Deion Sanders faces growing scrutiny after Colorado’s 29-7 loss to Texas Tech

Deion Sanders’ position at Colorado has become far less comfortable after the Buffaloes fell to 2-3 with a third straight loss. A 29-7 home defeat to No. 12 Texas Tech intensified questions about the direction of the program and Sanders’ future in Boulder.

Colorado entered the season hoping to recover from a 3-9 campaign, but the early results have instead created another difficult stretch. Sanders now faces pressure to stabilize a team struggling on offense, dealing with roster turnover and searching for quarterback consistency.

The situation is not the same as an announced coaching change. Sanders remains Colorado’s coach, and his contract runs through 2029. However, the combination of recent losses, a costly potential buyout, and growing criticism has changed the conversation around his long-term future.

Colorado’s losing streak has changed the conversation

Colorado opened the 2026 season with wins over Georgia Tech and Weber State, creating optimism that Sanders could quickly move the program beyond last season’s 3-9 record. That momentum disappeared after three consecutive losses to Northwestern, Baylor, and Texas Tech.

The Northwestern loss was particularly damaging. Colorado was beaten 41-7, and Sanders subsequently dismissed several players for conduct he said was detrimental to the team. The moves added another layer of scrutiny during a season already developing significant concerns.

Colorado then lost 23-13 at Baylor before returning home against Texas Tech. The 29-7 defeat left the Buffaloes 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big 12 play, making the upcoming portion of the schedule increasingly important for Sanders and his staff.

Sanders’ record is becoming harder to ignore

The biggest challenge for Sanders is no longer simply one bad stretch. Through five games this season, his Colorado record stands at 18-24 across four seasons, a record that has become central to discussions about whether the program is moving in the right direction.

Sanders did produce a major turnaround after arriving before the 2023 season. Colorado went from 1-11 before his arrival to 4-8 in his first season, then improved to 9-4 in 2024. The 2025 season, however, ended with a sharp drop to 3-9.

That uneven trajectory makes 2026 especially significant. A strong season could change the narrative again, while another prolonged losing stretch could make the university increasingly uncomfortable with the direction of a program that has invested heavily in Sanders and his vision.

The quarterback situation has become a major problem

Sanders has identified quarterback play as a major weakness. In his first Colorado start against Texas Tech, Isaac Wilson completed 26 of 44 passes for 290 yards, 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions.

Julian Lewis was replaced at halftime of the Baylor game and remains in the competition for the starting job. Freshman Kaneal Sweetwyne is another option as Colorado prepares to face Utah after its bye week.

Lewis arrived as a highly regarded recruit expected to follow Shedeur Sanders at quarterback. Colorado’s continuing search for a dependable starter has become a central challenge for Sanders and his staff.

Colorado’s offense needs more than a quarterback change

The quarterback struggles have affected the entire offense. Colorado has not scored more than 14 points against a Power Four opponent this season, while its 394.2 total yards per game ranked 14th among the Big 12’s 16 teams entering the bye.

Against Texas Tech, Colorado actually gained more total yards than the Red Raiders, according to an Associated Press analysis. But turnovers, penalties, missed field goals, and questionable execution prevented those yards from translating into a competitive result.

The Buffaloes also committed 4 turnovers and were penalized 8 times for 84 yards in that loss. Those details matter because they point to problems extending beyond one position, placing additional responsibility on Sanders and his coaching staff to correct the team’s execution.

Deion contract makes any change complicated

Colorado extended Sanders’ contract in March 2025, keeping him under contract through Dec. 31, 2029. The university described the agreement as a five-year employment deal and said it reflected the national market for major college football coaches.

The financial commitment makes a sudden coaching change considerably more complicated. USA TODAY reported that Colorado would owe Sanders roughly $26 million if it fired him before the end of 2026, under the liquidated damages provisions of his contract.

That figure does not mean Colorado has decided to keep Sanders or that a buyout is impossible. It simply creates a substantial financial hurdle. With the contract still extending through 2029, the university would have to weigh performance, finances, and the broader health of the program.

Colorado still values what Sanders brought

Despite the criticism, Sanders remains an important figure in Colorado football. His arrival dramatically increased attention around the program, and the university says the Buffaloes became one of the most-watched teams in sports during the 2024 season.

The Associated Press also reported that Sanders continues to have strong support among some Colorado boosters. One prominent booster, Rob Wilhite, argued that the program needs additional financial support rather than simply a coaching change, particularly as schools compete for players in the modern college football environment.

That support shows why Sanders’ situation is more complicated than his win-loss record. He helped restore national attention to Colorado, but attention alone cannot substitute for sustained results. The challenge now is turning that visibility into a stable, competitive football program.

The next stretch could shape Sanders’ future

Colorado’s immediate focus is preparation rather than a coaching search. The Buffaloes are practicing during their bye week instead of treating the break as a normal rest period, with Sanders looking for improvements across several positions.

The next major test comes against Utah, giving Colorado an opportunity to stop the losing streak and begin repairing its season. A strong response could ease some of the pressure surrounding Sanders, while another poor performance would likely intensify questions about the program.

There is currently no confirmed announcement that Colorado plans to fire Sanders. The more accurate reading is that his future has become increasingly dependent on what happens next. His contract provides security, but the Buffaloes’ performance is making that security far less comfortable.

Sanders still has a path to change the narrative

The easiest way for Sanders to quiet the growing criticism is through results. Colorado does not need to revisit its entire history under Sanders; it needs to show that the current problems can be fixed and that the program has a sustainable direction.

That starts with finding a reliable quarterback and reducing the mistakes that have repeatedly put the offense behind. It also means developing younger players, maintaining discipline, and creating more consistency from week to week.

For now, Sanders remains Colorado’s coach, but the circumstances around him have changed significantly. A 2-3 start, a 3-9 season before it, and a growing list of program questions have made the next several games unusually important for Coach Prime.

Fun fact: Deion Sanders is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and played 14 NFL seasons, recording 53 interceptions and winning 2 Super Bowls.

TL;DR

• Deion Sanders remains Colorado’s head coach, with his contract running through Dec. 31, 2029.
• Colorado is 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big 12 play after 3 consecutive losses.
• The starting-quarterback competition remains open heading toward the Oct. 17 game against Utah.
• USA TODAY estimates that dismissing Sanders over results at the end of the 2026 season would cost about $26 million.
• Sanders faces growing scrutiny, but Colorado has not announced his dismissal.

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• Deion Sanders removes players after Colorado blowout as safety apologizes
• Deion Sanders reacts to Travis Hunter’s difficult start in the NFL

This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.