CU Boulder extends Coach Prime's contract through 2029

Why it matters: Speculation swirled that Coach Prime — credited with one of the biggest turnarounds in college football history— was eyeing a jump to the NFL.

Follow the money: The five-year, $54 million contract makes Sanders one of the highest-paid coaches in the country, the Denver Post reports.

• He'll rake in $10 million both this year and next, $11 million in 2027 and in 2028, and $12 million in 2029, per NBC Sports.

State of play: The new contract puts Sanders in the same salary class as Ohio State's Ryan Day, Georgia's Kirby Smart and Clemson's Dabo Swinney — all national-title-winning head coaches.

• It makes Sanders the highest-paid coach in the Big 12, per Front Office Sports.

By the numbers: Sanders inherited a 1–11 team in 2022. Just two seasons later, CU boasts nine wins and a bowl game appearance.

• The Buffs drew more than 54 million TV viewers in 2024 — including 8 million for their Alamo Bowl matchup with BYU, the most-watched in the bowl's 32-year history, per the university.

Between the lines: CU football is back in the national spotlight — and the Coach Prime effect is spreading.

• Undergraduate applications are up 20% over last year due in part to his presence, the university says.

Context: Ryan Koenigsberg, co-host of DNVR Buffs Podcast, called the new contract "validating" on a podcast episode Friday, suggesting Sanders' was criticized and discredited for being a "celebrity coach."

• "What a freaking day," Koenigsberg said.

What they're saying: "Coach Prime has revolutionized college football and ... restored CU football to our rightful place as a national power," George said in a statement Friday.

• His new contract, George added, "keeps him in Boulder to compete for conference and national championships in the years to come.

What we're watching: Whether the Sanders' pay translates to better play at Folsom Field this fall — and how the security of a long-term contract for Coach Prime will boost CU's ability to lure top recruits.

What's next: The Buffaloes will look to claim their first Big 12 title in a quarter-century this fall.

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