- NCAA. Deion Sanders dances into a new era as big changes loom for Colorado Buffaloes
- NCAA. Shedeur Sanders silences all his critics with deep ball throws that shows how elite and NFL ready he is
When Deion Sanders, better known as Coach Prime, took over the Colorado Buffaloes football program in 2023, he didn't do it for the money because there wasn't any. Literally. Athletic Director Rick George even itted it, saying, "We don't have the money yet, but I know we'll have it." Sanders believed anyway. He believed in the vision, in the challenge, and most importantly, in the young men he would be leading.
That leap of faith became real the moment Sanders embraced the athletic director on the field. Surrounded by police escorts and cameras, the two men locked into a hug that symbolized something deeper than a coaching hire: it was the start of a movement. Coach Prime brought more than football to Boulder. He brought energy, identity, and a powerful philosophy rooted in something greater than wins and losses. This image says more than words ever could.
Deion Sanders is building more than a football team
Sanders' impact starts long before game day. His mission has always been to build men, not just players. At the heart of his leadership is LIT "Leaders in Training" a program designed to teach discipline, integrity, and comion. He preaches that before you can dominate on the field, you must be grounded off of it. That includes ability, spiritual wellness, and the humility to lift others as you rise.
The results have been undeniable. When Sanders arrived, Colorado was coming off a disastrous 1-11 season. Within a year, the Buffaloes stormed back to go 9-4 and earned a spot in the Alamo Bowl. More importantly, the team found its identity. With stars like his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and two-way phenom Travis Hunter, the Buffs quickly became one of the most talked-about teams in college football.
With Shedeur, Travis, and other key players leaving Colorado, a new wave of talent is arriving and with Deion Sanders' contract extension, the Buffaloes are officially entering a new era.
Earlier this year, rumors swirled that Sanders could jump to the NFL especially with Shedeur declaring for the 2025 Draft. But Coach Prime made his priorities clear. In March, he signed a five-year, $54 million contract extension with Colorado. He'll make $10 million in 2025, rising to $12 million by 2029. That deal now places him among the top ten highest-paid coaches in all of college football.
Just behind names like Kirby Smart and Dabo Swinney, Sanders is now being compensated at the level his impact deserves. But if you ask him, it's never about the money, it's about the mission. And the fact that Colorado found the money says everything about how much they believe in him too.
Deion Sanders didn't just take a job. He took a calling. What started as a risk Colorado hiring a coach they literally couldn't afford has turned into a cultural awakening. From a 1-win team to national contenders, from zero budget to multimillion-dollar contracts, it's been a story of belief and transformation.