Deion Sanders has shaken up the culture University of Colorado Just a few months into running the show in Boulder.
Sanders was brought in to deliver a winning program two point game Only once since 2002.
University of Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders takes the field for warmups prior to the Black and Gold game at Folsom Field on April 22, 2023. (Andy Cross / MediaNews Group / The Denver Post via Getty Images)
They did this by completely rebuilding the roster, with 57 players entering the transfer portal since Sanders became head coach, according to a school spokesperson.
18 players enter transfer portal at Colorado Buffaloes after spring game
on Thursday, Colorado Athletic Director Rick George threw his support behind Sanders as he strives to carve out a winner in Boulder.
“I trust him and his staff, and they know what they’re doing,” George told ESPN after the Pac-12’s spring meetings. “He’s very honest and forthright. He’s been very open about it publicly and privately. He’s trying to build a winner in Colorado, and this is his way.”
As soon as Sanders stepped onto campus, it was clear that changes were coming to the program.
In his first meeting with the returning players, Sanders told them to “go ahead and jump in [transfer] Portal” he was bringing with him players from Jackson State.
While some players left the program voluntarily, the NCAA mandated that first-year head coaches could cut players from the roster, though the university must respect that. sports scholarship,
Deion Sanders, CU’s new head football coach, and athletic director Rick George, right, chat at the Arrows Touchdown Club during a press conference on Dec. 4, 2022, in Boulder, Colorado. (Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
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“When [Sanders] First came, he said, ‘There’s a lot of guys here that can’t be here,’ as he looked and assessed the talent of our team,” George told ESPN. He just said it publicly, where not many people. We are not the first to do this. NCAA rules say you can have those discussions. If a student-athlete wants to stay, he can stay. The university has to pay for them, they don’t count on your scholarship limit, and they’re not on the team.”
Sanders made headlines last week offensive lineman travis gray Revealed the way to cut from the team.
The day after Colorado’s spring game, Gray received a text message from offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle asking him to come to the team facility to meet with Sanders.
“He’s walking up to me and said, ‘Hey buddy, you’re going to get cut today. I’m sorry to tell you that. I didn’t want you to hear it from Coach Prime. I wanted you to hear it. My mouth . I didn’t want to cut you, but we had to cut five offensive linemen, and you were the last one,'” Gray told The Athletic Tuesday evening.
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Gray walks into Sanders’ office and receives news that he will no longer be a part of Colorado football team,
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders plays for the fans during the first half of the team’s spring practice NCAA college football game on Saturday, April 22, 2023 in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
“I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ I saw the mean mug on his face,” Gray said. “He told me, ‘You’re 6-foot-8, 320 pounds. I know in my heart of hearts a school is going to take you to the portal when you enter. Make your weaknesses your strengths, and make progress. Stay tuned. I hope you have a great future, it won’t just happen here at the University of Colorado.'”
Colorado is coming off a 1–11 season, its worst record since 2012.
And while some are questioning Sanders’ approach to rebuilding the roster, George fully supports Coach Prime.
“The coaches are doing what they feel is best for the program,” George said. “I support it. The rule is there for a reason. It gives us the ability to do those kinds of things. Any student-athlete who doesn’t want to leave, we will honor their scholarship. We will pay for ” This, and we’ve done that.”