The fairytale was rolling. Deion Sanders had Colorado looking like the hottest ticket in town. From 4-8 in 2023 to 9-4 in 2024, the Buffs were back in business. Travis Hunter brought home the school’s first Heisman since Rashaan Salaam in 1994, and Prime had Boulder buzzing like never before. But just when it seemed like the dream was about to hit another level, reality came knocking. Now, as 2025 looms, cracks are showing in the foundation, and Coach Prime ain’t looking too thrilled about it.

Kevin Borba, a Colorado insider, hopped on the Locked on Buffs podcast on February 11 and dropped some cold, hard truth about the chaos behind the scenes. The Buffaloes have been bleeding coaching talent, and it’s starting to feel like Prime is stuck on a never-ending treadmill of replacements. Sean Lewis dipped in mid-2023, then bounced to San Diego State for a head coaching gig. Phil Loadholt, the O-line coach? Gone to Mississippi State. Charles Kelly? Snagged the head coaching job at Jacksonville State.

But the gut punch?

That came with the departure of defensive line coach Damione Lewis. “Coach Prime just suffered what I consider to be the biggest loss of his coaching staff in his two years on the job,” Borba said. And he’s not wrong. Lewis, a Miami alum, took CU from having a tissue-soft defensive front in 2023 to a unit that led the Big 12 in sacks (39) and tackles for loss (79) and allowed just 23.1 points per game. Under his guidance, BJ Green, Shane Cokes, and Amari McNeill flourished, and Colorado’s defense jumped to 28th in total rankings nationally.

Losing him to Miami stings, but what makes it worse is the timing. Deion just went on a shopping spree in the transfer portal and landed Alabama beast Jehiem Oatis. And now? The man who was supposed to coach him up is gone. “Losing Lewis right after securing Jehiem Oatis is tough,” Borba added. “I would have loved to see him work with Oatis, who I believe is a bigger addition than Kylan Salter, Joseph Williams, or Martavius French in terms of impact.” Safe to say, Prime’s got some thinking to do. The one silver lining?

Warren Sapp is still in Boulder. The Hall of Famer was an assistant D-line coach in 2024 and could be the next man up. But Prime could also go fishing for an outside hire. Either way, the defense’s new leader has some big cleats to fill.

Deion Sanders and Colorado’s 2025 season: defense check

If Colorado wants to keep climbing, the defense has to stay nasty. The Buffs lost some pieces, but Deion hit the transfer portal like a mad scientist, cooking up a defense that could still cause problems in 2025. Defensive Line: Arden Walker is back, and he’s got some monsters joining him. Alabama transfer Jehiem Oatis is a certified disruptor, and they added London Merritt, a former Ohio State commit, straight out of high school. It’s a fresh mix of raw talent and experienced production, but without Lewis, they need a steady hand to mold the group.

Linebacker & Secondary: The Buffs knew they needed reinforcements here, especially after losing Travis Hunter and Shilo Sanders. They went out and grabbed UTSA transfer, Martavius French, TCU’s Kylan Salter, and Jacksonville State’s Reginald Hughes to beef up the linebacker corps. In the secondary, Oklahoma transfer Makari Vickers and USF safety Tawfiq Byard will try to fill the void left by Hunter. They also snagged three-star prospect Antonio Branch Jr. from the high school ranks.

Make no mistake, the roster still has plenty of firepower. But roster talent is one thing; having the right coaches in place is another. Deion Sanders built this program by moving fast and making big moves, but even the best game plans take a hit when your sideline keeps changing. Losing Damione Lewis after just one season is a body blow, and with the 2025 season on the horizon, Prime has to make sure his squad stays locked in. The transfer portal might’ve brought in new weapons, but stability is what wins championships.

Coach Prime doesn’t do excuses. Now it’s on him to prove that this squad ain’t just a flash in the pan. Boulder was a movie last season, but can Deion keep the script rolling? We’re about to find out.