Nick Saban, Alabama’s revered head coach, recently expressed admiration for Deion Sanders‘ coaching prowess, spotlighting Sanders’ triumphs at Colorado. While Saban hasn’t been glued to all of Colorado’s matches this season, the gripping double-overtime win against Colorado State didn’t escape his attention.
Sanders, whose illustrious NFL career as a cornerback won him a place in the Hall of Fame, has impressively steered Colorado to a pristine 3-0 record. This includes a notable victory against the formidable TCU, last year’s national championship runner-up. Speaking on Wednesday, Saban remarked, “Deion Sanders has consistently earned my respect, both as a commendable individual and for the significant buzz he’s generated for the program on a national scale.”
It’s evident to Saban that under Sanders’ guidance, Colorado is exhibiting admirable discipline, tactical execution, and a robust defensive stance – attributes synonymous with an adept coach. “I’ve always held the belief that Sanders possesses innate coaching capabilities,” Saban stated.
Recalling Sanders’ earlier stints, he successfully led Jackson State with a 27-6 record over three seasons, clinching two Southwestern Athletic Conference titles in the FCS. His coaching journey also took him to Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas, where he served as an offensive coordinator. Additionally, Sanders was part of the elite coaching ensemble for the Under Armour All-America Game. Saban noted, “Be it at Jackson State, high school, or presently at Colorado, Deion’s teams manifest the hallmarks of adept coaching.”
Sanders took charge of a beleaguered Colorado squad, which had a disappointing 1-11 run the previous year. However, the transformation under him has been radical. Colorado welcomed 86 fresh scholarship recipients, a mix of school recruits and transfers, signaling a massive overhaul.
In a candid chat on “60 Minutes,” Sanders extolled Saban, reminiscing about their shared moments during Aflac commercials. He expressed deep admiration, likening his interactions with Saban to a pupil learning from a seasoned maestro.
This weekend offers a football spectacle as Sanders’ 19th-ranked Colorado faces 10th-placed Oregon. Concurrently, football enthusiasts will also witness Saban’s 13th-ranked Alabama taking on 15th-placed Ole Miss.