Deion Sanders Faces Mounting Pressure to Win at Colorado

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Deion Sanders Faces Pressure to Turn Colorado’s Recognition Into Wins

College football has been exciting this year, but two coaches are currently on the hot seat. One of them is Deion Sanders, who has unquestionably put Colorado back on the map.

Sanders is 19-26 as the Colorado Buffaloes’ head coach while making $11.5 million. He is 10-21 in conference play, 3-6 this season and 1-5 in the Big 12. Over the last two years, Colorado is 6-15.

Sanders has brought recognition, boosters and advertisers back to the program, but Colorado still has to win. When a coach makes that kind of money, he has to produce. Chris Cignnetti’s work in Bloomington shows the blueprint: You can win anywhere if you do it right.

Sanders also appears to have recruiting issues because he does not leave Boulder. He conducts Zoom interviews with potential players from behind his desk, but he needs to get out and recruit if he wants players to come to Colorado. The program must also offer meaningful reasons for them to want to play there.

Asked about his job security, Sanders said he does not think about it because his focus is on the young men in his program. He wants them to graduate and create change in their communities, lives and families. He said he is not worried about himself.

I believe him. I know Sanders, and I believe he cares about those players, their futures and their ability to become great people in their communities. However, coaches do not get merit badges for that in college football. Those are the kinds of players a coach should already be recruiting.

Sanders has to win football games, or it will be time for a change in Boulder.