The Colorado Buffaloes will keep Deion Sanders as their head coach after the Dallas Cowboys rumors proved false.
Sanders told Front Office Sports this week that he never considered leaving Boulder for the NFL.
“They weren’t real at all,” Coach Prime said of the speculation linking him to Dallas. “I liked playing the pro game, but I wouldn’t enjoy coaching the pro game. It’s a different game.”
The rumors focused on the 2025 coaching cycle, not this past offseason. The Cowboys moved on from Mike McCarthy and hired Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach instead.
Many assumed Sanders might leave Colorado after his sons Shedeur and Shilo finished their college careers. Two-way star Travis Hunter also completed his time with the Buffaloes, making this season a natural transition point.
Sanders stayed put.
College football continues to become more professionalized with NIL deals and the transfer portal. But Sanders sees clear differences between coaching college players and NFL veterans.
“I’m focused on winning and getting these kids through college so they have degrees, and they’re able to attain tremendous professions even after football is over,” Sanders told Front Office Sports.
“But I have no thought process of the NFL whatsoever.”
The coach’s commitment gives Colorado stability as they build their program. Sanders transformed the Buffaloes into a national story during his tenure in Boulder.
Most coaches develop a preference for either college or professional football. The recruiting process, transfer portal management, and mentoring young players creates a different environment than the NFL’s veteran-heavy rosters.
Sanders played 14 seasons in the NFL with five different teams. His coaching experience focuses entirely on the college level, starting at Jackson State before moving to Colorado.
Colorado fans can expect Sanders to continue leading the program. The Cowboys will test whether Schottenheimer can improve on his first season results.
