Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, has continued to attract former National Football League greats to his coaching staff in Boulder. His most recent hires include Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp, adding considerable professional experience to the college program.
Faulk joined Sanders’ staff this offseason as the second Hall of Famer hired after Sapp. Together, they are part of a group that includes other National Football League veterans with extensive playing and coaching backgrounds. The presence of these high-profile figures has led some to observe that Colorado’s sideline resembles a gathering at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
When asked about the prospect of hiring additional Hall of Famers as coaches, Sanders addressed budget limitations in a lighthearted manner: “Well, Rick has that budget,” Sanders said with a grin, referring to Colorado athletic director Rick George. “And he says we’re out.”
While Sanders’ response drew laughter from those present, it also highlighted real financial considerations involved in assembling such a distinguished staff. Attracting coaches with significant National Football League pedigrees is costly and requires resources beyond what many college programs possess.
Colorado’s increased revenue streams—including record-setting Name, Image and Likeness deals for players and higher merchandise and ticket sales—have provided some flexibility for these ambitious hires. This financial growth may allow Colorado to maintain or expand its trend of hiring former National Football League stars.
Beyond Faulk and Sapp, Sanders’ staff features assistant offensive line coach Andre Gurode, defensive line coach Domata Peko, wide receivers coach Jason Phillips, and cornerbacks coach Kevin Mathis—all of whom have experience as players or coaches at the professional level. Most recently, Byron Leftwich—a former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback and Super Bowl–winning offensive coordinator—was added to the staff in an as-yet undefined role.
Sanders promotes this wealth of professional expertise as an asset for student-athletes choosing Colorado. According to him, “Coach Prime” is not just offering recruits a vision for their futures but giving them daily exposure to leaders who have succeeded at football’s highest level.
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