Deion Sanders evolution as a coach is starting to show with latest win

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Deion Sanders is many things. His Hall of Fame resume should be almost self-explanatory at this point. He's arguably the greatest ‘athlete’ football has ever seen with a gold jacket that he didn’t buy. Over a decade working as a broadcaster for NFL Network and CBS. He built the Truth youth football league. Entered the college ranks with Jackson State before a Power Four job with the Colorado Buffaloes.

Even if you didn’t know the resume, it’s unlikely that any college football fan is still unaware of the more entertaining side of “Coach Prime. ” There was a swagger before Sanders even stepped off the plane in Colorado. Phrases like “We Coming” and “Ain’t Hard to Find” became as synonymous as a company’s commercial jingle. The now famous Louis Luggage speech set an early expectation. Not for the players, but for Sanders.

In 2023, there was an unprecedented hype with Colorado football. A team coming off a 1-11 campaign was suddenly “must-see TV.” The run was something fans still talk about today. “Remember in 2023 when everyone was a Colorado fan.” The 2024 season restored some of that, but only temporarily.

Then 2025 happened. National pundits were criticizing most aspects of Colorado draft prospects, including three players who are treated like actual family. A routine checkup led to a cancer diagnosis for Sanders. By the time Colorado entered the beginning of Spring ball, it was obvious to those of us who tracked this coach, something was very wrong.

That season was objectively bad. Big money players were not living up to their NIL valuation. Situational football was getting worse; not better. Before the end of the season many expected sweeping changes. Sanders did not disappoint when those came right after his "last supper” press conference.

Buffs Nation all but mourned as five-star talents and big earners all left for the transfer portal. Yet, the coaching staff never said a word. No tweets of frustration. No massaging a narrative. Players left and the coaching staff behaved as if that was exactly what they expected would happen.

What changed for Deion Sanders

After Sanders’ successful bladder cancer surgery, he spent time recovering at his Texas estate. During an excerpt from a Well Off Media video from a little over a year ago, Sanders admitted that he needs to learn to enjoy life more. While he never said the words, it’s possible a glimpse into the fragility of life impacted future decisions. He has also taken advantage of gaps in his schedule for trips and time with loved ones. It's not a reach to believe living life more includes getting the most out of his team now and not later.

He has stated several times in 2026 that he has touched everything that walks through those doors. Sanders said that changes were coming. He even promised Buffs fans they would not repeat last year’s performance.

Whether Sanders' health was a factor or he was just tired of waiting, he established the standard in 2023. Three years later, he’s demanding adherence to that standard without exception. This includes discussing a 52-21 win as if it was almost viewed as a loss.

Deion Sanders sounds like a different coach

After the Georgia Tech win, many fans reacted in a way that was surprising. A well-known content creator who goes by “Butta” reacted to that game and after the ending said something many fans might be asking now.

“What Colorado team is this?!” he said on his stream. “Everybody on this team blocks. They get to the quarterback? They might be small, but they got heart though.”

These concepts are not unrelated. Sanders identified a problem. He then recruited players with real game experience who were often overlooked or under recruited. The early returns are that the team is not there yet, but the strict expectation of the standard is at least resulting in wins in a way they weren’t in 2025.

Coach Prime will be satisfied when it all comes together

In the post-game press conference after their win over Weber State, we did not see a happy version of Coach Prime. He sprang into the press room as if he had not had treatment or taken a walk to decompress at all. It would be a step too far to say, “Sanders was mad,” but not by much.

In first three years, this was a game Sanders would have celebrated. Julian Lewis broke two Colorado passing records in the first half. A total of 300 yards split between three receivers. Micah Welch was Colorado’s first 100-yard rusher in a single game since Alex Fontenot on November 11, 2022. Yet, there was nothing celebratory about Coach Prime after the game.

“We didn’t capitalize on offense. We only scored 52 points," Sanders said. "It should have been a lot more productivity and expectation. There’s no way we are satisfied with the outcome. That’s just where we are right now.”

His disposition is different. His tone is different. Gone are the days of it was a good win, but we can be better. Almost as if he won’t be satisfied until the team is giving the expected performance consistently. Winning a game isn’t good enough and a loss of focus with a lead will not be tolerated.

So what Colorado Buffaloes team is this?

There is a goal and if the performance given is not indicative of that goal, then they won’t settle for being content with a win. Two weeks in and the Buffs are 2-0. To be in those rooms though, you would think they were 0-2. This sets up a new expectation fans should embrace. There is a way they expect to play. There are wins against quality opponents they expect to have.

Becoming bowl eligible will not be viewed as the goal. They want to win a Big 12 championship and compete in the College Football Playoff. While many will think that is funny after a 3-9 season, no one on the Colorado coaching staff is laughing.

The confidence, the swagger and the belief in what Sanders is doing remains. Yet even he seems to believe the hype and the optics won’t matter if they don’t play the way he expects them to play. He still “ain’t hard to find”, but it seems the days of ‘good enough’ are long gone.