Colorado AD backs Deion Sanders amid mass exodus: ‘I have confidence in him’

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Deion Sanders has shaken up the culture at the University of Colorado just a few months into running the show in Boulder. 

Sanders was brought in to bring winning back to a program that has won double-digit games just once since 2002. 

University of Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders takes the field for warmups before the Black and Gold game at Folsom Field April 22, 2023.  (Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

But he’s done so by completely rebuilding the roster, with 57 players entering the transfer portal since Sanders became the head coach, according to a school spokesman. 

COLORADO BUFFALOES HAVE 18 PLAYERS ENTER TRANSFER PORTAL FOLLOWING SPRING GAME

On Thursday, Colorado athletic director Rick George threw his support behind Sanders as he attempts to build a winner in Boulder. 

"I have confidence in him and his staff, and they know what they're doing," George told ESPN following the Pac-12's spring meetings. "He's been very honest and forthright. He's been very open about it publicly and privately. He's trying to build a winner at Colorado, and this is his way to do it."

Sanders made it clear from the moment he stepped on campus that changes were coming to the program. 

In his first meeting with returning players, Sanders told them to "go ahead and jump in that [transfer] portal" as he was bringing players with him from Jackson State. 

While some players left the program voluntarily, the NCAA stipulates that first-year head coaches may cut players from the roster, though the university must honor the players' scholarships. 

Deion Sanders, CUs new head football coach, and athletic director