Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders is reportedly expected to take the Colorado job at some point after the Tigers’ SWAC Championship Game on Saturday, according to multiple reports.
Sanders, 55, is in his third season as JSU’s coach. He has compiled a 26-5 record with consecutive SWAC championships and berths into the Celebration Bowl. The Tigers head into the 2022 Celebration Bowl in two weeks with a 12-0 record after Saturday’s 43-24 victory over Southern in the SWAC Championship Game.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback has been instrumental in building a talented JSU roster that included FBS transfers and top recruits, the most high-profile being 5-star freshman Travis Hunter.
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If Sanders does take a new job, Colorado or otherwise, he will owe a buyout to Jackson State.
Sanders will owe JSU about $300,000 for a contract buyout, according to a copy of the agreement he signed in 2020 that was obtained by the USA TODAY Network. Sanders’ current contract expires on Dec. 15, 2024.
The contract requires Sanders to pay half the remaining salary on his deal if he leaves for another job, so long as Ashley Robinson is still the athletics director at Jackson State.
The Tigers are set to face NC Central in the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 17 in Atlanta. Whether Sanders will be on the sidelines or not remains to be seen.