Deion Sanders is aiming for a comeback following the toughest of his three seasons since stepping into the Power Four level. Newly appointed athletic director Fernando Lovo arrived at Colorado to help spark that turnaround.
Lovo said this week that he has made an effort to attend as many spring practices as possible to get a firsthand look at the football operations, from understanding the schemes to observing their implementation. He praised Sanders for his coaching ability, but said what stood out was his character.
Fernando Lovo Highlights Deion Sanders’ Character Amid Colorado Rebuild
“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him and getting around him for my first three months here,” Lovo said. “Beyond all of that, the individual that he is, the type of person that he is, and his commitment to the young men in that locker room and really his staff, how much he pours into them has been something that’s just been so incredible to witness.
“He’s an amazing coach, but he’s an even better person. Last year didn’t go how he expected, and he’s been open about it. We all know that we have high expectations for our program, but none have higher expectations for that program than Coach Prime. He wants this program to be successful. He pours everything into it. He loves this place. He loves the young men in that locker room. And I’m really excited about what I’ve seen on the field, but even more so about what I’ve gotten to know about him off the field and the type of person that he is.”
Before arriving in Colorado, Lovo spent a year as athletic director at New Mexico and previously held administrative roles at Texas, Ohio State, and Houston, as well as a stint as chief of staff for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Colorado brought him in on a five-year deal worth $1.2 million annually, replacing Rick George, who transitioned into an AD emeritus role. Lovo’s primary responsibility is helping guide the Buffaloes back on track after a 3-9 season in 2025.
At his introductory press conference in January, Lovo expressed a vision of turning Colorado into a “global brand,” while focusing on the importance of providing Sanders with the necessary resources to succeed. He told The Athletic last month that his relationship with Sanders will be important in shaping Colorado’s future.
“We’re in a critical juncture right now in our enterprise,” Lovo told The Athletic. “We need a successful and healthy football program for us to make sure that we’re continuing to put our best foot forward.
“Every conversation is rooted in what does the coach need to be successful and how do we deliver that to him? At the end of the day, it all comes down to trust and alignment. He has to trust me, and I have to trust him, and that only happens with time.”
Colorado finished last season with a 74.4 score in the PFSN College Football Offense Impact Metric, ranking No. 80 nationally. A challenge for the Buffaloes will be improving their offense as they open the 2026 season on Sept. 3 at Georgia Tech.
