Every time a high-profile job opens, Deion Sanders’ name finds its way into the conversation. He laughs it off, calls it “noise,” and reminds everyone that he’s “locked in” at Colorado.
Still, college football doesn’t stop asking the question. If the right school called, one that matched his mission, his brand, and his belief system, he’d have to at least listen.
Here are five that might make him do exactly that.
Florida State
This is the one that tugs at the heart. His school. His legacy. His story.
Despite some past tension, Sanders still speaks of Florida State with pride and familiarity, it’s where his rise began, and that connection hasn’t faded. The Seminoles have national reach, NIL power, and a recruiting base he knows by heart. If that door ever opened, it would test everything he’s built in Boulder.
SMU
It’s home. It’s Dallas. And it’s personal.
His son, Deion Sanders Jr., aka Bucky, played for the Mustangs, and Prime still has strong ties across the Metroplex. SMU now has ACC membership, deep donor pockets, and a fan base eager to go national. The idea of returning home, this time as the face of Texas football’s biggest private brand, would carry real weight. With Rhett Lashlee’s name linked to Arkansas and elsewhere, SMU should go all in for Coach Prime.
Picture Colorado’s 2024 team with about $15 million more dollars on the field. Oh, what could have been?
Money matters and SMU has it.
Baylor
Faith. Family. Football.
Those aren’t slogans for Sanders; they’re his compass. Baylor’s structure aligns perfectly with that mindset. It’s in the heart of Texas recruiting country and has a leadership culture that mirrors his values.
Head coach Dave Aranda has been under fire several times during his six-year stint in Waco. He’s a terrific coach, but it’s starting to feel like the fit may not be built for the long term. If the rumors are true and Aranda becomes a strong candidate for openings at UCLA and Stanford, Baylor could soon be looking for a fresh face, and Sanders’ mix of energy, discipline, and national reach would make him an immediate name on the board.
Clemson
If Dabo Swinney ever walked away, Clemson’s the kind of machine that could hand Sanders the keys and watch the ratings explode. He’s long praised Swinney’s faith-based foundation and how the Tigers built an empire out of belief and speed. Clemson would give him everything, the national stage, the recruiting lanes, and the autonomy to run it his way.
LSU
LSU literally calls itself “The Brand.” That’s not marketing fluff — it’s how the program sells itself on social media and in recruiting pitches. Pair that with Coach Prime’s charisma, and the idea becomes electric. Baton Rouge might not seem like the obvious next step, but in today’s transfer-heavy, NIL-driven college football world, it makes too much sense to ignore.
The Tigers have SEC swagger, national reach, and the kind of recruiting budget Sanders could weaponize overnight. The appeal would be tremendous for fans, donors, and recruits alike.
Could you imagine Sanders stepping into Tiger Stadium next fall with Julian Lewis, Jordan Seaton, London Merritt, a hand-picked transfer class and multiple five-star recruits? In 2025, that scenario isn’t fantasy. It’s just business.
LSU may never make the call. But if they did the college football would feel the tremor from coast to coast.
Five more jobs to keep an eye on
Texas Tech could be interesting if Joey McGuire ever moves on.
TCU is another, though it’s doubtful Sonny Dykes would leave for another job, the Horned Frogs would make a splash hire if he did.
Both USC and UCLA could be in play soon, and while Sanders certainly has entertainment ties in Southern California, either move would be surprising given his preference for southern roots and control.
And then there’s South Carolina — this one could get intriguing.
Jeremiah Donati, who once showed genuine interest in Sanders while serving as athletic director at TCU, now holds that same title in Columbia.
If Shane Beamer departs, watch out!
More college football news:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Steve Sarkisian reportedly interested in leaving Texas for NFL openings
- Cam Newton nearly comes to blows with a mascot on ESPN
- Paul Finebaum remains sold on one name for Florida opening