Copyright Athlon Sports
Deion Sanders’ college coaching career has been one of the most captivating stories in recent college football history. From his early success at Jackson State to his high-profile move to Colorado, Sanders quickly became one of the sport’s most recognizable figures. His bold personality, recruiting prowess, and star power helped breathe new life into the Buffaloes program. In 2024, Colorado delivered its best season in over two decades, finishing 9-4 with a 7-2 Big 12 record and an Alamo Bowl appearance. Led by his son and starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way standout Travis Hunter, the Buffaloes were one of college football’s most-watched teams. But a year later, the momentum has faded, and the program has begun to struggle under heightened expectations. Through nine weeks of the 2025 season, Colorado sits at 3-5 following a 53-7 blowout loss to the Utah Utes. The offense has sputtered without Shedeur, and the defense has failed to replicate last year’s energy. The downturn has reignited discussion around Sanders’ long-term commitment to the program – and whether he could be nearing the end of his college coaching journey. On a recent episode of The Right Time podcast, host Bomani Jones was joined by The Ringer’s Joel Anderson to discuss Sanders’ future. Asked if Sanders will be the coach of the Buffaloes in 2026, Anderson suggested that 2025 could be his final year on the sidelines. The conversation pointed to multiple factors: his ongoing health challenges, the departure of his sons from the program, and his public discomfort with recruiting. Anderson argued that Sanders’ lack of deep ties to Colorado, coupled with the program’s recruiting limitations, could lead him to step away once this season concludes. He added that if Sanders had taken the TCU job years ago, his trajectory might have looked very different. Sanders’ situation is further complicated by his recently extended contract. In March 2025, Colorado signed him to a five-year, $54 million deal running through 2029, with a $10 million base salary and significant annual raises. The agreement also includes a $12 million buyout if he departs before the end of this season, declining each year thereafter. While the extension signals institutional confidence, it also shows how intertwined Sanders’ legacy and Colorado’s future have become. Whether he chooses to stay or steps away, Sanders’ next move could be one of the biggest talking points of the offseason.
