By Skeeter Smith
Ever since Deion Sanders set foot on campus at the University of Colorado, the Buffaloes, a program that had been largely irrelevant for years, have quickly become one of the most talked-about teams in college football. During his tenure, Colorado has attracted attention like few programs in recent memory. But along the way, Deion and his crew have faced significant criticism for their “non-traditional” approach to college football.
From wearing sunglasses at press conferences to putting social media handles on players’ jerseys, and even having DJs and celebrities hang out in the locker room, it was clear from the start that Deion was going to do things his way. Just as he did as a player, his team was always going to carry a unique swagger when they stepped onto the field. The difference, of course, is that Deion the player backed up his confidence with elite play, while Deion the coach had some early struggles in Year 1.
After a 3-0 start to the 2023 season, the Buffaloes went on to lose eight of their final nine games. During and after that tough stretch, Sanders faced harsh criticism over how he was handling his team and whether the future held any promise for the program. But instead of backing down, Deion stayed true to himself and got to work, completely overhauling the roster by bringing in over 40 new players from the transfer portal.
Entering the 2024 season, expectations for Colorado were low. With a win total set at just 5.5 games, right on the edge for bowl eligibility for a program that hadn’t made a bowl game since 2016. Yet, as we head into Week 12, not only have Deion and his team surpassed that win total, sitting at 7-2, but they’re also on the verge of making the Big 12 title game and having an opportunity at earning a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Regardless of how you feel about Deion or the Colorado players, the turnaround in just two years is undeniable. To put this into perspective, the Buffs were 1-11 before Deion arrived. In the past 20 years, the program has only had three winning seasons. And let’s be clear, Deion isn’t doing this at a traditional football powerhouse with a rich history of success and top-tier recruiting. He’s taken a team that the average fan probably didn’t know existed two years ago and has turned them into one of the biggest names in the sport, all while also becoming one of the most polarizing figures in college football.
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Critics may argue that the Big 12 is weak or that Colorado hasn’t faced any top-tier opponents, but the fact remains: even if this team loses its remaining games, it would still be a massive success given the low expectations entering the season. The hate toward Deion has been overblown and disproportionate. So what if he does things differently? It doesn’t diminish the incredible job he’s done with this program.
At the end of the day, Deion Sanders will always be Deion Sanders. Will he be perfect? No—few coaches are, if any. But he’s built a brand, a team, and a culture that has transcended football. No matter how much you may dislike him, you can’t deny the undeniable truth: you have to respect what he’s accomplished.
