Since he started coaching, NFL great Deion Sanders seemed to be on a rocket ship trajectory to coaching in the NFL. Fans of “Coach Prime” will have to wait a little longer, as the Colorado Buffaloes head coach announced he would stay with the program another year.
That isn’t to say that NFL teams aren’t interested in Prime Time. Throughout the offseason, many teams—notably those who hold a high draft pick and need a new quarterback, like Deion’s son Shedeur—have been rumored to hire the coach. But when he was asked why he didn’t want an NFL job just yet, Coach Prime gave a surprising reason.
Why Deion Sanders Chooses Coaching College Over NFL
Sanders recently interviewed his former Dallas Cowboys teammate and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman on his show “We Got Time Today,” which airs on streaming service Tubi.
The two talked about their Super Bowl experiences, Sanders’ conversation with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about the team’s head coaching vacancy, and how football preparations have changed since they played.
“I know it’s cute, but I couldn’t coach pro ball. The way they practice, the way they go about it—I couldn’t take it as a man and as a football enthusiast. I care about the game,” Sanders explained. “The game is still providing for Troy and me. There’s no way I could allow that to happen on my watch. That would be tough,” he continued.
Arguably, the most significant difference in practice between the present day and when Sanders and Aikman played in the 1990s is the most recent CBA restrictions on the number of full-contact practices. While the policy is intended to reduce the danger of injury, it also limits players’ opportunities to compete in practice at game speed and intensity.
Sanders recalled their rigorous practices in Dallas and emphasized the unwavering commitment they all shared. Aikman would not tolerate an incomplete pass, Sanders was adamant about not giving up a single reception, WR Michael Irvin was never satisfied until he caught every ball thrown his way, and RB Emmitt Smith pushed himself to run 20 to 30 yards after every play, no matter what.
However, Aikman feels Sanders would have flourished as an NFL head coach and noted that Sanders’ powerful presence would have made him a perfect leader.
KEEP READING: Deion Sanders Delivers Hilariously Blunt Response to NFL Draft Questions
Despite Aikman’s encouragement, Sanders seems unlikely to be interested in returning to the NFL anytime soon. Coach Prime has made it obvious that he enjoys his job in Boulder.
Sanders’s decision to stay displays his confidence in the particular energy and passion he’s built with the program, which he believes is lacking at the pro level.
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