On Saturday night, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders led the Jackson State Tigers to a SWAC Championship. Then, he jumped on a plane to Colorado to become the school’s new head football coach.
For leaving Jackson State behind, he’ll have to cough up $300,000, according to USA Today.
Sanders’ contract mandated him to pay a portion of his remaining salary if he left before 2024 — and if Ashley Robinson, the current athletic director, was still in his role.
Sanders likely won’t miss the money, given that he’ll make a reported $29.5 million with the Buffs over the next five years — for an average of $5.9 million a year. That’s about $2 million more than the school has ever paid for a football coach.
Reports suggest the hire has already piqued the interest of players in the transfer portal and donors willing to offer name, image, and likeness deals.
Perhaps that’s why Colorado athletic director Rick George told reporters the school doesn’t yet have the money to pay Sanders — but he isn’t “worried about that piece.”
At Jackson State, Sanders built a powerhouse program with top recruits including wide receiver Travis Hunter and his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (who will now follow his father to Colorado).
In addition to an undefeated record this season, Sanders helped usher in publicity that contributed to NIL deals for athletes and even a spot on ESPN’s “College GameDay.”
![Florida head coach Jon Sumrall speaks after spring practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/USATSI_28676620_168416386_lowres-e1779828437389.jpg?quality=80&w=300)
