The Alamo Bowl clash was always going to be about the larger picture for the Colorado Buffaloes. Reaching a first bowl game since 2020, represented progress under Deion Sanders, but it also meant the next chapter of his Buffs journey was going to be more challenging. With Heisman winner Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders leaving for the NFL, murmurs about his own future as well as that of DC Robert Livingston, Coach Prime will be a busy man and his task just got harder.

The blowout defeat to BYU on Saturday was not the farewell Deion Sanders had in mind for his departing players. Still, the result should not take away from the fact that Sanders has been able to turn around the program that finished 4-8 last season and had them in playoff contention for some time before finishing 9-4 in the regular. Sanders was emotional after the game, knowing that this was the last time he would coach his sons in college.

Reminiscing about when his sons and Hunter first donned the colors of the Buffs, Coach Prime said, “The journey. The journey has been tremendous. I’m sorry, this is tough.” Well, as it turns out, the next part of his journey isn’t going to be easy.

According to Matt Zenitz, the Buffs are set to lose two of its top assistant coaches to Mississippi State. Offensive line coach Phil Loadholt and defensive ends coach Vincent Dancy will be joining HC Jeff Lebby at Starkville.

Zenitz tweeted, “Mississippi State is hiring Colorado offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, sources tell @ScoutSteveR and me for @CBSSports /@247Sports. Before Colorado, the ex-Oklahoma and NFL offensive lineman was on staff at Oklahoma and Ole Miss, where he worked with Jeff Lebby.” He also confirmed that Dancy will be carrying out the same duties for Lebby in Mississippi as he did at Boulder. 

Chris Gordy of ‘Locked on SEC’ brought up Zenitz’s report and said, “Loadholt is a former Oklahoma and NFL offensive lineman very familiar with Lebby from his days at Ole Miss at Oklahoma, and then Dancy was the head coach at Mississippi Valley prior to joining Deion and staff in Boulder. So, we’ll see, you know, the roles that those guys take on. But obviously, two key additions there for Jeff Lebby over there in Mississippi State. They need all the help that they can get.”

This will come as a shot in the arm for the Bulldogs, as they finished the season with an overall record of 2-12. These two new additions could go a long way in helping Mississippi State as evidenced by their work in Colorado. 

Loadholt joined Coach Prime’s coaching staff as offensive line coach last offseason and oversaw significant improvements. He helped reduce sacks by 17 compared to the previous season. This was vital in the Buffs’ success this season with better protection for quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Loadholt has history with Mississippi State HC Lebby having worked together at Central Florida, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma.

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Dancy, came to Colorado as a defensive quality control analyst before being promoted to defensive ends coach last offseason and quickly made an impact. His work with players like BJ Green II and Arden Walker led to a noticeable improvement in Colorado’s defensive front. The departure of these two coaches could be telling, but for someone in Colorado, it will be an opportunity to step up.

Warren Sapp, the Graduate Assistant on the Buffs’ staff has become a vital presence in Coach Prime’s setup. The Hall of Fame defensive tackle had a positive impact on the Buffs’ defensive front this season, with his “Earn the right to rush the QB,” mantra saw opponents’ rushing yards reduce.

Choosing him as the defensive ends coach will put to rest any uncertainty in that area and he will have more authority to exert his ideas. Sapp mirrors Sanders in a lot of ways and his promotion could bode well for the program overall. Very few college programs can offer recruits the chance to learn under two  Hall of Famers.

As for the OL replacement for Loadholt, one name that springs to mind is Mike Munchak. A 10-time All-Pro, Munchak was named to the NFL’s 1980 All-Decade Team and was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He more recently served as offensive line coach for the Broncos till 2021, having joined in 2019. His coaching also includes stints with the Steelers (OL) and as head coach for the Titans from 2011-2013.

Even though Deion Sanders has been clear about his future, saying, “I’m happy where I am,” after being linked to the Cowboys, his defensive coordinator Robert Livingston is also likely to draw interest.

Another key departure for the Buffs will be Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, who was at the center of the Buffs’ defense with his toughness and character. This leaves the question of how the Buffs are going to replace them all. The 2025 might turn out to be a topsy-turvy affair. Coach Prime is braced for a tricky offseason and it looks like he will have a few pivotal decisions to make.

What can the fans expect from Deion Sanders in 2025?

In the post-game presser, ‘Coach Prime’ remained candid about the work he had done in Colorado. While many critics continued to point out the lack of any championship during his time, he detailed how he made the Buffs fans hopeful and laid a foundation. He said, “We’ve established expectations. Now, people expect us to perform, to win, and to be exciting. That’s the foundation we’re building here.”

Sanders might have to rely on the prodigal talent Julian Lewis, who is eager to replace Shedeur as the team’s QB. The freshman turned heads with his 3,798 passing yards during his high school stint. But he is not the only one. Kaidon Salter is an experienced QB who has patiently waited for his time and shinned whenever he was given.

While these two compete for the coveted spot, Hunter’s CB spot needs filling too. Then there are questions of how Sanders will choose Silmon-Craig’s successor. Not to mention the new vacancies in the staff room.