This story has been updated from a previous version.
One of the more intriguing candidates to jump into a Power 5 job has been offered an opportunity to do just that.
Deion Sanders has been offered the Colorado job, according to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. The third-year Jackson State coach reportedly "has legit interest" in becoming their next coach:
Recently, a couple big names have been offered Head Coaching jobs 🧐@BruceFeldmanCFB fills us in on some potential moves within CFB 👀 pic.twitter.com/44FZBaEG8n
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 26, 2022
Brett McMurphy of the Action Network corroborated Feldman's report, adding that Sanders has also interviewed with South Florida, TCU and Colorado State over the last two seasons.
Kyle T. Mosley of Saints News on Monday reported that Sanders confirmed his discussions with Colorado:
Deion Sanders on the Colorado Head Coach offer: "The report is true." @hbculegends #deion #CoachPrime
— Kyle T. Mosley (@ktmoze) November 28, 2022
Whether Sanders, 55, takes Colorado up on its offer remains to be seen, though he has been up front in his interest jumping to a Power 5 program. In an Oct. 16 interview with "60 Minutes," Sanders said, "I’m going to have to entertain it. Straight up. I’d be a fool not to.”
With that, The Sporting News looks at Colorado's interest in Sanders, and why the Jackson State coach could ultimately accept the job.
Why is Colorado pursuing Deion Sanders?
Colorado is in desperate need to inject life into an otherwise-listless program. The Buffaloes' last winning season was in 2016, when they went 10-4 under Mike MacIntyre en route to a berth in the Alamo Bowl (a 38-8 loss to Oklahoma State).
MacIntyre was dismissed from the program two seasons later, and the Buffaloes have since gone through two coaches in Mel Tucker (who left after one season to take the Michigan State coaching job) and Karl Dorrell. The latter of those coaches went 8-15 in two-plus seasons, including an 0-5 start in 2022. Colorado fired him after the winless start.
"I want to thank Karl for his hard work in leading our program since 2020," Colorado athletic director Rick George said in a statement announcing Dorrell's firing. "Ultimately, however, the results on the field just did not measure up to our expectations and standards, which made it necessary for us to make this change at this time. It was an extremely difficult decision and I wish Karl all of the best in his future endeavors."
Added Colorado chancellor Philip DiStefano:
"I fully support Rick in making this difficult decision to dismiss Coach Dorrell. The football team is an important part of the university and I know our students, alumni, and fans have high expectations for a winning product on the field."
Meanwhile, Sanders has injected life into Jackson State, using his status as a college football and NFL hall of fame member to create unprecedented national interest in an HBCU program. He also has sacrificed his own salary to improve facilities for the program.
He also has proven to be a successful on-field coach, leading an 11-0 undefeated season in 2022 — the first in program history — and a SWAC East divisional championship. The year prior, Sanders led Jackson State to a SWAC conference title and a berth in the Celebration Bowl, otherwise known as the Black national championship game among HBCU programs.
Sanders has shown an ability to recruit. He flipped Travis Hunter — the top-rated corner and the No. 1 overall player in the 2022 class, per 247Sports' Composite rankings — from heavily favored Florida State, his own alma mater.
Deion Sanders coaching record
Sanders is 26-5 in three seasons at Jackson State, including 19-2 in SWAC play and 22-2 over the last two seasons.
Sanders in 2021 was awarded both the SWAC Coach of the Year and Eddie Robinson Award, the latter of which is awarded to the top FCS coach in the nation and is named after famed Grambling State coach and nine-time Black national championship-winning coach Eddie Robinson.
| Year | Team | Record | Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Jackson State | 4-3 | N/A |
| 2021 | Jackson State | 11-2 | Celebration Bowl (loss) |
| 2022 | Jackson State | 11-0 | TBD |
Sanders doubtless has earned the interest Colorado has shown him, though it remains to be seen whether he feels this is the opportunity for which he has waited.
