Kudos to Deion “Primetime” Sanders for developing one of the most successful programs in college football history with Jackson State University. Sanders was hired as Jackson State University’s head coach in 2020 when the team was struggling both offensively and defensively. Sanders was able to bring the right kind of discipline and swagger, which the team so desperately needed. As a player, he consistently demonstrated hard work, balanced with confidence and the right amount of iron will. Under Sanders’ guidance, the team immediately began developing a winning attitude. In 2021, the Tigers achieved a school record of 11 wins and were crowned the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Champions. That same year, Deion was given the Eddie Robinson Award as the top coach of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). This year Sanders orchestrated one of the greatest recruitment signings in Jackson State history with the signing of Travis Hunter, the number one rated player in the country. This resulted in another successful season, with the team going undefeated with a 12 – 0 record. This winning streak and attitude of Sanders had Division I schools calling his number.
At the conclusion of the 2022 season, and after careful consideration of his options, Sanders accepted the head coaching position at the University of Colorado Boulder (UCB). A member of the prestigious Pac – 12 Conference, the Buffaloes compete against such powerhouse schools as UCLA, USC, and Utah. UCB finished the 2022 season with only one win and eleven losses, so hiring Deion Sanders will revitalize the program and is the right move, in my opinion. Naysayers will criticize the move and will refer to Sanders as a turncoat and that his move is self-serving. Coaches come and go, whether they are recruited away as Sanders was, or they’re fired. Deion created a phenomenal program at Jackson State and provided a template for success upon his leaving.
Sanders, like so many athletes and coaches, live for the challenge. I believe his coaching career is unfulfilled, and at some point, we will see him coaching in the NFL. People are starting to realize that what they perceived as arrogance in Deion was nothing more than a confident belief in himself. I like that.
The Traveler Weekly 