Pete Thamel evaluates key area Deion Sanders must improve as coach

It’s no secret the Colorado roster was not the best last season. Even with Deion Sanders bringing in a lot from the NCAA transfer portal, the Buffaloes had a hard time competing against power conference foes throughout a 12-game schedule. This led to a 4-8 record, technically an improvement from 2022’s 1-11.

There was certainly a chance to earn bowl eligibility, especially after beginning the year 3-0. But ESPN’s Pete Thamel points to Sanders still having some inexperience as a coach — something he must improve on moving forward. Two specific games were mentioned that ultimately resulted in Colorado losses.

“Deion Sanders, game coaching wise, cost them two games last year,” Thamel said. “They had a 29-point lead in the second half against Stanford. They did not run the ball, they did not bleed the clock. It was poor game management.”

Colorado had 35 rushing attempts against Stanford, a number you would expect to be higher with a near 30-point lead. Maybe the 3.8 yards per carry discouraged calling in run plays and putting the ball in Shedeur Sanders‘ hands, who ended up with 47 pass attempts.

In six second-half possessions, just one of them exceed three minutes for Colorado. Three punts, two turnover on downs, and one touchdown eventually sent the game to 2OT and a heartbreaking loss.

Thamel then points to an end-of-half situation against Oregon State, giving the Beavers a free touchdown due to poor play-calling. With 45 seconds left, Colorado went incomplete pass, incomplete pass, and run on 3rd and 10 — only for Oregon State to call timeout.

An illegal formation penalty and a nice return on the punt put Oregon State on the 20-yard line. One play later, Deshaun Fenwick catches a ball from DJ Uiagalelei for a touchdown to take a 14-3 lead into the locker room.

Colorado ultimately lost the game by seven points, making it a third straight loss in an eventual six-game losing streak to close out the season.

Sanders is entering just his second season of coaching at college football’s highest level. He has just three prior years of experience at Jackson State albeit, with a ton of success.

Avoiding mistakes, the ones he made against Stanford and Oregon State, will be required as he continues in Boulder, though.

“Those are the type of things that as Deion Sanders evolves as a coach, he needs to get better at,” Thamel said.