Coach Prime back in Dallas? The speculation is running rampant as the Cowboys sleepwalk their way through a lost season. But is the idea of Prime in Big D just delusional? Mike Golic Jr. and Mike Golic Sr. delve into the factors that could sway him to leave Boulder.
ESPN’s Louis Riddick recently remarked on Get Up that, “The NFL needs someone like Deion Sanders. The question is whether the NFL fits him,” while The Athletic’s Dianna Russini in an appearance on The Dan LeBatard Show rejected the notion as impractical based on the discussions she’s had, notably thanks to Sanders’ satisfaction with college football and public commitment to staying at Colorado. His inner circle also shares those sentiments. Though she acknowledged that circumstances could evolve, Russini stressed that Dallas favors candidates with prior NFL coaching backgrounds over a rookie head coach.
"Would you think it'd be more likely that Deion Sanders would jump to the NFL and take a job with a team like the Dallas Cowboys or leave for a bigger job in College Football somewhere else?" @mikegolicjr
"Deion's staying in college … I think he's trying to help the young… pic.twitter.com/Cp7XA3cHHt
— GoJo and Golic (@GoJoandGolic) November 20, 2024
GoJo noted how First Take has long pushed for this scenario, jokingly congratulating the show and its producers now that the idea is gaining traction. He called the potential pairing of Coach Prime and the Cowboys a sports media nirvana but admitted he doesn’t see it happening anytime soon. He then posed the question to Senior: Is it more likely that Deion Sanders will make the leap to the NFL to coach a team like the Cowboys or that he will leave Colorado for a higher-profile college football program? Senior expressed skepticism about Deion heading to the NFL, disagreeing with Riddick’s claim that the league needs him. Instead, he believes Coach Prime is a better fit for college football, describing his coaching style as “preachy” but in a positive way, as someone who can mentor and mold young players. He noted that such an approach doesn’t translate as well to the NFL, where athletes are grown men, and the dynamic between coaches and players differs.
.@golic says forget Dallas & the pros — college & Colorado is PERFECT for Coach Prime as he continues to build the Buffs in the Big 12.
"I think college is perfect for him to mold the players. What's a bigger job?… look what he's building. He's getting recruits. He’s got that… pic.twitter.com/faQ7x7Z5CO
— DraftKings Network (@DKNetwork) November 20, 2024
Senior also pointed out the challenge great players often face when coaching at the highest level — dealing with frustration when others can’t play to their lofty standards. For him, college football provides the perfect environment for Sanders to thrive and make a meaningful impact. As for the possibility of Sanders leaving Colorado for another college program, Senior asked, “What’s a bigger job?” He praised what Sanders is building at Colorado, highlighting his success in recruiting top talent. With a potential for a Big 12 championship appearance on the horizon, that could be impactful in recruiting for the Buffaloes. Senior emphasized that staying at Colorado allows Sanders to continue his momentum, rather than starting over at another school, even if it has a more prominent brand.
GoJo acknowledged that Deion addressed the NFL rumors during a recent press conference, saying he’s happy where he’s at and that the kickstand is down. While Sanders didn’t completely shut the door, his response suggested he’s committed to staying in Colorado for now. But, as a hyper-competitive person, GoJo says the challenge of coaching in the NFL could appeal to Prime. He praised Sanders’ ability to adapt, pointing out how he successfully transitioned from Jackson State to Colorado, navigating the demands of FBS football. So it’s not inconceivable that Prime could find a way to excel at a level he reached in his own playing career.
But is coaching at the NFL a goal of Deion’s? Senior expressed skepticism about Coach Prime making the jump to the NFL, agreeing with GoJo that Sanders could likely adjust and perform well but emphasizing the difficulty of the transition. He compared it to the significant leap players face moving from college to the pros, noting that the jump is even more substantial for coaches. Senior pointed out that it’s rare to see college coaches find consistent success in the NFL, making the move a considerable challenge.
Although the guys are not convinced that Coach Prime will make the move to the NFL, Jessie Coffield encouraged them to play along with the scenario of him leaving for the Cowboys if they got the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft and found themselves in a place to select Shedeur Sanders. Deion’s old teammate Michael Irvin thinks that very scenario could materialize and has very good sources to confirm that. Senior COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN the idea of Shedeur being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, given they just signed their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott to a new contract extension.
GoJo highlighted several factors in the Deion Sanders-to-NFL discussion, starting with whether Coach Prime might leverage his candidacy to benefit players like his son, Shedeur, or Travis Hunter. However, he emphasized the unique “Jerry Jones factor” in all of this. GoJo noted that Deion Sanders is a larger-than-life personality, bringing a level of attention and star power unlike any other NFL coaching candidate. This kind of presence isn’t a fit for every franchise, but under Jerry Jones, Dallas thrives on the spectacle and could embrace it. GoJo speculated that Jones’ hiring of Deion could serve as a bold move to deflect from recent issues within the Cowboys organization. Given Sanders’ success, iconic status among players, and the media frenzy he generates, GoJo sees this as a scenario tailor-made for Jerry Jones’ love of the spotlight, making it hard to completely dismiss the possibility.
"[Deion Sanders' star power] is abnormal. That's not for every franchise, but the Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones are different enough and love the circus.
Jerry Jones would also look and say, 'You know what would throw everyone off the scent of all the bad? What if I hired Deion… pic.twitter.com/FMn5PMCaLb
— GoJo and Golic (@GoJoandGolic) November 20, 2024
Senior once again dismissed the idea of Shedeur joining the Cowboys as their quarterback. The logistics of such a move, including trading Dak’s contract, make it highly unrealistic. While he admitted the spectacle of hiring Deion might tempt Jerry, Senior emphasized that the Cowboys are already a media circus in their own right. However, he conceded that adding Coach Prime would only amplify the attention, aligning perfectly with Jerry’s flair for the dramatic.
Watch or listen to the full show below and tune into GoJo and Golic weekday mornings from 8-10 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Hour 1: Jets Fire GM and Aaron Rodgers May Be Next, Sixers’ Drama Between Embiid/Maxey + Indiana Football’s CFP Bid
VIDEO
Watch GoJo and Golic every weekday on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Xumo Play, Google TV and DraftKingsNetwork.com from 8 to 10 a.m. ET. The show is also available via audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow Mike Golic Sr. on X at @golic and Mike Golic Jr. on X at @mikegolicjr.
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