The Deon Sanders-coached Colorado Buffaloes improved to 8-2 on the season with a win over Utah on Saturday.
Colorado finished with just four wins during Sanders’ first season at the helm, a significant improvement over the football program’s one-win season in 2022.
Sanders faced skepticism when he made the jump from Jackson State, a historically black college and university in Mississippi, to a struggling NCAA Division I FBS program. The Buffaloes started 3-0 last season, but some critics became more vocal after Colorado ended the 2023 campaign on a six-game losing streak.
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16 November 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Dion Sanders calls a play in the first quarter against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
NBA superstar LeBron James has long been among Sanders’ most vocal supporters, and he put the “haters” on notice while celebrating the Buffaloes’ 49-24 victory over Utah.
1 November 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gestures to a teammate during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)
James suggested that Sanders’ inefficiencies have “hidden” this season. He also announced that Sanders had changed from “we’re coming” to “we’re here”.
Deion Sanders has not had any official NFL talks, focusing on Colorado
“I can’t hear any of them @CUBuffFootball @DeionSanders HATERS are up front and loud! They’re hiding right now! Coach Prime said “we’re coming.” Well now it’s “here we are”. Love what’s happening in Boulder. [sic]” James wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday.
Sanders oversaw an aggressive roster turnover over the past two offseasons, which appears to have paid off. That approach included leaning heavily on transfer portals and recruiting some of the best high school prospects in the country.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Dion Sanders with son and quarterback Shideor Sanders (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Quarterback Shadoir Sanders, Dion’s son, has anchored Colorado’s high-powered offense this season and two-way star Travis Hunter is one of the best college football players in the country.
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Colorado made the switch from the Pac-12 Conference to the Big 12 this season, setting up what many believe will be a stronger schedule than the Buffaloes in 2023.
Nevertheless, Colorado is up for the challenge and alive for a conference championship and even a spot in the College Football Playoff.
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