Colorado’s Grip on Deion Sanders Hangs by a Thread As Head Coach Faces $12M Decision

With a 1-4 record in Big 12 play, Colorado's potential move of parting ways with Deion Sanders involves a hefty $12 million decision.

The 2025 season has been far from ideal for Deion Sanders, with the Colorado Buffaloes holding a 1-4 record in Big 12 play. The squad just suffered a 53-7 blowout loss to Utah last weekend and dropped to 3-5 overall this season.

This season has already witnessed several big head coach firings, including Brian Kelly, James Franklin, Billy Napier, Mike Gundy, and DeShaun Foster. With Colorado’s struggles throughout the season, Coach Prime’s name has also occasionally popped up in similar conversations.

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Is Colorado Going To Fire Deion Sanders?

In CBS Sports’ college football show, sports insider John Talty shared his viewpoint about Colorado’s potential to fire Coach Prime.

“I think that in terms of losing his job, it is cool,” Talty said (3:25). “In terms of speculation, he might step away is scorching hot because there is going to continue to be questions about his well-publicized health issues amidst them not succeeding. There is a lot of industry speculation, like does he want to step away (and take a leave of absence, for all these different things.

“So I don’t think Colorado has any interest right now in letting Deion go. He has been great for them from a financial standpoint. He’s led to a lot of interest. We saw him have success a year ago. Like, I don’t think he’s in danger of being fired in any way.”

Joel Anderson of The Ringer also said that Sanders’ journey with the Buffaloes could be nearing its end, citing his health issues as a possible factor. Coach Prime has recently dealt with complications from blood clots and bladder cancer and underwent another procedure to address the clots in August.

Meanwhile, some have also raised questions about Sanders’ long-term commitment to CU following the departures of his sons, Shedeur and Shilo. In January, Sanders was linked to several NFL coaching opportunities, but he said that he would only consider moving to the NFL if he could coach both of his sons.

Sanders signed a five-year, $54 million extension with Colorado in March that runs through 2029. If he chooses to leave before December 31, his buyout would be $12 million, which will decrease each year after. His previous contract had an $8 million buyout if he left before the end of this season.

Sanders is currently in the middle of his third season as head coach of the Buffaloes and has gone 16-17 in Boulder. The Buffaloes are ranked as the No. 38 team in the nation in the PFSN CFB Playoff Meter.

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