Deion Sanders Colorado Contract: Extension, Salary, Buyout

Prior to the 2024 college football season, Colorado had only one nine-win season in the previous 20 years.

In his second year as an FBS coach, Deion Sanders cracked the ceiling, posting a 9-3 regular-season record that included wins against Baylor, Texas Tech, and Utah. 

Sanders made a lot of noise in Year 1. But in Year 2, he delivered a genuinely good season for long-suffering Buffs fans. (Anyone who bet Colorado football odds was pretty happy, too.)

Now, Coach Prime has to do what every good college football coach eventually faces: rebuild after major departures. Former No. 1 recruit Travis Hunter and Deion’s son Shedeur are both expected to be Day 1 NFL draft picks; Sanders will need to build on Colorado’s 2024 success without his two star players.

But Colorado remains confident that Sanders will deliver even without his top two stars, which is one reason the Colorado athletic department handed Sanders a generous contract extension that makes Sanders one of the highest paid coaches in college football.

Deion Sanders Salary

Deion Sanders’ base salary is now $10 million after receiving a major contract extension in March 2025.

Deion Sanders Contract Extension

Colorado and Deion Sanders agreed to a five-year, $54 million contract extension that inks him in Boulder through 2029. 

Sanders’ original contract was a five-year deal worth up to $29.5 million before incentives. It called for a renegotiation period after Year 3, when either party can request a modification to salary, benefits, or other details. Colorado elected to extend the contract after Year 2. 

Deion Sanders Buyout

If Deion Sanders leaves for another coaching position before Dec. 31, 2025, his buyout is $12 million. That rate drops to $10 million for 2026 and $6 million for 2027.

Contract extensions often come with reset buyout clauses. It’s common for smaller programs to extend a coach right before he is poached by a larger school with more money in order to ensure the school receives maximum compensation for losing its successful coach.

Colorado’s Sanders extension could be a genuine reward for his past accomplishments and his future vision for Colorado football. 

However, it is also likely a defensive maneuver to make sure Colorado is well-positioned in the event that Sanders leaves for another position after 2025, like, for instance, his alma mater, Florida State. 

Deion Sanders’ Salary at Jackson State

Deion Sanders made approximately $300,000 in annual salary while working as the head football coach at Jackson State.

Deion Sanders Bonuses

Deion Sanders’ original contract at Colorado includes a wealth of monetary incentives for potential team achievements. He would receive a $450,000 bonus if Colorado is invited to a New Year’s 6 bowl game and $750,000 if the Buffs somehow won a national championship.

The more attainable incentives included:

• $150,000 if Colorado wins six games in a season and reaches bowl eligibility
• $100,000 for each additional win beyond the first six
• $150,000 if Colorado wins the Big 12
• $75,000 if Colorado plays in a Big 12 Championship game
• $150,000 if Deion Sanders is named National Coach of the Year
• $75,000 if Deion Sanders is named Big 12 Coach of the Year
• $50,000 each time Colorado attains a team APR of at least 965