Deion Sanders Floated as Replacement Option for $23 Million College Football Coach
There are no shortage of college football rumors surrounding Deion Sanders' future with the Colorado Buffaloes. For his part, Sanders has attempted to squash the notion that he has his eyes on other jobs.
Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter's eventual jump to the NFL draft has prompted speculation that Coach Prime could look elsewhere. CBS Sports reported that the popular consensus among sources is that Sanders will return to Boulder, Colorado, but there are a few potential job openings that make some sense.
"CBS Sports spoke to over 10 sources throughout college and pro football who sit on each side of one of college football's most intriguing questions: Will Sanders remain the head coach at Colorado after this season?" CBS Sports' Richard Johnson, Brandon Marcello and John Talty pondered on Wednesday.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders calls in a play against the Utah Utes.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
"Current polling tips towards the consensus that he will be at Colorado in 2025, though a degree of skepticism remains given the unpredictable coaching carousel and Sanders' tendency to cut against the grain."
Smart money remains on Sanders returning to Colorado for 2025, but what programs could catch the eye of Coach Prime? CBS Sports floated the UCF Knights as a potential fit for the Florida native if current head coach Gus Malzahn were to retire.
"If Gus Malzahn were to retire, fellow Big 12 school UCF would be an intriguing fit, especially as it's centrally located in Florida," Johnson, Marcello and Talty added. "Sanders has said that he's responsible for their biggest-ever recruiting weekend when the Buffs played the Knights this fall, and he's pursued multiple recruits from in-state power IMG Academy a few hours away in Bradenton."
This idea only makes sense if Malzahn retired as UCF would owe a $13.7 million buyout if the program cut ties with the veteran coach as of Dec. 1, per USA Today. Sanders' buyout tops $14 million at Colorado.
It is unrealistic to think UCF would pay both buyouts plus Sanders' 2025 salary. Malzahn signed a $23 million contract extension in 2023 that runs through 2027, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.
For now, Sanders is focused on attempting to land Colorado in the Big 12 title game. UCF needs to win its final two games to become bowl eligible.
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