Deion Sanders has only been in Boulder for three years. But he has already gone all-in with Colorado. So when Rick George revealed he was stepping down, it rocked Deion’s world. The AD who’s been running the show since 2013 got a heartfelt farewell note from Deion. With a rough 3-7 record already weighing him down, George’s departure was another heavy blow. But Coach Prime kept it real and poured his heart out anyway.

On November 14, Deion came up with a long post. The caption read, “Love ya man and I appreciate the tremendous OPPORTUNITY you’ve given us. We OWE you we’re gonna do this together! Thank u for always being there, being real, being tough and being RICK GEORGE! I love you man and i appreciate u staying connected to the program. We need You. #CoachPrime.” The post captured the priceless moments that Deion shared with George over the last three years. 

George is officially set to step down as Colorado’s AD in July 2026. It will bring his 13-year Boulder chapter to an end. This tenure was highlighted by the headline-making hire of Deion. As per the reports, George will slide into a special adviser role to support the next AD and the school’s leadership. Going by the emotion oozing out of Deion’s farewell note, George has been the backbone of the Colorado program. 

Under his watch, Colorado added a new athletics building at Folsom Field. He also picked up the 2023-24 Athletic Director of the Year title. The AD steered Colorado back into the Big 12, a power play that helped send the Pac-12 into free fall after USC and UCLA jumped to the Big Ten. George delivered CU’s all-time top fundraising effort in 2014, securing $100 million for the UCHealth Champions Center.

However, hooking Deion in late 2022 was a bold swing by George. But the early returns were massive. Colorado packed every seat in 2023 and pulled in $3.2 billion in media attention, as measured by Cision. Still, the 65-year-old AD is leaving a year earlier than the contract term. 

Colorado’s Board of Regents handed George a fresh contract just days after Deion’s electrifying debut in September 2023. The deal ran through June 2027 at $1.1 million a year. George will stay involved with CU Athletics, helping drive key revenue efforts at a time when every dollar matters. With the AD stepping down, more than the next replacement, the Buffs fans are losing their sleep worrying about Deion’s future.

A new boss, a new pressure point for Deion Sanders

New bosses often shorten coaches’ leashes. Colorado’s AD transition could impact Deion’s long-term stability. George, who hired him in 2023, backed him heavily. He even handed Deion a five-year, $54 million extension in the spring. Colorado’s nine-win campaign was its strongest since 2016 and one of its top seasons since 2002. But this season, Coach Prime stands on quicksand with the Buffs hitting a 3-7 overall record. 

Bowl hopes are dead again for Colorado in its third season. Thanks to a three-game slide that includes two ugly 35-point beatdowns. Already, college football analysts are questioning Deion’s winning culture since he picked up the buzz of an NFL leap. However, George squashed the rumors of his exit affecting Deion in any way. Buffs’ beat writer, Mark Johnson, tweeted that George’s departure has no business with Deion’s future in Boulder. The post got the biggest seal of approval.

Retweeting it, Rick George wrote, “Well said to the greatest voice ever. Coach Prime is my guy and we will continue to make @CUBuffsFootball great!  On a mission to make CU Football great!” With Deion Sanders and George having formed a solid connection early on, the incoming AD will face a high bar. And landing someone who can juggle the portal, the budget swings, and department-wide fan engagement is no simple hire.