The University of Colorado Boulder is locking in its star coach for the long haul.

CU officially announced that head football coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has signed a contract extension that will keep him in Boulder through the 2029 season. The move, unveiled Friday by Athletic Director Rick George, marks a major milestone for a program that has seen a historic transformation since Sanders’ arrival.

Sanders took over a Buffaloes team that went 1-11 in 2022. In just two seasons, he has turned CU into a national headline-maker, guiding the Buffs to nine wins and a bowl appearance, while reshaping the image and culture of the program both on and off the field.

“Coach Prime has revolutionized college football,” George said. “This extension not only recognizes Coach’s incredible accomplishments transforming our program, it keeps him in Boulder to compete for championships in the years to come.”

From 1-11 to National Spotlight

The turnaround under Sanders has been nothing short of remarkable. In addition to their on-field success, the Buffaloes became one of the most-watched programs in the country. CU games amassed more than 54 million viewers during the 2024 season, capped by a record-setting 8 million viewers for the Alamo Bowl against BYU — the highest-rated game in the bowl’s 32-year history.

Sanders’ impact has extended far beyond the football field. CU Boulder has seen a massive increase in national attention, student applications, and economic activity since his arrival. The school reported a 20% increase in overall applications — including a 50.5% increase from prospective Black/African American students and a 29.3% jump from non-white applicants overall.

CU also experienced a major economic boost in 2024, with home football games contributing nearly $147 million in total regional economic impact and more than $93 million directly to the City of Boulder.

“We’ve Just Scratched the Surface”

Reacting to the news of his extension, Sanders shared his excitement and reaffirmed his commitment to both the university and the community.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue building something special here at Colorado,” Sanders said. “We’ve just scratched the surface of what this program can be. It’s not just about football; it’s about developing young men who are ready to take on the world.”

He closed with a classic Coach Prime touch: “Lastly, anybody got at least a five-bedroom home with acreage for sale?”

Success On and Off the Field

Sanders has led the Buffs with a vision that goes beyond football. The team recorded its best-ever term GPA in fall 2024 with a 3.011, the first time the football program has eclipsed the 3.0 mark in school history.

Chancellor Justin Schwartz praised the head coach’s broader influence on campus.

“Coach Prime has done a masterful job transforming CU Boulder’s football program into the must-watch matchup nationwide,” Schwartz said. “He’s also committed to a program with the highest level of integrity that emphasizes academic performance and life after football.”

Sanders has also made his presence felt throughout the CU community. He’s guest lectured in the College of Media, Communication, and Information, spoken to students at the Leeds School of Business and Colorado Law, and delivered the keynote at the Conference on World Affairs. He even attended the grand opening of the university’s Center for African & African American Studies.

Highest-Paid Coach in the Big 12

With the extension, Sanders’ base salary will jump to $10 million starting in 2025, making him the highest-paid coach in the Big 12 and one of the ten highest-paid coaches in college football. Importantly, the university clarified that the contract is entirely funded through the Athletic Department’s self-generated revenue streams — including media rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, and donations — with no tuition or taxpayer dollars involved.

SMAC Entertainment, Sanders’ representation, played a key role in finalizing the deal.

Looking Ahead

With Coach Prime officially locked in through 2029, CU fans can continue to dream big. The university is urging supporters to show their own commitment by contributing to the CU Buff Club, ensuring continued momentum for a program that is now firmly back in the national conversation.

From the sidelines to the classroom, the Sanders era in Boulder is reshaping not just a football program, but an entire university. And with more history yet to be written, one thing is clear: Coach Prime isn’t finished.