Chris Marve

Chris Marve
Current position
TitleDefensive coordinator & linebackers coach
TeamColorado
ConferenceBig 12
Biographical details
Born (1989-03-01) March 1, 1989 (age 37)
Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Playing career
2007–2011Vanderbilt
PositionLinebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2014Vanderbilt (DQC)
2015Vanderbilt (GA)
2016–2018Vanderbilt (ILB)
2019Mississippi State (DRC/LB)
2020–2021Florida State (LB)
2022–2024Virginia Tech (DC/ILB)
2026–presentColorado (DC/LB)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
As player

Christopher Ryan Marve (born March 1, 1989) is an American college football coach and former linebacker who is the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Colorado Boulder. He previously served as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Virginia Tech from 2022 to 2024.

Marve played college football at Vanderbilt as a linebacker from 2007 to 2011. He began his coaching career at Vanderbilt in 2014 and also previously served as an assistant coach at Mississippi State University and Florida State University.

Early life

Marve attended White Station High School in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was two-year team captain and team MVP. He was voted Tennessee 5A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year in 2007, the first recipient ever from White Station. He helped the Spartans to a 12-2 overall record in 2006 and the 5A state semifinals, recording 178 total tackles, including 133 solo stops, four QB sacks and eight forced fumbles as a senior.

Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Marve was not ranked among the nation's top linebacker prospects. He committed to Vanderbilt, from which he received his only scholarship offer, on June 7, 2006.

Playing career

After redshirting his first year at Vanderbilt, Marve started as a redshirt freshman and registered a team-best 51 solo stops, 6.5 tackles for loss, and three quarterback sacks. He was named to College Football News′ All-Freshman first team, as well as Rivals.com′s 2008 Freshman All-America team.

Marve also was a member of the Nu Rho chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at Vanderbilt.

Coaching career

Vanderbilt

In 2014, Marve began his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach at his alma mater Vanderbilt University under head coach Derek Mason. In 2015, he served as a graduate assistant. In 2016, Marve was promoted to inside linebackers coach.

Mississippi State

On March 1, 2019, Marve was named the defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach under head coach Joe Moorhead.

Florida State

On December 24, 2019, Marve was hired as the linebackers coach at Florida State University under head coach Mike Norvell.

Virginia Tech

On December 7, 2021, Marve was hired at Virginia Tech as their defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach under head coach Brent Pry. On December 12, 2024, Marve was fired from Virginia Tech.

Colorado

On December 20, 2025, Marve was hired as the linebackers coach at the University of Colorado Boulder under head coach Deion Sanders. On February 28, 2026, Marve was promoted to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

References

  1. ↑ "Deion Sanders Adds Veteran Defensive Leader as Linebackers Coach". Sports Illustrated. December 20, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Pry adds Chris Marve to Tech coaching staff as defensive coordinator". Virginia Tech Athletics. December 7, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Chris Marve - Football Coach". Florida State. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  4. ↑ Chris Marve Profile - Football Recruiting - Rivals.com
  5. ↑ Cirminiello, Richard (December 11, 2008). "2008 CFN All-Freshman Defensive Team". College Football News. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Rivals.com 2008 Freshman All-America teams". Rivals.com. December 17, 2008. Archived from the original on June 4, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Chris Marve Named Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Linebackers Coach". Mississippi State Bulldogs. March 1, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  8. ↑ Newberg, Josh (December 24, 2019). "FSU officially announces Chris Marve as linebacker coach". 247Sports. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Pry adds Chris Marve to Tech coaching staff as defensive coordinator". Virginia Tech Hokies. December 7, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  10. ↑ Rittenberg, Adam (December 12, 2024). "Virginia Tech fires Chris Marve as defensive coordinator". ESPN. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  11. ↑ Gorski, Thomas (December 20, 2025). "Deion Sanders Adds Veteran Defensive Leader as Linebackers Coach". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  12. ↑ Snyder, Curtis (February 28, 2026). "Colorado Elevates Chris Marve To Defensive Coordinator". Colorado Buffaloes. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Robert Livingston on the move to join Broncos staff, Chris Marve now the new defensive coordinator in Boulder". 247Sports. February 25, 2026. Retrieved August 15, 2026.