Deion Sanders Enters Crucial 2026 Season Under Mounting Pressure at Colorado
As the 2026 college football season approaches, all eyes are once again on Deion Sanders - and not just because of the flash. After a rocky first year at Colorado that ended with a 3-9 record (1-8 in conference play), the pressure is mounting for Coach Prime to turn things around. In his three-year college coaching career - spanning time in both the Pac-12 and now the Big 12 - Sanders holds a 16-21 overall record, with a 9-18 mark in conference games.
Those numbers are a far cry from the lofty expectations that came with Sanders’ high-profile arrival in Boulder. The hope was that his charisma, NFL pedigree, and recruiting magnetism would elevate Colorado into a contender - not just in the conference, but potentially on the national stage.
So far, that vision hasn’t materialized on the field. And now, as the Buffaloes prepare for a pivotal season, Sanders is facing criticism from an unexpected source: one of the program’s most decorated alumni.
Christian Fauria Doesn’t Hold Back
Former Colorado tight end and national champion Christian Fauria didn’t mince words during a recent appearance on The Zach Gelb Show, offering a blunt critique of Sanders’ coaching performance.
“I’m just not a fan of the coach. I’m not.
I’ll never be a fan of the coach,” Fauria said. “I love the school.
And this isn’t me picking on Deion Sanders because I pick on Joe Gibbs. The worst coach I’ve ever had was Joe Gibbs.
So my picking on Deion Sanders is nothing. I just don’t like the way he coaches football.
I don’t think he’s very bright. I don’t think he can manage a game.
I think there’s a lot of flash, but I think there’s no substance, you know?”
Fauria didn’t stop there. He went on to express frustration with other Colorado alumni who’ve stayed quiet about the program’s trajectory under Sanders.
“There’s a lot of things you know internally that I know about that I’m not a fan of, and it’s just not worth my energy to sit there and follow it and, you know, and then go back and forth with the ‘The emperor has no clothes’ crowd that support him, regardless of how stupid he is sometimes. So yeah, that’s the way I feel about it.
And it bugs me that a lot of alumni just don’t speak up about it. They don’t say anything.
But I will.”
Those are strong words - especially coming from a player who helped put Colorado football on the map in the early '90s. And while Fauria’s comments are rooted in personal perspective, they highlight a broader conversation about what it takes to win in today’s college football landscape.
Flash vs. Substance - Or Both?
There’s no denying that Sanders brings flash. It’s part of who he is - and always has been.
From his playing days to his coaching persona, Sanders has never shied away from the spotlight. In fact, that flair has been a major selling point for recruits and fans alike.
In an era where branding, NIL, and social media presence are as much a part of the recruiting battle as X’s and O’s, Sanders’ approach isn’t just intentional - it’s essential.
But with that flash comes the expectation of substance. And that’s where the pressure lies in 2026.
After losing several key players to the NFL, Sanders has had the offseason to reset, reload, and retool his roster. This year presents a clean slate - and a clear opportunity to show that his vision for Colorado football is more than just talk.
A Season That Could Define the Prime Era
Sanders doesn’t just need a better record - he needs a statement season. One that proves his program is headed in the right direction and that the early struggles were part of a longer build, not a sign of deeper issues. He’s had time to bring in his guys, implement his system, and learn from the growing pains of last year’s campaign.
There’s also a personal layer to the story. Fauria’s son, Caleb, played under Sanders for one season before transferring out of Boulder. That connection adds context, but it doesn’t change the reality: this is a pivotal moment for Sanders and the Colorado program.
The expectations are still sky-high. The spotlight hasn’t dimmed.
And in a sport where results speak louder than rhetoric, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining chapter for Deion Sanders in Boulder. Whether he silences the doubters or fuels their fire - that will be decided on the field.