Report: Coach Prime fires all but one member of previous CU coaching staff

It’s been very clear over the last 48 that new CU football head coach Deion Sanders is going to do things his own way.

From his memorable introductory press conference, to telling current players they may need to hit the transfer portal, Coach Prime has been unapologetically himself. He’s going to bring in his own recruits, both through the portal and before signing day, but also his own coaches.

Brian Howell of the Boulder Daily Camera reported on Tuesday that Sanders fired every member of the previous CU coaching staff, except one. Prime will be hiring a new staff.

Ugly side of a coaching change: Colorado’s assistants, other than Darian Hagan, have been let go today. Unclear if Hagan will coach RBs or be reassigned, but HC Deion Sanders moving on from 2022 assistants, which have done a great job keeping the team together this fall. #cubuffs

— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) December 6, 2022

The good news is that Howell points out all the assistants let go will receive their 2023 salaries. That includes former interim head coach Mike Sanford, who will be paid through 2024. Howell says CU’s recruiting staff is “still on board” for now, but with signing day just two weeks away, he’s not sure after that.

It was reported on Monday by ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Sanders is bringing in Kent State head coach Sean Lewis to be Colorado’s offensive coordinator. The fact a current head coach is willing to take a demotion (even if it means more money) is telling. The opportunity to coach with Prime means more than leading a lesser-known program.

This is certainly a different standard at CU than any of the past two decades, and it’s not even close. The program has gone from arguably the worst in Division 1 football to completely nationally relevant overnight.

And as Prime continues to bring in more recruits and high-profile coaches, that buzz will only continue to grow.

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