Coach Prime has gone from NFL superstar to one of the most talked-about names in college football. With his NFL pedigree, many have wondered if Deion Sanders will eventually make a comeback to the NFL, just as a coach.
His passion for and respect toward the game are clear, however, and he’s left no doubt he’s here to stay.
Coach Prime Believes He Can Win a National Championship
Last season, the Colorado Buffaloes exceeded expectations, finishing ranked No. 23 overall with a 9-4 record. They earned a trip to the Valero Alamo Bowl—Deion Sanders’ first bowl game as a coach—where they lost to No. 17 BYU, 36-14.
With spring practice in full swing, Sanders sat down with Skip Bayless to discuss his next steps and the legacy he hopes to leave.
“Ex-superstars don’t become good coaches — that brings us to Deion Sanders.”
Looking at former standouts like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, it’s clear that success on the court or field hasn’t always translated to success on the sidelines.
Few Hall of Fame players have made a seamless jump from playing to coaching. Mike Ditka and Bill Russell are among the rare exceptions, each winning championships as both player and coach.
Some argue that ego plays a role; others believe former stars simply weren’t fully committed to the demands of coaching. Sanders sees it differently.
“Necessity, I’m driven by need and purpose.”
Strong words from a man who thrived in two professional sports. Ironically, football isn’t even his favorite.
“That’s the sport [baseball] I dream about… that’s the sport I’m upset about. I wish I could have given it more… it was incomplete. I wanted to do better.”
While Coach Prime may still dream about baseball, his focus is on building something special in football. The Buffaloes lost nine players to the NFL draft this past season, including stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders—both expected to be selected in the top five.
Even with those departures, Sanders is optimistic about 2025. He’s confident in his players and the staff around him.
“We’re not gonna have better athletes, but we’re gonna have a better team… this staff is so knowledgeable and so good… these kids are being coached by darn near every position a pro, it’s unbelievable.”
Sanders has turned Colorado into one of the most talked-about programs in the country. But some wonder if he’d ever leave for a more established school, like Ohio State or Alabama.
“Yeah, I don’t inherit legacies, I build them — God has never sent me to a place where it was a winning position… and I like the challenge of that.”
His commitment to selflessness and building a team-first culture defines him as a coach. Though he welcomes new challenges, Sanders remains deliberate in his decisions.
When asked about Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys, he didn’t shy away:
“I love him to life. I know the true Jerry Jones that a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to see — after we conversed, I said wow, this is a possibility, but the only way I would have done it is if I had an opportunity to coach my sons… I would have been ecstatic.”
That day may come. But for now, Sanders is focused on Colorado and preparing his players for what’s next.
MORE: Latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft has Shedeur Sanders at No. 2
As spring practice continues and the Buffaloes gear up for 2025, Coach Prime left fans with this message:
“I love Boulder, Colorado. Everything it brings to us—the weather, the setting, the people, everything about it—I really do.”
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