‘He’s not a real head coach’ – Colin Cowherd does not hold back in tearing down Deion Sanders

It has been a dismal start to the 2026 season for the Colorado Buffaloes, with three consecutive heavy defeats leaving them 15th in the Big 12.

Colorado had opened up their season with two victories, but defeats against Northwestern, Baylor and then Texas Tech at the weekend, with a combined 27 points scored across the three games. To say the Buffaloes are struggling would be an understatement.

Questions have now been raised surrounding the future of Sanders in Colorado, with his decision to change things up at quarterback failing to pay off. The former NFL star is now receiving considerable backlash from some in the media.

Next up for Colorado – after their Bye Week – is a home game against 12-ranked Utah, which will provide another stern test for Sanders. With over a week to reflect on the opening five games, Colin Cowherd has torn into Sanders’ coaching levels.

Colin Cowherd says Deion Sanders isn’t a proper football coach

Discipline from the coaching staff is the bare minimum that can be demanded from a team, but it is apparent that the basic errors on display in Colorado show the levels between the Buffaloes and the teams in the Top 25.

“I call Deion Sanders the anti-Curt Cignetti. It’s all flash and no substance. At one point, they sent eight players on the field for special teams. They called a timeout, and then the next play, they sent out nine. They were just disorganised,” said Cowherd.

“Deion can win at the lower level because of recruiting. If you can recruit at the lower level and have better players and a star quarterback, you’re going to win games. You get to college football’s big four. It comes down to coaching. His staff is not good enough. He’s a recruiter; he’s not a real head coach. The most penalised team in his conference.

“Again, when he got the job, I said he makes Colorado interesting. That’s a win for Colorado because their football programme just hasn’t been interesting most of my life, but he’s outclassed right now as a coach.”

There is some serious talent in the current crop of college footballers, but it is apparent that, when it comes to coaching, Sanders is not one of them. The outspoken former Dallas Cowboys player has made it clear he feels as if the players are not good enough, when others, like Cowherd, feel he is part of the bigger picture problem.

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