Strike 3: Most indicators are pointing to Deion Sanders remaining as the head football coach at the University of Colorado, despite what a whole lot of us had previously thought. When he was hired two seasons ago, it was considered a given that Deion would depart after two seasons in Boulder at the same time his sons Shedeur and Shilo did, especially if he had any success, which he did.

The coach’s departure is no longer a foregone conclusion.

However…

The coaching carousel at both the college and pro football levels is in full spin cycle at this moment. In fact, it’s just ramping up on the NFL side. There are already a half dozen NFL job openings, and a few at the college level as well. Deion leaving for greener pastures (with the emphasis on green) is most certainly still possible.

And while Deion has always been “show me the money” guy, the green may be an even bigger factor than was previously thought. There are new financial strains being put on CU (and other college programs, through no fault of their own) that makes keeping a high profile coach more difficult than ever before.

There are new rules changes coming that are expected to be approved by a federal judge in April and scheduled to take effect the first of July. Football expenses will be on the rise. Schools/programs will be asked to fund a $21-plus million budget for paying athletes under a sort of salary cap arrangement, plus previous football scholarship limits of 85 per program are going out the window, replaced by roster and scholarship limits of 105. That’s 20 more scholarships per school, for you SEC grads, that need to be fully funded, too.

Deion was paid (by the university) a salary of $5.7 million last season, which ranked fourth in the Big 12 and just 38th nationally. That was after a 4-8 season and no bowl trip. On the heels of a nine-win season, it would not be unusual for any head coach – especially a high profile one – to seek a raise that put him on the same level as his peers. Deion’s not hurting, and with his multiple endorsement deals and TV gigs he’s probably making north of $8 million a year. Still, there’s ego involved in wanting a pay raise you believe is deserved.

The three Big 12 coaches who were paid more than Sanders this past season include two – Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy (highest in the Big 12 at 17th but scheduled to take a pay cut) and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham (30th) – that Sanders’ Buffs whipped up on last season. And after the season, conference champ Arizona State renegotiated with their head coach, Kenny Dillingham, extending his contract for five more years and making him, “one of the highest-paid coaches in the Big 12” according to reports. A few others in the conference, including BYU’s Kalani Sitake and perhaps Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, could be in line for raises as well.

That puts a lot of pressure on CU to keep up. And it may be more than just paying players, funding additional scholarships and Deion’s salary that’s involved. According to a report by Fox Sports Jason Whitlock (and take it for what it’s worth), “Colorado’s budget constraints” could be a factor in Deion choosing to move on. Whitlock’s report also stated that the CU program is cashed strapped, and that tight purse strings were a problem for players during their Alamo Bowl trip. Meanwhile, BYU was reportedly able to provide “a luxurious experience” during their time in San Antonio.

You can see why, if these reports are accurate, that Sanders might not be thrilled with the current arrangement.

The next few weeks will be worth watching, even if Colorado isn’t a part of the College Football Playoff. The Buffs football games for 2024 are over, but the struggle may not be.