In a bold move to instill discipline within his team, Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, has introduced a system of fines for players who violate team rules. Announced during the first team meeting held in March 2026, this policy aims to ensure accountability among players and reinforce expectations for conduct.
Details of the Fine Structure
During the meeting, which included various coaches and team leaders, Sanders outlined specific financial penalties for a range of infractions. Players will incur a fine of $500 for arriving late to practice, while a no-show will result in a penalty of $2,500. Other fines include $400 for tardiness to meetings or film sessions and $2,000 for not attending them. Strength and conditioning workouts also carry fines of $1,000 for lateness and $1,500 for absences. Additionally, players will face fines of $1,000 for being late to treatment and $1,500 for missing treatment sessions.
The structure extends to violations of team rules, with fines ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the severity. Misconduct on public platforms or social media can lead to penalties between $2,000 and $5,000. Furthermore, damaging university or team property will incur a fine of $3,000 plus repair costs, while losing team technology or equipment results in a $1,000 fine plus replacement costs. Misuse of athletic training equipment will be penalized with fines from $500 to $2,000.
To ensure fairness, Sanders included an appeal process for players who receive fines. While student-athletes do not qualify as employees, a source from BuffZone indicated that these fines are permissible as they are unrelated to players’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements, on-field performance, or revenue sharing.
Context and Comparisons
This disciplinary measure aligns with practices seen in other collegiate programs across the United States. The source emphasized that the fine structure implemented by Sanders is not unique to Colorado and mirrors systems in place at various institutions.
Additionally, the funds collected from these fines will support the operating budget of the CU athletic department, contributing to the overall financial health of the program.
Coaching Changes and Team Development
In conjunction with the new fine structure, Sanders announced the hiring of Aaron Fletcher as the Buffaloes’ new cornerbacks coach. Fletcher joins the coaching staff without replacing anyone; instead, he will collaborate with Kevin Mathis, who has served as the Buffs’ cornerbacks coach for the past three years and will now focus on nickel backs and defensive passing strategies.
Fletcher has an extensive coaching background, having served as co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Abilene Christian in 2024. His previous experience includes roles at Arizona State (2022), Missouri (2021), Tulsa (2015-2020), and Houston Baptist (2012-2014). He also held a position as a defensive analyst at Mississippi in 2023 and interned with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos.
As the Colorado Buffaloes prepare for the upcoming season, these changes signal a commitment to enhancing team discipline and performance. Under Sanders’ leadership, the focus on accountability and professionalism could reshape the culture within the program.
