Deion Sanders has never been one to fly under the radar. Whether it’s his Hall of Fame playing career, his bold fashion choices, or his high-energy coaching style, “Coach Prime” draws attention-and opinions-wherever he goes. Now, as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, he’s once again the center of a college football conversation that’s as much about personality as it is about performance.
But this time, the criticism isn’t coming from rival fans or anonymous message boards. It’s coming from inside the house-or at least, from someone who once wore the same uniform.
Christian Fauria, a former NFL tight end and Colorado alum, didn’t hold back when asked about Sanders’ coaching. Appearing on the Zach Galeb Show, Fauria made it clear: he’s not buying what Coach Prime is selling.
“I’m just not a fan of the coach. I’m not.
I’ll never be a fan of the coach,” Fauria said. And he didn’t stop there.
“The worst coach I ever had was Joe Gibbs. So me 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.”
That’s a strong indictment-especially when it’s coming from someone who’s played at the highest levels of the sport and has the Super Bowl ring to prove it. Fauria’s comments weren’t just about X’s and O’s, either. He took aim at the broader perception of Sanders as a leader.
“I think there’s a lot of flash, but there’s no substance. And he’s got a lot of people brainwashed,” he added.
It’s one thing for critics to question Sanders from afar. It’s another when the skepticism comes from a former Buff who knows the program and the pressure firsthand. That kind of critique hits differently.
Sanders, for his part, has never shied away from scrutiny. Since taking over at Colorado, he’s brought a level of visibility the program hasn’t seen in decades. He’s coached his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and two-way standout Travis Hunter-both now in the NFL-and turned Boulder into a national talking point.
But the results on the field have been mixed. Sanders is 16-21 through his first few seasons, and while there have been flashes of promise, consistency has been elusive. The upcoming 2026 season could be a defining one.
Enter Julian Lewis. The nation’s top quarterback recruit is expected to take the reins this fall, bringing both sky-high expectations and a fresh opportunity for Sanders to silence the doubters. If Lewis can thrive and the Buffaloes make a leap, it could be the kind of season that shifts the narrative-not just for Sanders, but for the entire program.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Coach Prime. And in true Deion fashion, he wouldn’t have it any other way.