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Deion Sanders Emerges as Top Candidate for Major College Coaching Job

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 10:48 AM ET

Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders is in his third season as head coach at Colorado.
His name continues to surface as a leading candidate for several major college football openings.
Currently 58 years old, Sanders has compiled a 16-16 record with the Buffaloes.

While the Penn State Nittany Lions’ midseason firing of James Franklin came as a shock to many, he’s unlikely to be the only coach in jeopardy after Week 8 in college football.

Several coaches are firmly on the hot seat, and one name that has continued to emerge after suffering a fourth straight loss is Florida State’s Mike Norvell.

The Seminoles fell to the Stanford Cardinals on Saturday night, dropping to 3-4 on the season. Norvell is now 1-11 against ACC opponents over the past two seasons, though his buyout is projected to exceed $50 million if he is fired from the university, according to On3.

NEW: Florida State decision makers are holding informal phone calls this morning to discuss the future under Mike Norvell, sources tell @PeteNakos_.

Norvell's buyout is north of $54.4M. FSU is 1-11 in ACC play during the last two seasons

Intel: https://t.co/iq0sPw8ECL https://t.co/eX4iHcco21 pic.twitter.com/DscjMuzWXs
— On3 (@On3sports) October 19, 2025

If Norvell were to be let go, one name generating significant buzz among fans and media alike is Colorado Buffaloes head coach and former Florida State standout Deion Sanders.

On Sunday, Bill Bender of The Sporting News ranked Sanders among the top candidates FSU should consider should they part ways with Norvell. Other names on the list included Jon Sumerall, Alex Golesh, Lane Kiffin, and even James Franklin, which would certainly be an intriguing twist given Franklin’s recent firing.

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field.Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesRon Chenoy-Imagn Images

For Florida State to hire Deion Sanders, they would need a clear vision for the program. Currently 58 years old, Sanders’ coaching resume isn’t as extensive as some of the other candidates that would be vying for the job.

However, he has proven to be an elite recruiter, most notably landing Travis Hunter—who he flipped from Florida State to Jackson State at the time.

During his tenure with the Colorado Buffaloes, Sanders has gone 16-16, a strong performance considering the program’s state before his arrival. The Buffaloes were 1-11 the season prior to his hiring, and Sanders led them to bowl eligibility in just his second year.

Currently sitting at 3-4, it remains unclear whether Sanders would consider leaving Boulder for Tallahassee, though such a move would certainly be iconic for all of college football.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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