Deion Sanders Linked to SEC Head Coaching Job After Colorado’s 2-3 Start

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 1:29 PM ET

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders is an even 15-15 during his third season with the program.

Up until last season, the Buffaloes had not had a winning season since 2016 under former head coach Mike MacIntyre.

Things have not been the same for Sanders and Colorado, as the team is 2-3 after a 24-21 loss to then-ranked No. 25 BYU on Saturday.

On Tuesday, On3's Pete Nakos had Sanders as a candidate to replace Sam Pittman at Arkansas. He also had SMU's Rhett Lashlee as the main choice.

Other Power 4 head coaches to be fired thus far include DeShaun Foster (UCLA), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State) and Brent Pry (Virginia Tech).

Nakos revealed that Sanders interviewed at Arkansas before Pittman was hired.

"Beyond Lashlee, another sitting Power Four head coach to know is Colorado head coach Deion Sanders," Nakos said. "He previously interviewed for the Arkansas job when Yurachek was in the process of hiring Pittman. He has brought the Buffaloes back to relevancy and has made multiple top-25 appearances the last two years. Yurachek was impressed by Sanders previously."

The Colorado head coach just signed a new contract extension that increases his salary to $10 million in 2025 and $12 million in 2029. His buyout is also something to consider for the Buffaloes, but it is not that simple.

Sanders is owed $12 million if he is fired before Dec. 31, 2025. However, that number drops every following year if he is not fired on that same day. It decreases to $10 million in 2026, $6 million in 2027, $4 million in 2028 and $3 million in 2029.

Colorado has faced a different challenge this year offensively, missing quarterback Shedeur Sanders and receivers and cornerbacks Travis Hunter in the lineup. The quarterbacks have been the main issue, with Kaidon Salter and Ryan Staub interchanging under center.

Salter began the year as the starter but struggled and lost the job to Staub after Week 2. However, Staub lost the job after a 36-20 loss to Houston. Salters won the job back after leading the team to a 37-20 win over Wyoming.

He regressed against BYU, finishing with 119 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss.

Colorado takes on TCU on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Fox.

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

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