It’s interview season in the NFL for head coaching vacancies. After previously expressing his desire to stay in the college ranks as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders has now been linked to one NFL franchise in particular, with reports of heavy interest.
Coach Prime Headed to the NFL? New Report Links Him to Raiders
Not many days pass without Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders making headlines. Just days after appearing on Good Morning America and stating, “We’re making some necessary changes right now to take it up yet another level,” Coach Prime is now linked to the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coaching vacancy.
NFL-connected associates of Colorado coach Deion Sanders have reached out to the Raiders to express his interest in the team’s coaching job, according to a source. https://t.co/jyR4ExglF3
— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) January 11, 2025
The Raiders parted ways with head coach Antonio Pierce following their Week 18 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Pierce, who stepped in as interim head coach midway through the 2023 season, led the team to a 5-4 record and subsequently had the interim tag removed ahead of the 2024 campaign.
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However, after a disappointing 4-13 season marred by off-field turmoil, Pierce was dismissed.
Adding to the upheaval, general manager Tom Telesco was fired a day later. Telesco, hired in January 2024, lasted just one season as GM despite making a splash in the NFL Draft by selecting Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers in the first round. Bowers was an immediate success, breaking multiple rookie receiving records. Despite that, Telesco’s short tenure highlighted organizational instability.
Reports suggest that Tom Brady, now a minority owner of the Raiders, has significant influence on owner Mark Davis. Brady reportedly advocates for aligning the timelines of the next general manager and head coach, a strategy that could appeal to Sanders.
Although Coach Prime recently dismissed rumors of an NFL departure, his impressive coaching record may attract attention from NFL franchises. At Colorado, Sanders inherited a 1-11 team and orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. After overhauling the roster via the transfer portal and landing one of the program’s highest-rated recruiting classes, Sanders led the Buffaloes to a 4-8 record in his first season.
In 2024, Colorado improved to 9-4, spending much of the season ranked in the top 25. His rapid transformation of the program’s culture has been undeniable.
Sanders has already begun building for Colorado’s future, securing commitments from two standout quarterbacks. Kaidon Salter, a dual-threat quarterback from Liberty, will bring experience in his final year of eligibility, while four-star recruit Julian “Juju” Lewis is viewed as the program’s long-term answer at the position. These developments make the reports of his potential NFL interest all the more surprising.
According to LV Review-Journal and Bleacher Report, Sanders’ representatives have reached out to the Raiders regarding the head coaching vacancy, signaling an openness to exploring NFL opportunities. On3 Sports has reported that Sanders has “very strong interest” in the position.
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The Raiders also face a quarterback dilemma, and Sanders’ son, Shedeur Sanders, is one of the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, alongside Miami’s Cam Ward. The idea of Sanders coaching his son at the professional level adds intrigue to the rumors.
If Sanders were to make the jump to the NFL, his departure would send shockwaves through the college football landscape. However, if any NFL destination matches his star power and charisma, it’s the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, home to the Raiders.
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