Deion Sanders’ turnaround as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football program (8-2) has been nothing short of amazing, as the team aims to reach the Big 12 Championship and the College Football Playoff.
However, amidst this remarkable transformation, Sanders’ name has surfaced in rumors about potential head coaching opportunities in the NFL, most notably with his former team, the Dallas Cowboys.
Despite the rumors, Coach Prime reaffirmed his commitment to CU during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
“I am happy where I am, man. I’m good. I got a kickstand down,” Sanders said. “That means I’m resting, I’m good, I’m happy. I’m excited, I’m enthusiastic about where I am. I love it here, truly do.”
Coach Prime also addressed the possibility of coaching in the NFL during the summer before his first season with the Buffaloes in 2023.
“I don’t have any desire or ambition to coach in the NFL,” Sanders told SI.com. “I have a problem with men getting their checks and not doing their jobs. I would be too tough as a coach in the NFL because I still have those old-school attributes.”
Sanders’ “old-school attributes” are proving successful. Just two years before this historic 2024 season, the Buffaloes had a dismal 1-11 record. Now, they are in the hunt for the Big 12 title.
Another reason for Sanders’ “kickstand” is his mentorship of young men. Coach Prime has been very vocal about his desire to build not just football players, but men. ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that this dedication might make it difficult for NFL teams to “kick up” that kickstand.
“Deion’s motivation, really, is giving these young men purpose, being around as a mentor, guiding them. He really is, as he says, happy. So it’s up to some NFL team to see if they can change his mind. I don’t know that any, outside of Dallas, is capable of doing that. But that will be up to these NFL owners here in the weeks to come,” Schefter said on SportsCenter Wednesday evening.
With two games remaining in the season, Coach Prime has led the Buffaloes to their first bowl-eligible season since 2020 and a No. 16 ranking in the College Football Playoff poll with a chance to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. If there were any thoughts in Sanders’ mind about a coaching opportunity, now is not the time.
The Buffaloes face the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. MT (FOX).
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