Deion Sanders surprised many by choosing to stay at Colorado despite interest from the Dallas Cowboys in hiring the Hall of Fame cornerback as a potential replacement for Mike McCarthy. Sanders, known for his nickname “Primetime,” revealed during a discussion on “We Got Time Today” on Tubi that he felt coaching in the NFL was not the right fit for him at this time.
“I couldn’t coach pro ball,” Sanders candidly admitted. “The way they practice, the intensity of the game – it’s just not something I could see myself doing. I have a deep respect for the game and I know it’s still providing for many, like Troy and me, so I wouldn’t want to compromise that. It would be a tough situation for me to handle.”
This sentiment is not new for Sanders, as he had previously expressed disinterest in any NFL coaching opportunities during an interview on “60 Minutes” in 2022. Despite his reservations about coaching in the NFL, Sanders has had moderate success at Colorado, achieving a 13-12 record in his two seasons as head coach. The Buffaloes had a solid 9-4 season recently, with standout player Travis Hunter winning the Heisman Trophy.
Reflecting on Sanders potentially coaching the Cowboys, former teammate Troy Aikman remarked, “For Dallas, Deion would have been a great fit. His commanding presence and strong personality would have been beneficial for the team dynamics. It’s crucial for an organization to have a head coach who is clearly in charge.”
Aikman also mentioned that some of Sanders’ former Cowboys teammates were disappointed by the team’s owner, Jerry Jones, not actively pursuing Sanders as a candidate for the coaching position. Aikman expressed his own surprise at the situation, emphasizing the importance of formal interviews and offers in the hiring process.
In the end, the Dallas Cowboys opted to promote offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to the head coaching position, continuing the team’s legacy under new leadership.
