Deion Sanders, the charismatic and often enigmatic head football coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, addressed the swirling rumors surrounding his future with the program during a press conference this Monday, kicking off the spring football season. While speculation has been rampant regarding a potential contract extension for "Coach Prime," Sanders downplayed the immediate importance of personal financial gains, emphasizing his commitment to solidifying the foundation of his coaching staff and ensuring the program possesses the resources necessary for sustained success.
"I ain’t worried about me," Sanders stated emphatically when directly questioned about ongoing contract negotiations with the University. "Let’s get everybody else straight first. Then I’m good." This sentiment underscores Sanders’ prioritization of his staff and program over his individual compensation, a theme that has resonated throughout his tenure in Boulder. He acknowledged the existence of potential discussions with the university, albeit in a vague manner, simply stating "Maybe" when pressed for details.
Sanders is currently in the third year of a five-year contract that extends through 2027. In the previous year, he earned a guaranteed salary of $5.7 million, positioning him among the top-paid coaches within the Big 12 Conference’s public universities. However, recent developments and Sanders’ own cryptic pronouncements have ignited uncertainty about his long-term commitment to the Buffaloes.
Earlier this month, Sanders raised eyebrows with a cryptic message delivered on "The Morning Run," a sports-related show. In a moment of seemingly unprompted candor, he proclaimed, "These people better go and get money money and stop playing. Bye. Bye." The ambiguity of this statement fueled speculation regarding its intended target. It remained unclear whether Sanders was referencing the need for increased financial investment in his coaching staff, player compensation through NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities, or even his own potential contract renegotiations.
Furthermore, comments made by Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt, a former Colorado quarterback himself, added another layer of complexity to the situation. In January, Klatt asserted that Sanders had received a "very, very, very good offer in front of him from Colorado, and I dont know why it hasnt been signed." Klatt’s inside information suggested that a lucrative extension was on the table, leaving observers perplexed by the apparent lack of progress in finalizing the agreement.
Adding further intrigue, Sanders briefly entertained the possibility of joining the Dallas Cowboys after their head coaching position became vacant. While the flirtation was short-lived, it served as a reminder of Sanders’ undeniable appeal and the potential for other high-profile programs to pursue his services.
Despite the external noise, Sanders had previously hinted at his desire to remain in Boulder and build a championship-caliber program. In December, during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Sanders expressed confidence that "we’re gonna get something done to keep me here so that we can bring this wonderful city a national championship."
Sanders’ recent remarks shed light on the ongoing efforts to secure the long-term future of his coaching staff. Several assistant coaches, whose initial two-year contracts recently expired, are currently in negotiations for new deals, including linebackers coach Andre Hart. Sanders indicated that he is actively seeking to bolster his staff with additional talent and experience, hinting at impending announcements that could significantly impact the program’s trajectory.
"We have a couple more huge moves we’ll probably make this week, maybe one next week that you’re gonna really appreciate the understanding of how wonderful this staff is," Sanders revealed. "I always tell you, the rod and thy staff, they comfort me. And these guys we’re bringing in, along with these guys I just announced, gives me tremendous comfort."
In recent weeks, Sanders has already made significant additions to his coaching staff, including the hiring of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as the team’s running backs coach and former NFL lineman Domata Peko as a defensive line coach. Additionally, defensive coordinator Robert Livingston received a substantial pay raise, nearly doubling his salary from $800,000 to $1.5 million. However, the status of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur remains uncertain. Shurmur is slated to earn $850,000 this year under his existing contract, a figure considerably lower than Livingston’s compensation, raising questions about parity and potential concerns within the coaching ranks.
Beyond staffing matters, Sanders addressed the ongoing quarterback competition following the departure of his son, Shedeur Sanders, to the NFL draft. He also announced that the team’s annual spring game, scheduled for April 19th, will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Furthermore, he confirmed that Colorado’s pro timing day for NFL scouts will take place in Boulder on April 4th, providing an opportunity for his players to showcase their talents to professional teams.
Sanders emphasized the importance of maintaining a traditional spring game, even as other college programs contemplate eliminating the event due to concerns about potential player tampering. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule is among those who have publicly discussed the possibility of canceling spring games, citing fears that they could attract unwanted attention from rival teams seeking to poach players through the transfer portal.
Sanders dismissed these concerns, arguing that "You’re not gonna stop nobody from leaving your program by not having a spring game. If you want to save money, just say that." He believes that players who are genuinely considering transferring are already predisposed to leaving, regardless of whether a spring game is held. In fact, Sanders expressed interest in potentially enhancing the spring game experience by staging it against another team, creating a more competitive and engaging environment.
Looking ahead, Sanders suggested that he may add more players through the transfer portal next month. He also made a bold declaration about the current state of his team, asserting that "I feel like we will have a better team. I really do," despite the loss of key players, including Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and his son, Shedeur. Colorado finished the previous season with a 9-4 record, a significant improvement from their 4-8 mark in Sanders’ inaugural season in 2023.
Deion Sanders’ comments on Monday painted a complex picture of his current situation at Colorado. While the future remains uncertain, his dedication to his coaching staff and the overall success of the program is clear. The coming weeks and months will undoubtedly provide further clarity on Sanders’ long-term commitment to the Buffaloes and his vision for the program’s future.
