the passing game, whether they’re protecting or getting open on routes. I think we’ve got a little bit more diverse roster this year, which will allow us to do more things.”

Atkins caught 30 passes in his three seasons at Northwest Missouri State.

In addition to Atkins and Smalls, the Buffs return Sam Hart, who missed most of the year with an injury, as well as walk-ons Brady Kopetz and Charlie Williams. True freshman Corbin Laisure is also with the team this spring, while freshman Zayne DeSouza will join the squad in the summer.

Leadership potential

Safety Tawfiq Byard joined the Buffs this spring after two seasons at South Florida, including last year as a starter.

The younger brother of two-time NFL All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, now with the Chicago Bears, Tawfiq could be a leader for the Buffs as he tries to fill the shoes of graduating senior Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig.

“Genetics are always a good thing,” said Livingston, who coaches the safeties. “So with Tawfiq’s brother being who he is, if we get some of that, that would be great. He played a similar role at USF. They were a little bit different defensively. They played some more shell and things like that that maybe we can get to.

“We’ll see how the spring goes. But it’s hard for me to put that crown of Cam on somebody else. … Cam was a special dude to me, so I’ve got to see that.”