After a terrible 2025 season, Deion Sanders and Colorado opened 2026 with a dramatic 14-13 win over Georgia Tech. The win sparked optimism among the Buffaloes’ fan base, but Denver Broncos icon Mark Schlereth remains skeptical about Colorado’s potential.
As Schlereth voiced his ongoing concerns about the Buffaloes, one fan questioned his negativity toward Sanders. However, the three-time Super Bowl champion stood his ground.
Mark Schlereth Fires Back at Colorado Fan After Deion Sanders Criticism
Colorado appeared to be on the verge of letting a major upset slip away against Georgia Tech when the Yellow Jackets moved into field-goal range after quarterback Alberto Mendoza connected with wide receiver Dalen Penson for a 42-yard gain.
However, Colorado’s Boo Carter came up with the decisive play by blocking Aidan Birr’s 45-yard field-goal attempt as time expired. The Buffaloes fan base is still celebrating the dramatic victory, but Schlereth remains skeptical about what Colorado can accomplish this season.
Schlereth, along with Brandon Stokley and Mike Evans, discussed the concerns about the Buffaloes during an appearance on Denver Sports 104.3.
That was when one fan decided to take a shot at Schlereth.
“If I was Coach Prime, with “Friends” like Mark Schlereth, I just wouldn’t even have friends lol. It’s like when some of his “fRiEnDs” speak, it’s never anything positive or uplifting. The way that Coach Prime’s confidence insults these men’s insecurities needs to be studied,” the fan ranted.
If I was coach prime , with “Friends” like @markschlereth , I just wouldn’t even have friends lol It’s like when some of his “fRiEnDs” speak it’s never anything positive or uplifting. The way that coach primes confidence insults these men insecurities, needs to be studied 😂 https://t.co/J3uYy3YlHa
— Mont (@YouKnowMont) September 5, 2026
However, Schlereth quickly pushed back against the criticism.
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“How soft are you? I have praised Prime since he got to CU Boulder. Still have to win. This year and Thursday night was a great start, even though it wasn’t a great game,” Schlereth wrote.
How soft are you? I have praised Prime since he got to CU Boulder. Still have to win. This year and Thursday night was a great start, even though it wasn’t a great game. https://t.co/9QLHJvwv9H
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) September 5, 2026
This is not the first time Schlereth has questioned Sanders. Last month, he expressed frustration with the Colorado coach following the Buffaloes’ disappointing 3-9 season in 2025 and the amount of off-field attention the program received.
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When a fan called out Schlereth, saying white people hate Sanders, he had a befitting reply.
“Deion is a friend of mine… But this is a production business! Whether you’re a player or you’re a coach, if you don’t produce wins, you get fired… Get good or get gone is what we always used to say in the locker room,” Schlereth wrote.
It remains too early to determine just how good Colorado can be this season. Still, beating a well-coached Georgia Tech team on the road by controlling the ground game on both sides of the ball was undoubtedly an encouraging start.
Colorado will now turn its attention to Weber State in Week 2, allowing the Buffaloes an opportunity to build on their victory and start the season with a spotless 2-0 record.
