After a serious health challenge earlier this year, Deion Sanders is preparing for his third season as the head coach of Colorado‘s football team. Warren Sapp, fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee and friend, recently visited Sanders after being unable to reach him by phone during his recovery from surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his bladder.
Sapp recalled, “I said, ‘You call buddy at the gate, because I’ll be at the front this afternoon,’ and the gate was open (…) I went to see him. I’m just that guy. I’m a bull in a china shop. I’m going through the front door.” Sapp added, “I just wanted to see my man and put my hands on him and hug him (…) I just wanted him to tell me, ‘I’m fine, I’ll be there.’ And that’s what he said: ‘I’m good.’ … I’m right back in front of him, and the jokes flowed, the stabs and the jabs. He’s still Prime, all day long.”
Sanders has faced multiple health issues since 2021 and has undergone 14 surgeries, including an amputation of two toes due to blood clots. Despite these setbacks, Sanders continues his duties leading Colorado’s football program.
“I had more surgeries out of the game than I did in the game,” Sanders commented.
Colorado opens its new season against Georgia Tech at Folsom Field as Sanders enters what he considers Phase 2 of his tenure with the Buffaloes. This will be his first season without coaching his sons Shedeur and Shilo on the field. After notable changes—including staff additions like Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees Sapp as defensive pass rush coordinator and Marshall Faulk as running backs coach—Sanders is aiming for a shift toward more physical play at both lines of scrimmage.
“I’m a better man now than I was two years ago, because of things that God has allowed me to go through (…) So I’m a better man, which makes me a better coach,” Sanders said.
Medical professionals recently declared Sanders cured of cancer. However, lifestyle changes remain; he requires more frequent restroom use due to bladder reconstruction following surgery. A portable toilet has been installed near practice facilities for him.
“He showed me the [postsurgery] pictures (…) We are out of the dark,” said Sapp about Sanders’ recovery process.
Marshall Faulk highlighted Sanders’ continued energy since returning: “Every morning, he rises to the occasion (…) He’s out there at practice. He’s not just a lame-duck coach. Like, he’s out there, he’s fired up, whatever energy he has, he’s giving it. There’s no difference in him before he had the surgery, to now. There’s been no falloff (…)” Faulk continued: “It’s literally amazing (…) It’s divine, in a sense. People are always listening to him praising the lord and [saying] God is good and this stuff. Then, to see the video, tubes hanging out of him… it’s like ‘Wait what?’ It’s crazy because it’s so hard to believe…”
Athletic director Rick George praised their contract negotiations: “We were both very thoughtful about what we wanted (…) [Sanders] wanted to know that he was going to be at Colorado for a while. He loves the city; he loves the state; he loves community; he loves university (…). I just think he’s in it for long haul.”
Joel Klatt offered perspective: “I don’t think that he has a desire to go to NFL because I think he has desire impact kids… If he’s healthy he’s going coach… Colorado is perfect for Deion just like Deion perfect for Colorado… They gave him keys castle (…). He can be completely himself…”
Sapp emphasized why he joined Sanders’ staff: “Nobody was pulling me off my couch but Deion.”
Faulk explained why chose Colorado: “I say this in nicest way: I’m not regular dude (…). If I’m going work somebody or coach under somebody it’s got somebody.”
Faulk’s focus will be teaching fundamental running back skills: “‘It hits as player just understanding coming from him (…) helps make game easier helps slow down helps us truly understand it,'” according Buffaloes running back DeKalon Taylor.
Amari McNeill spoke about having Sapp on staff: “‘I play 3-tech same as played (…) love having Coach Sapp around every day on my side… says ‘Don’t wait for no action Meet action’ Helps me play faster.'”
Sapp further outlined their philosophy shift: “‘He wants run it,’ (nodding Faulk), ‘I want stop run earn right rush… dominating LOS line scrimmage… That’s way game’s always going played.'”
Sanders described his expectations moving forward: “‘The next phase is we’re going win differently but we’re going win (…) We want be physical we want run heck out football.'”
Jordan Seaton shared thoughts on offensive adjustments: “‘It’s kind hard fool defense when you’re passing ball so many times game (…) So year we’re balance out keep everybody guessing.'”
Xavier Hill mentioned competition along offensive line:”‘It’s bunch high expectations (…) Everybody wants play everybody wants great … don’t have five we have ten.'”
Klatt concluded regarding overall team development:”‘I believe they’re going far better line scrimmage than last two years… program foundationally stronger than was two years ago…'”
Reflecting on coaching without family members present,Sanders admitted difficulties but reinforced commitment:”‘He’s building legacy here…’ Seaton said…’He started with kids got finish them but journey we’re new kids now so finish us.'”
Sanders summarized approaching challenges:”‘First challenge coming level Could we change game? We did.. Then can you consistently do players you have? Can win? We did Now can do without Travis Shedeur? Always challenge…I stand up those.'”
