Deion Sanders Responds to Former Colorado Players' Criticism

The new Buffaloes coach takes the high road after ex-players air grievances about the program.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:48am

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A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of gold, black, and white, representing the University of Colorado's football team and the fragmented nature of the debate surrounding the program.Deion Sanders' measured response to former Colorado players' criticism reflects his commitment to rebuilding the Buffaloes program in a positive manner.Boulder Today

Several former University of Colorado football players have spoken out about their negative experiences with the program, particularly under new head coach Deion Sanders. However, Sanders has chosen to respond graciously, saying he wishes those players the best and is proud that some were able to build their reputations while at Colorado.

Why it matters

This situation highlights the challenges facing new college football coaches as they try to rebuild struggling programs. Sanders' measured response shows his commitment to moving the Buffaloes forward positively, even in the face of criticism from past players.

The details

Quarterback Ryan Staub and defender London Merritt, both former Colorado players, have criticized the program, saying they received better coaching and facilities at their new schools. In response, Sanders acknowledged the players' comments but said Colorado is not going to 'be provoked or coming back or say anything ignorantly back.' Instead, he noted that some players came to Colorado unknown and left with a stronger reputation, which he is proud of.

  • On April 8, 2026, Deion Sanders responded to the former Colorado players' comments.

The players

Deion Sanders

The current head football coach of the University of Colorado Buffaloes.

Ryan Staub

A former quarterback who played for the University of Colorado.

London Merritt

A former defender who played for the University of Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“Some of our past players have been commenting on us, which is cool with me. We're not gonna be provoked or coming back or say anything ignorantly back. I wish those guys the best.”

— Deion Sanders, Head Coach, University of Colorado

“One thing that I can confidently say: Some people came here that you didn't know of, and when they left, they had a name. And I'm proud of that. I'm proud that they were able to earn more than they earned here.”

— Deion Sanders, Head Coach, University of Colorado

What’s next

Sanders and the Colorado coaching staff will continue working to rebuild the program and improve the experience for current players, despite the criticism from former Buffaloes.

The takeaway

Deion Sanders is taking the high road in responding to former Colorado players' complaints, focusing on the positives he has seen in developing lesser-known talent rather than getting drawn into a public feud. This approach reflects his commitment to moving the program forward in a constructive manner.