Deion Sanders is in the midst of one of his worst coaching years. The Buffaloes coach currently sits at 3-6 on the season, with major changes to his coaching staff. Considering everything Sanders has gone through in 2025; Sanders has a friend in Griffin.
The Colorado Buffaloes lost several of their major contributors in 2024. The team overall in 2025 was expected to be a better 'team' even without those players they lost. After going 1-3 in the last month with consecutive 50-point losses, some of the viewing public is giving Sanders less empathy than Griffin would like.
The former Baylor Heisman Trophy winner took to his “Outta Pocket” podcast and his social media to air out his frustration with the current treatment of Sanders.
“When a coach has health complications, they are given grace by the media and the public because they are understanding of what they are fighting through”, Griffin said on the “Outta Pocket” podcast. “Deion Sanders has not been afforded the same empathy at Colorado this year. Despite being diagnosed with cancer, having his bladder removed and having a procedure in the middle of the season to alleviate blood clots, the tear-downs of the man this program have been relentless. The X’s and O’s have to improve, but we can’t forget the human element of what has happened in Deion Sanders’ life this year” Griffin claimed.
Deion Sanders might be the most polarizing figure in the world of college coaching. Regardless of sport. His team is going to be the focus of national attention as long as he’s associated with the program. He provides a healthy amount of access most fans wouldn’t see with other programs, ensuring the Buffaloes will continue to be a topic of discussion.
While Griffin would like fans to take Sanders’ difficult health journey into account, that is a conversation for each individual viewer. While this season carries on, it’s unlikely many fans are not considering Sanders’ battle with health concerns during the remainder of this season.
Despite Griffin feeling compelled to come to Sanders’ aid on this topic, Sanders has been consistently adamant for fans and the media to put the results of the season on him. In both Saturday and Tuesday media availability, Sanders has invoked the “buck stops here” approach.
While Griffin’s concerns are valid, the reality of the situation is Deion Sanders could’ve taken more time to recover from another major health battle in his life. The program would’ve understood. The fans would’ve understood. The media would’ve understood.
This week Colorado travels to Morgantown West Virginia to take on the Mountaineers. That game will be the first start for former five-star quarterback Julian Lewis. It will also be the first game where viewers will be aware ahead of time that a coach other than Pat Shurmur will be calling plays. That game will kickoff at noon ET and broadcast on TNT and HBOMax.