coach prime: $54 million richer Coach Prime set to earn way more than his career NFL earnings after massive CU extension

$54 million richer Coach Prime set to earn way more than his career NFL earnings after massive CU extension

NFL: Super Bowl LIX-NFL Honors Red Carpet - Source: Imagn — Deion Sanders signed a contract extension last Friday. - Source: Imagn

Coach Prime has not only become the fourth highest-paid college coach in the country, but astonishingly, his contract extension with the Colorado Buffaloes is worth more than what he earned during his entire Hall of Fame playing career.

Sanders signed a five-year, $54 million contract extension on Friday. During his entire playing career, which lasted 12 seasons between 1989 and 2005 (Sanders didn’t play from 2001 to 2003) he earned $33.6 million.

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Sure, there is inflation to consider as well as the salary cap in the NFL, which was considerably lower than it is today as the league has grown more profitable by the season.

However, the salary disparity still shows how coaches' and players' salaries have evolved in the last 30 years. Coach Prime’s impact goes beyond the football field, as Colorado reported a considerable increase in applications since the former Atlanta Falcons player arrived.

On the field, the Buffaloes went from a 1-11 record before Coach Prime arrived to a 9-4 season and a trip to the Alamo Bowl last year. The team has also attracted some top talent, with Julian Lewis, the nation’s 10th-ranked high school quarterback prospect committing to the Buffaloes. They also secured top transfers Kaidon Salter and Jaheim Oatis through the portal.

Coach Prime is entering his third season in Boulder, and they're looking even stronger than last season.

Coach Prime could earn even more through incentives

The $54 million contract gets even better for Deion Sanders with numerous incentives.

Perhaps the most appealing bonus would trigger if the Buffaloes win the Big 12 Championship Game or play in the first round of the CFP, earning him $400,000. An additional $50,000 would be earned if the team wins in the first round of the CFP.

If the Buffaloes earn a CFP first-round bye, the bonus would be $450,000. Coach Prime would earn $100,000 for appearing in the CFP semifinals, $200,000 for making it to the title game, and $250,000 for winning a national championship.

There is also a $150,000 incentive for winning nine games, with an additional $100,000 for each win after that. If the Buffaloes play in a bowl game outside of the CFP, there would also be a $150,000 bonus.

As for individual accolades, he could be getting $75,000 if he is named Big 12 Coach of the Year and $150,000 if he is honored as the National Coach of the Year.

About the author

Allan Wolburg Robles is a College Sports journalist at Sportskeeda with over 17 years of experience in the field writing for publications including Reforma, Yahoo! OddsShark and Apuesta. Allan studied Communications at Anáhuac University, where he learned what would become the basis of a trade that was already a dream of his before starting college.

His favorite team is Army West Point as when he was young, Allan lived in West Point for a couple of years, went to pretty much every home game, a couple of Army-Navy games and even got to meet some of the players.

Allan's favorite players of all time include Tommie Frazier, who was unbelievable during the Nebraska dynasty of the early 90's. Tim Tebow was also a favorite, mainly because of his leadership skills, although he was also awesome on the football field. As a fan of defensive football, (or what's left of it), Sean Taylor could take over a game for Miami.

Allan has always considered himself a student of the game more than a fan of it. So the historical part and evolution of the game, as well as the ins and outs of what happens on the field, and being able to put it into words for the audience, are his biggest strengths.

Besides sports, Allan enjoys reading books, watching movies and spending time with his dogs.

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Edited by Nicolaas Ackermann