Deion Sanders has heard plenty of criticism during his three seasons at Colorado. Jason Whitlock made his far more personal.
With the Buffaloes set to kickoff Coach Prime’s fourth season next week in Atlanta, Whitlock devoted a lengthy segment of Fearless to Sanders. His argument was that Colorado has become a personality-driven program capable of holding people’s attention even when the wins do not follow.
“Coach Prime is not [running] a football operation,” Whitlock said. “He is a feeling franchise. Saturdays are the costume. The congregation is the customer.”
Whitlock built much of his argument around Sanders’ recent interview with pastor and podcaster Tim Ross. From there, he picked apart Sanders’ public image, Christian testimony and leadership style. Much of it went well beyond football, becoming Whitlock’s personal interpretation of Sanders’ faith, wealth and celebrity.
From Whitlock’s perspective, Sanders can no longer rely on the reputation he earned as one of the greatest athletes of his generation to protect his coaching record.
Whitlock says Coach Prime’s aura has outgrown his results
Coach Prime is 16-21 through three seasons at Colorado. The Buffaloes went 4-8 in 2023, surged to 9-4 behind Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter in 2024, and then fell all the way back to 3-9 last season.
“Player Prime earned a strut,” Whitlock said. “Super Bowls, two sports, tape you could put on a projector and never blink. That swagger had receipts. Coach Prime wants the same worship with a 16-21 record in Boulder.”
Whitlock saved his harshest description for later, calling Sanders “a false god with a whistle” whose operation needs “a congregation more than they need a scoreboard.”
Colorado’s 2026 season will deliver the real answer
Whitlock suggested Colorado could finish 2-10. He also said Sanders’ recent public comments sounded like a coach preparing people for another disappointing season.
Former LSU and NFL defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko was a guest on the show and unloaded on the head coach as well.
“Prime the brand has become more important than Deion the leader,” Fehoko said. “You don’t get to erase 3-9 because the aura is still alive. Eventually, football is very simple. You recruit, you develop, you establish culture, you prepare, and at some point, at the end of the day, you have to win.”
Whitlock’s words were deliberately over the top. Still, there is no escaping the pressure Sanders faces entering 2026. Colorado has rebuilt its roster and reshaped its staff again, bringing in Brennan Marion as offensive coordinator and promoting Chris Marve to defensive coordinator.
Whether the Buffs put it all together this year, starting with Georgia Tech next Thursday, is still very much to be determined. Unlike Whitlock’s opinions on Coach Prime, the 2026 season is far from predictable.
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