From 2012 to 2022 (excluding 2020) the Colorado Buffaloes solidified themselves as one of the worst teams in all of college football, going just 41-81 and not winning a single bowl game.
However, things changed when head coach Deion Sanders took over in 2023, as he has now gone 13-12 in his two years with the team, and in 2024, even helped them achieve a 9-4 record.
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His ability to help turn the program around was seen as an impressive feat by many, but in the latest head coaching power rankings from ESPN, Sanders received a very minimal amount of recognition.
As a panel of 12 analysts voted on the top coaches, Sanders was left far out of the top 10, and instead received just three total votes, which ended up being tied for the 18th most.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Of course, one of the biggest factors in what makes a good head coach, other than winning is being able to bring in highly talented players, which is something Sanders has proven to do.
Colorado’s 2025 recruiting class has a total of 14 commitments and ranks No. 2 in the Big 12 and No. 35 in the nation, with big names such as four-star quarterback Julian Lewis, four-star wide receiver Adrian Wilson and four-star EDGE London Merritt.
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Developing players is also important, and the Buffaloes had four players taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, with two-way star Travis Hunter being selected at No. 2, which is tied for the highest pick in program history.
If Sanders can help put together another big season, he could shoot up these kinds of rankings, but expectations are low as ESPN BET gives Colorado 10th-best odds (+1800) of winning the Big 12.
