New CSU Coach Brings Fresh Pressure on Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders already has a lot on his plate at Colorado. His team just finished a rough 3–9 season, several players are leaving, and he needs to rebuild fast through recruiting. Now, things might get even harder. Colorado State made a big coaching move that could shake up recruiting in the state and put more heat on Sanders.

CSU hired Jim Mora as its new head coach on a five-year, $13 million contract. His pay starts at $2.4 million and will rise by $100,000 every year. Mora became an attractive option for the Rams after taking UConn to a strong 9–3 season. Colorado State, which finished 2–10 in the Mountain West, wanted a fresh start — and Mora says he plans to stay for the long haul.

During his introduction, Mora said he believes CSU will be the last stop of his career. He said the school and the city offer everything he and his family want. They are excited to “plant roots” in Fort Collins and build something long-term.

This hire comes at a key moment. Now that CSU is joining the Pac-12, the rivalry with Colorado is about to get more intense. Both schools want to control in-state recruiting, and Mora made it clear that he wants every top high school player in Colorado to stay home and join the Rams.

That puts direct pressure on Deion Sanders. He is known for his strong recruiting skills, but Mora also has a solid track record of developing talent. At UConn, he helped wide receiver Skylar Bell become one of the nation’s best pass catchers and a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. That kind of success is something young players pay attention to.

Meanwhile, Colorado is dealing with its own problems. Players are entering the transfer portal one after another. Linebacker Mantrez Walker was the fourth player from the 2025 class to leave, and safety Terrance Love has also confirmed he plans to transfer. Deion Sanders says these exits are not about playing time or coaching issues — he believes most players leave for financial reasons or bigger opportunities.

With a new rival rising fast and his roster changing daily, Deion Sanders faces a very important offseason. Jim Mora’s arrival has made the battle for the state tougher than ever.

Also Read: Kalani Sitake Becomes New Favorite for Penn State Job