Ex-Colorado Player Criticizes Deion Sanders' Coaching

Christian Fauria says Sanders has "got a lot of people brainwashed" as Buffaloes struggle under his leadership.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former Colorado tight end Christian Fauria has strongly criticized Deion Sanders' coaching of the Buffaloes, saying he is "not a fan" of the Hall of Famer and that Sanders "has got a lot of people brainwashed." Fauria, who played for Colorado in the 1990s, said Sanders lacks substance as a coach and that the Buffaloes' recent struggles under his leadership are concerning despite increased attention and relevancy for the program.

Why it matters

Deion Sanders' hiring as Colorado's head coach in 2023 generated significant buzz, but the Buffaloes have struggled to win consistently under his leadership, going just 16-21 in his first three seasons. Fauria's criticism adds to growing concerns about Sanders' coaching abilities and management of the program, especially as Colorado continues to lose key players to the transfer portal.

The details

In a podcast appearance, Fauria said he was "not a fan" of Sanders as a coach, criticizing his in-game management, messaging, and inability to connect with the entire team. Fauria, whose son Caleb played at Colorado before transferring, said Sanders has "a lot of flash but there's no substance" and that he's "got a lot of people brainwashed." Fauria also expressed frustration that more Colorado alumni haven't spoken up about their concerns with Sanders' tenure.

  • Deion Sanders was hired as Colorado's head coach in 2023.
  • The Buffaloes went 9-4 in 2024 with Travis Hunter winning the Heisman Trophy.
  • In 2025, Colorado slipped to 3-9 under Sanders' leadership.
  • Through three seasons, the Buffaloes are 16-21 under Sanders.

The players

Deion Sanders

The Pro Football Hall of Famer is the current head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, having been hired in 2023. He has led the team to a 16-21 record in his first three seasons.

Christian Fauria

A former tight end who played for Colorado in the 1990s, Fauria is a vocal critic of Deion Sanders' coaching and the direction of the Buffaloes program under his leadership.

Caleb Fauria

The son of Christian Fauria, Caleb played three seasons at Colorado before transferring to Delaware ahead of the 2024 season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm just not a fan of the coach. I'm not. I'll never be a fan of the coach. I love the school, and this isn't me picking on Deion Sanders, because I picked on Joe Gibbs. 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. I think there's a lot of flash but there's no substance. And he's got a lot of people brainwashed.”

— Christian Fauria, Former Colorado Tight End (The Zach Gelb Show)

The takeaway

Deion Sanders' tenure as Colorado's head coach has been marked by increased attention and relevancy for the program, but the Buffaloes' struggles on the field have led to growing criticism from former players like Christian Fauria. As Sanders enters his fourth season, he will need to prove he can translate his star power into consistent winning if he wants to silence his detractors and establish a sustainable foundation for the Buffaloes.