There's buzz beginning around Colorado’s Deion Sanders and an SEC job opening

Colorado fans are no strangers to hearing Deion Sanders' name rumored for other jobs. Since he took the job in Boulder beginning with the 2023 season, there's been constant speculation about his future and when, not if, he would leave the Buffaloes for another job.

Despite Colorado's rocky 2-3 start to the 2025 season, the rumor mill is already warming up. On3's Pete Nakos has Coach Prime on the early shortlist for the vacant head coaching job at Arkansas. The Razorbacks recently fired head coach Sam Pittman following an embarrassing blowout home loss to Notre Dame last weekend.

Sanders has an obvious connection to Arkansas that could end up being the tipping point to get him to leave Boulder for Fayetteville as the Hogs look to commit more resources to the football program moving forward.

Deion Sanders' relationship with Jerry Jones could be a factor in Arkansas coaching search

Deion Sanders and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones maintain a close relationship, and have since Sanders played for Dallas in the 1990s. Jones is an Arkansas alumnus and a prominent booster for the football program.

At the request of Jones, Arkansas interviewed Sanders back in 2020 before they hired Sam Pittman. This was before Coach Prime took over at Jackson State for his first collegiate head coaching experience. The job ultimately went to Pittman, but five years later, Sanders has the experience and recruiting acumen that could be attractive to Arkansas this time around.

If Jones has any say, Sanders will be a serious candidate for the Arkansas job. The question, however, is whether Coach Prime himself would have any interest in Arkansas in this cycle. Sanders recently signed a contract extension, and he would owe Colorado $12 million if he left for another job before 12/31/25. That number decreases to $10 million starting January 1.

Coach Prime is well paid at Colorado as is, making $10 million this season on a contract that increases annually. He also has complete control over the football program, something he would certainly want anywhere else he might consider. He's been given the resources to be successful in Boulder, and Colorado's time is coming, though it doesn't appear to be this season.

Coaching in the SEC is something that would be attractive to Sanders, but Arkansas is not an easy job. The league is cutthroat, and expectations are constantly through the roof. The Razorbacks breaking through into the SEC's elite any time soon - regardless of the coach - seems unlikely. There are more playoff bids to go around in the SEC, but Sanders is probably better off - and more likely to build a championship-level team - in the Big 12 at Colorado.