What does Deion Sanders’ raise mean for him and Colorado?
Deion Sanders’ $10 million salary represents a major investment from Colorado State. But how do schools fund increasing athletic costs?
- Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp has resigned from his coaching position at the University of Colorado.
- Sapp served on head coach Deion Sanders’ staff for two seasons, most recently as pass rush coordinator.
- Sapp’s departure is one of several recent changes to the Buffaloes’ defensive coaching staff.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp has been removed from the University of Colorado coaching staff under head coach Deion Sanders after two seasons in Boulder as a low-profile junior assistant coach.
Sapp, 53, never served as a full-time coach before joining Sanders’ staff in 2024, first as a graduate assistant coach and then as pass rush coordinator. But he said he loves his new role. It’s unclear why he took his mohawk out of town.
“Warren Sapp has resigned from the CU football coaching staff to pursue other opportunities,” the Colorado State Athletic Department said in a statement on February 26. “CU Athletics would like to thank Warren for his contributions to our football program and dedication to our student-athletes over the past two seasons.”
Sapp is one of several coaching staff members to leave the Buffaloes’ defense recently, including defensive line coach Domata Peko, who left to join the staff of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston also left to join the staff of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, and the hole was filled by Chris Marve, who was already on staff as the team’s new linebackers coach.
The Buffs led the Big 12 Conference in quarterback sacks in 2024 with 39, but fell back to just 13 in 2025, tied for 14.th out of the league’s 16 teams.
Sapp took an entry-level coaching job at the University of Colorado, earning $150,000 in his first year and $156,000 in his second year. His past history has raised concerns among Colorado domestic violence victim advocacy groups, as he is scheduled to be hired by the University of Colorado in 2024. However, Colorado later released a statement saying that athletic director Rick George “met privately with Mr. Warren and clearly outlined the department’s standards and expectations, which Mr. Warren acknowledged and agreed to.”
Last year, the University of Colorado had three Pro Football Hall of Famers on its staff, including Sanders, Sapp and Marshall Faulk. However, Faulk also left to take the head coaching job at Louisiana Southern, so there is now only one (Sanders).
Colorado State opens its spring practice season on March 2nd and will hold 15 practices through April 11th. This will be the fourth spring season in Boulder under coach Sanders, whose team finished 3-9 last year in 2025 after going 9-4 in 2024, 4-8 in 2023.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenboer@usatoday.com
