Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders. Chet Strange-USA TODAY Sports

Deion Sanders may soon lose a key piece of his Colorado staff

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 11/28/23

Coach Prime has had a rough go of things in 2023.

What started as a red-hot 3-0 start for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes ended with a six-game losing skid and a 4-8 season. Colorado remained bowl ineligible for the third-straight season, and all the pomp and Coach Prime came into Boulder with has been deflated.

Now, Sanders is seeing highly sought-after recruits drop their commitments, while one of the key pieces of his staff in 2023, offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, is reportedly out the door as well.

According to ESPN insider Pete Thamel, it sounds like Lewis will be heading back to the head coaching ranks sooner rather than later.

He's seemingly close to a deal to become San Diego State's next head coach:

Sources: San Diego State has targeted Colorado OC Sean Lewis as the school's next coach, with a deal expected to come together soon. Lewis was a successful head coach at Kent State, where he led the school to its first-ever bowl win and had consistently high-end offenses.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 28, 2023

Lewis was Colorado's primary play-caller for much of the year, but midway through Sanders demoted him to co-offensive coordinator alongside former NFL coach Pat Shurmur — who took over playcalling.

Considering the demotion as well as Lewis' former head coaching chops, it makes sense that he'll likely be leaving Boulder.

Lewis was the head coach at Kent State from 2018-22, where he accumulated a 24-31 record and led the school to its first-ever bowl win.

If he ends up at San Diego State, Lewis will be replacing Brady Hoke, who retired after 16 years as a collegiate head coach with a 105-92 overall record.

More must-reads: