DENVER — Rick George, the athletic director at Colorado who hired football coach Deion Sanders, is stepping away from his role at the end of the academic year.

The university announced his decision Thursday with the football team on a bye week. George plans to move into an advisory role to the chancellor and serve as director of athletics emeritus. He will help raise money for the department.

George was brought on as Colorado's athletic director in July 2013. One of his biggest moves was in December 2022 when he hired Sanders, the former NFL star known as Coach Prime, who has revitalized a downtrodden football program. George also oversaw the transition of the school from the Pac-12 Conference back to the Big 12.

“After considerable thought and discussions with my family dating back to

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