Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders (Photo courtesy of AP News)
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has done a remarkable job in turning around the Colorado football team in just two seasons. Sanders has the Buffaloes sitting at 9-3 for the year and poised for a high-level bowl game. The biggest question now is what’s the next move for Sanders? Does he stay at Colorado, or does he find a new opportunity?
Colorado was only one win away from a spot in the Big 12 Conference Championship game and if they won that game, they would have been in the 12-team playoff that will determine the national champion. Unfortunately for Sanders and the Buffaloes, they lost 37-21 against Kansas a few weeks ago that eliminated them from the championship game.
Even though Colorado won’t be playing in the playoff this season, they have no reason to hang their heads. No one, not even me, felt Colorado would win nine games this season. The Buffaloes are currently ranked No. 23 in the nation and are one of the most explosive offensive teams in the country. There is a lot to be proud of for the Buffaloes and their fans.
With the success Sanders has enjoyed this season as the head coach for Colorado, the rumor mill has exploded wide open on where he will coach next season. This must scare the Buffaloes administration because Sanders seems to have plenty of options. Let’s take a look at a few of the options and my thoughts about them.
Staying at Colorado
Of course, the powers that be want Deion to stay at Colorado. They have just witnessed the best season on the football field for Colorado in the last eight years and they have recruited very well (No. 37 for 2025 class overall). So, it appears the Buffaloes are just reloading and not rebuilding.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Adam Rittenberg, one person with the Colorado football program said Sanders is “acting as if” he will be with the team next season.
“I think he’s all in,” the person said. “Normally, you can tell when guys are fed up and they’re trying to leave and they’re unhappy. They’re probably going to pay him a lot of money, extend his contract, keep him happy.”
I don’t think Sanders’ happiness is the determining factor in whether he leaves Colorado for another opportunity. What people are not taking into account is the fact that Deion has coached both his sons for their entire lives and next season, neither of Sanders’ sons will be on the roster. This will also be the final season as a Colorado Buffalo for Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter – as it is almost a certainty that he will forego his senior season and enter next year’s NFL Draft.
Not having his sons nor Hunter on the roster could enable another university to come in and entice Sanders to leave the Colorado program for greener pastures. There are several coaching vacancies in Power 4 conferences, and I am sure there will be more to follow in the upcoming weeks. I think Colorado will do everything in their power to keep Sanders on campus, but I am not sure it will be enough if the right position opens up for Sanders.
Moving on to another opportunity in college
I am truly curious to see what Florida State will do with Mike Norvell. After finishing the 2023 season perfect at 13-0, things have gone downhill rapidly for Norvell and the Seminoles. Following the season ending injury to starting quarterback Jordan Travis, the Noles were left out of the College Football Playoff and were demolished in the 2023 Orange Bowl by Georgia with the score of 63-3.
Many starters chose not to participate in the bowl game after being left out of the playoff. Fast forward to this season and it was one of the worst in program history. Florida State finished with a 2-10 record and were dead last in the ACC rankings. What if the Seminoles decide to move on from Norvell?
School administrators chose to go with Norvell over Sanders when there was an opening back in 2019. If the Seminoles decide to move on from Norvell, Sanders would be the perfect candidate for the job. He is a Florida State alum and hall of famer. He has shown he is one of the best recruiters in the country and he does well in the transfer portal. It just makes sense.
There will be other enticing coaching positions that will open up once the season concludes. There have been rumors that Ryan Day is on the hot seat at Ohio State University. That is a top-tier program that I am sure Sanders would be open to listening to their offer. The Buckeyes are perennial national championship contenders so they definitely have the resources that would attract a coach like Sanders.
Moving on to the NFL
If Sanders is tired of the grind of college football, he could always throw his hat in the ring for an NFL position. I don’t think he will want to leave college football but who knows if he has the itch to coach on the professional level.
There have been a couple of head coaches that have already been let go and there will be more once the season concludes. Sanders is one of the most talked about coaches on the college level and NFL owners always love to appear to be the smartest by hiring the new hot name on the market. Plus, we all know an owner like Jerry Jones has no problem shocking the sports world by hiring a coach like Sanders with limited head coaching experience.
Once again, I don’t think Deion is interested in moving on to the NFL, but he has shocked us before and could do it again. We don’t know where Sanders will coach next year so these next few months should be filled with rumors and insider information on where he will go. One thing is for sure. Wherever Deion goes, the media circus and more wins are sure to follow. Stay tuned.
