Sanders returns to full health, sets staff curfew ahead of Colorado opener
Deion Sanders says he is fully recovered from bladder cancer and has already declared Colorado's program turned around as the Buffaloes prepare to open at Georgia Tech.
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Deion Sanders enters the 2026 college football season in sharply better health than a year ago, when a bladder cancer recovery limited his availability and sidetracked his focus on the Colorado program [3]. Sanders has now described himself as a full go heading into fall camp, a notable development for a program that has leaned heavily on his personality and recruiting profile since he arrived in Boulder [3].
Sanders has been at the helm of the Colorado program since the 2023 season, a tenure that began with a 4-8 finish before a significant turnaround in 2024, when the Buffaloes went 9-4 and wide receiver Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy [2]. That trajectory has formed the foundation of Sanders's public confidence heading into the new year.
Colorado's program is already 'turned around.'
— Deion Sanders, per Yahoo Sports CFB [2]
A curfew — but not for the players
With the season opener scheduled at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Sanders revealed an unusual preparation detail: he plans to institute a curfew for the trip, though the restriction is reportedly not aimed at the players [1]. The specifics of who the curfew targets were not fully disclosed, but the announcement drew attention as an example of Sanders's unconventional approach to program management [1].
Atlanta carries cultural significance for Sanders, and the Georgia Tech matchup represents an early high-profile road test for a Colorado team that finished 9-4 last season [2]. How the Buffaloes perform away from home in a marquee environment could offer an early read on whether the program's momentum from 2024 has carried over [2][3].
Sanders's health update adds another layer to a program that has consistently generated national attention since his hiring. With his recovery now behind him, the coming season will offer a clearer picture of what Colorado's football operation looks like when its head coach is operating without the constraints of a serious medical situation [3].
