It's officially 'Prime Time' in Colorado: Buffaloes hire Deion Sanders as HC

Colorado athletic director Rick George, who made the announcement, said the program chose Sanders over a "number of highly qualified and impressive" candidates because none had his "pedigree, knowledge, and ability." 

"Not only will Coach Prime energize our fanbase, I'm confident that he will lead our program back to national prominence while leading a team of high quality and high character," George said. 

In a video posted on Sanders' Instagram account, he notified his Jackson State team of his decision to leave for Colorado, saying, in coaching, "you get elevated, or you get terminated." 

"I've chosen to accept a job elsewhere next year," Sanders said via CBS New Colorado's Romi Bean. "I'm going to finish what we started. We're going to dominate. I'm going to be here until that end and that conclusion."

Jackson State vice president and director of athletics Ashley Robinson thanked Sanders in a statement for returning "JSU football to championship prominence." 

"The influence of Coach Prime on Jackson State football, the University, the City of Jackson, and college football cannot be understated," Robinson wrote. "He challenged the norms and transformed mindsets of what was perceived to be possible to create new visions for success while inspiring the community and creating a spotlight on HBCU sports and culture."

Sanders walks away from Jackson State after three seasons. The Tigers knocked off Southern, 43-24 on Saturday, clinching its second consecutive SWAC title to cap off the program's first 12-0 season. Sanders led Jackson State to an overall record of 27-5 since being hired in 2020. 

The 55-year-old takes over a Colorado program that's posted only two winning seasons since 2006.