Securing a high-profile figure like Deion Sanders would be a game-changer for a college football program seeking revitalization.
The situation becomes even more compelling if the program in question has just come off an undefeated regular season and faced a controversial snub from the College Football Playoff.
Sanders is working to lead the Colorado Buffaloes to their first winning season since 2020. Although his inaugural year resulted in a disappointing 4-8 record, it signified noticeable improvement compared to the 1-11 record from the previous year.
Currently, Colorado stands at 2-1 after three games, achieving wins over North Dakota State and Colorado State, but suffering a loss against Nebraska. A potential 3-1 record would mirror the Buffaloes’ initial performance under Sanders, but it’s encouraging that the program is showing signs of progress with him at the helm.
This scenario connects to the Florida State Seminoles of the ACC. Despite finishing the regular season undefeated and clinching the ACC championship, they were shockingly excluded from the four-team playoff, culminating in a heavy defeat against Georgia in the Orange Bowl.
This season, the Seminoles have faced a disheartening 0-3 start despite high hopes, with losses to Georgia Tech, Boston College, and Memphis severely undermining their chances for an at-large spot in this year’s playoff.
The difficult start to the season has ignited significant speculation about a potential successor for Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell.
According to BetOnline Sportsbook, the frontrunner for the job is none other than Deion Sanders, with odds of plus-300. While the Buffaloes’ performance has been underwhelming in terms of standings, Sanders’ allure is unmistakable.
His strong ties to Florida State University, where he played 45 games from 1985 to 1988 and has his No. 2 jersey retired, bolster his candidacy. Here are the current odds for potential head coaches:
- Deion Sanders: plus-300
- Matt Rhule: plus-400
- Lane Kiffin: plus-600
- Pat Surtain Sr.: plus-700
- Jamey Chadwell: plus-1,000
In terms of recruiting, Colorado’s classes ranked 65th in 2021 and 58th in 2022 according to 247Sports. However, in 2023—Sanders’ first year as head coach—the Buffaloes have jumped to the 21st spot, including securing the top rank in transfers. Such a substantial impact is quite rare, especially for a program like Colorado’s.
The resources at Sanders’ disposal would be markedly different if he were to take over FSU. In 2023, Colorado’s athletic department operated on a budget of $134 million. In contrast, FSU’s expenditure was $172 million in 2022, and it is reported to have allocated approximately $12 million to name, image and likeness licensing money, according to The Athletic.
As for Sanders’ future plans, they remain uncertain, particularly in relation to his sons—Shedeur and Shilo Sanders—as they wrap up their college careers. Shedeur is expected to be a Day 1 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, while Shilo might be a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.
While the possibility of Sanders stepping in as FSU’s head coach could generate excitement among Seminole fans, the immediate focus should be on their upcoming game against the California Golden Bears on Saturday, Sept. 21. Victories against ranked opponents like No. 21 Clemson, No. 8 Miami, and No. 17 Notre Dame later this season could also rekindle playoff hopes for the team.
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