Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is no longer on the mend, relieving him of even more stress heading into the 2026 season.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Sanders was diagnosed with bladder cancer before the 2025 season and underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Since then, he has undergone two more surgeries to treat ongoing blood clots.
The coach said his cancer is in remission and his other health issues are no longer a concern during an interview with “Good Morning America” on Tuesday.
Deion Sanders discusses health
“I’m healthy,” Sanders said. “I got my health back. I got my swagger back.”
We doubt he lost much of it. Even when he’s sick, few have more flair than “Coach Prime.” But is it enough to save his program from cratering again in 2026?
After a 9-4 2024 season, the Buffaloes backslid in 2025. Colorado went 3-9 (1-8 in the Big 12), finishing second to last in the conference, ahead of the Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-11, 0-9 in Big 12). Sanders’ son, Deion Jr., fears he may need to update his LinkedIn if the Buffs endure another losing season.
“I appreciate you, man, because we gotta win,” Deion Sanders Jr., a content creator, told Colorado director of player personnel Darrius Darden-Box during a recent vlog. “Or I’m going to be out of a job.”
Deion Sanders is confident the team will do more “winning” now that he’s no longer battling multiple health issues.
“I’m good. Great doctors in Colorado have brought me through. God has brought me through. I’m thankful. I’m healthy. I got my swagger back,” he said. “Like, I’m ready to go, ready to go coach my butt off this season.”
The experts aren’t convinced a rejuvenated Deion Sanders will be enough to spark a turnaround for the Buffaloes. CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah predicted Colorado would finish second to last in the conference again in his post-spring power rankings.
It’s good for Deion Sanders that he’s healthy and remains bold. That said, his presence isn’t enough to build a national title contender. It takes talent and resources; Colorado clearly lacks those.
