Deion Sanders keeps sending his guys to the next level, and this latest move proves it again. One of Colorado’s key coaches has officially landed an NFL job, turning heads across college football and pro circles.
The hire speaks to the culture Deion Sanders has built in Boulder, where preparation, accountability, and real football knowledge come first. The new hire comes shortly after Mike McCarthy left Boulder to join the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL teams are paying attention, not just to the players, but to the staff shaping them every day. This move also sends a clear message to recruits and assistants alike that Colorado is a pipeline to the league.
Deion Sanders Loses Key Colorado Assistant to the NFL
Deion Sanders is dealing with another major staff change as Colorado defensive line coach Domata Peko heads to the NFL.
According to reports, the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Peko to join Mike McCarthy’s staff as the team’s defensive line coach, marking a significant step forward in Peko’s coaching career and another reminder of how closely NFL teams are watching Sanders’ program.
Peko’s move makes sense on several levels. He brings 15 years of NFL playing experience, including stints with the Bengals, Broncos, Ravens, and Cardinals, and now returns to the AFC North with a Steelers front that values toughness and discipline in the trenches.
For Pittsburgh, it’s a proven football mind with credibility in the locker room. For Colorado, it’s a tough loss at a sensitive time.
The Buffaloes are in the middle of reshaping their defensive line after heavy transfer portal turnover. Sanders brought in a long list of new faces, including Sedrick Smith, Santana Hopper, Dylan Manuel, Ezra Christensen, Tyler Moore, and Domata Peko Jr.
The group had started to form an identity under Peko, making his departure especially frustrating as the offseason ramps up.
There’s also a personal layer. Peko leaves just months after his son committed to Colorado as a JUCO transfer. Coaching his own son was expected to be part of the journey, which adds weight to a decision that already carried major career implications.
For Sanders, this is the price of building a program that demands attention. When Colorado shows growth, the rest of football notices.
The next move will matter, because whoever steps in inherits talent, pressure, and expectations. One thing is clear though. When Deion Sanders builds, the league keeps knocking.
Also Read: Is Deion Sanders Trying To Solve a Lingering Culture Issue In Colorado?