Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders is preparing to enter his fourth season in Boulder.
However, before embarking on another season to prove that he is the right man to lead the program, Sanders received a significant warning about his future from Denver Broncos legend Mark Schlereth.
Mark Schlereth Reveals What Could Decide Deion Sanders’ Future in Colorado
Colorado struggled to adjust after Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter moved on to the NFL. The Buffaloes finished the 2025 season with a disappointing 3-9 record.
Now, Sanders and his team are only weeks away from beginning the 2026 football season. Yet, questions about the veteran coach’s future in Boulder have already started to emerge.
A fan recently took to Twitter to ask how much longer Colorado would continue employing Sanders. Schlereth responded directly, offering a blunt assessment that places the pressure firmly on Coach Prime entering the new season.
“Depends on how many games they win this year,” Schlereth wrote.
Depends on how many games they win this year https://t.co/H6PKjd4wwd
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) August 13, 2026
The 2025 season was particularly challenging for Coach Prime, one where he was quietly battling bladder cancer. He underwent major surgery and treatment while simultaneously trying to manage the demands of leading a college football program.
However, the Hall of Famer has already assured fans that he is entering the 2026 season fully healthy and ready to lead the Buffaloes.
Colorado has plenty of areas to improve, particularly on defense. The Buffaloes’ defense ranked No. 135 among 136 teams last season, surrendering an alarming average of 222.5 rushing yards per game. In PFN’s Defense Impact Metrics, the Buffaloes came in at #77 last season.
Sanders is overseeing significant structural changes as he attempts to guide Colorado back toward bowl contention in 2026. As part of that effort, Sanders made major changes to his coaching staff.
He hired Brennan Marion as offensive coordinator and Chris Marve as defensive coordinator. Both additions are expected to help address Colorado’s struggles with rushing efficiency on both sides of the ball.
The Buffaloes have also made progress on the recruiting front. Colorado’s 2027 recruiting class currently ranks among the top three in the Big 12. Sanders has also revealed that the program continues to explore whether former players from the 2022 recruiting class could return after a recent eligibility ruling opened the door for them to receive another season.
Still, Coach Prime has consistently defined “winning” as something much broader than simply the number displayed on the scoreboard. During Fall Sports Media Day at Folsom Field on Friday, Sanders explained his broader vision of success and what he ultimately wants his players to accomplish beyond football.
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“These kids graduate,” he said. “Getting to the next level. What I mean is a six-figure career, if football is not their destination… For guys who do get to the next level, they last 5-10 years… We want to win, profoundly.”
While Sanders’ definition of winning extends beyond football, Schlereth’s warning shows the reality of coaching at the highest level of college football. Ultimately, Colorado’s on-field results could play a major role in determining whether Sanders remains in Boulder beyond the 2026 season.
The Buffaloes will begin their 2026 campaign on the road against Georgia Tech on Thursday, September 3.
