FSU fans split on Sanders return

The question of whether Deion Sanders should return to Florida State has become a source of debate among local alumni.

Jim Pennington, president of the Seminole Club of the Rockies, serves more than 4,000 Florida State alumni in Colorado. He described his stance as the middle ground, neither fully supporting nor opposing a hiring decision. He cited the financial burden of recent coaching changes as a primary concern.

The Seminoles dismissed Mike Norvell on Sunday following a 3-5 start to the 2026 season. Norvell finished with a 41-39 career record at the university. He is the second coach fired since Jimbo Fisher departed for Texas A&M in 2017. The buyout for Norvell is reportedly $50.3 million. The university previously paid more than $20 million to Willie Taggart and his staff.

Sanders is 19-26 over three-and-a-half seasons at the University of Colorado. The Buffs ended a five-game losing streak last weekend with an overtime victory over Kansas State. They are now 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the Big 12. They face Arizona State on Saturday night.

According to a 2025 contract extension, any new employer must pay Colorado $10 million to buy out the remainder of Sanders' contract for the 2026 season. He is currently the highest-paid coach in the Big 12 with a salary of $10 million. His contract specifies raises to $11 million for 2027 and 2028, and $12 million for 2029.

Kolby Crawford, a Florida State reporter for 247Sports, told CBSSports.com this week that the administration does not want the baggage associated with Sanders. He noted that there is an appetite for an FSU guy, but the top-down view suggests the complications are not desired during this rebuild. Sanders interviewed for the job after Taggart's departure but lost out to Norvell.

Tensions exist between Sanders and the FSU fanbase. Travis Hunter changed his commitment from Florida State to join Sanders at Jackson State before eventually moving to Colorado. Hunter won the 2024 Heisman Trophy. In August 2023, Sanders told a reporter that he graduated from an HBCU, specifically Talladega College, rather than an FBS program. He questioned why people referred to him as an alum if that was not where he graduated.

Pennington, a member of the class of 1981, held a season ticket for 34 years. He recalled Sanders' 76-yard punt return against Clemson in 1988 as a favorite moment. He expressed disappointment in Sanders' past comments about the university but acknowledged he is not on the selection committee. He said he is not leaning toward hiring Fisher again, comparing it to inviting an ex-wife back after she has married and divorced a second person.

The local fan base remains divided on the timing. Pennington noted that Sanders has brought excitement to Colorado. Since his daughter attended the university, he would hesitate to be part of the alumni group if Sanders left again. He hopes the administration makes the right choice for the program.