Key Points:
- Deion Sanders hinted at undisclosed staff changes as Colorado struggles to stay bowl eligible in 2025.
- Sanders confirmed five-star freshman Julian Lewis will start at quarterback after multiple offensive struggles this season.
- Colorado’s offense and defense both rank near the bottom nationally, fueling fan frustration and coaching speculation.
Just one season after the Colorado Buffaloes went 9-4 and produced the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, Deion Sanders’ squad is in a position where it needs to win its final three games to reach bowl eligibility.
The 3-6 Buffaloes have been outscored in their past two games 105-24 and are statistically one of the worst teams in the country both offensively and defensively. Out of 136 FBS programs, Colorado’s offense ranks No. 107 in the total offense category, while the defense ranks No. 118 in total defense. The continued struggles on both sides of the ball have led to fans calling for Sanders to change up who is calling plays and make adjustments to his staff.
While Sanders has seemingly never been shy about addressing critics, he wasn’t exactly willing to confirm whether or not he moved on from offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur or defensive coordinator Robert Livingston.
Deion Sanders comments on making changes to his staff
When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Sanders was asked about potentially making changes to his staff and didn’t exactly confirm or deny anything.
“I might’ve already changed it and you don’t know,” Sanders said. “I don’t do stuff and blow the whistles and make major announcements… I don’t do that kind of stuff. I do it and I let you guys still take shots…You may be shooting at the wrong target. So, some things take place that you may not be privy to.”
When asked when those changes would become apparent to the public, Sanders revealed it’s up to everyone else to spot them.
“That’s up to you to notice them,” Sanders said. “They may have already happened.”
The one change that Sanders was willing to confirm on Tuesday was the fact that Colorado will be making its third change at quarterback this season, starting five-star freshman Julian Lewis in place of Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter. After revealing he was going with the freshman at quarterback, the third-year head coach was asked what led him to make the switch, a question that he only needed two words to answer.
“Common sense,” Sanders said.
After replacing Ryan Staub, who came in for Salter during the team’s Week 10 loss to Arizona, Lewis completed 9-of-17 passes for 121 yards and a 59-yard touchdown. He will be making his first career start on Saturday against the West Virginia Mountaineers (3-6), who will also be starting a freshman quarterback in Scotty Fox.
Saturday’s game will kick at noon ET and air on TNT/HBO Max.