The health of Deion Sanders has made for one particularly compelling story in the college football world for the past six weeks.
Sanders has been in recovery from toe/foot surgery and missed three consecutive games during a crucial stretch in the Jackson State Tigers’ historical football season.
He returned to the sidelines on Saturday, Nov. 13, rolling strong in a wheelchair as his Tigers clinched the SWAC East title. Coach Prime was there to see his two sons make game-clinching plays as the Tigers rallied to beat rival Southern University on the road in an emotionally charged battle.
Amid his medical challenges, rumors swirled as reports surfaced that Texas Christian University was coming hard for Sanders, listing him as an “impressive” candidate for their vacant head football coach position. Information that Sanders interviewed for the job while in the hospital also leaked, making the possibility of a Sanders departure from Jackson State all too real.
The school said on Monday that Sanders is still a candidate, but their search has shifted to others.
Deion Sanders Addresses TCU Coaching Rumors
Sanders addressed the speculation on Monday, Nov. 15, during his SWAC Media Zoom session. Sanders was asked about his commitment to JSU with all the rumors regarding TCU spreading like wildfire. His response was pretty straightforward.
“You mean I was in a hospital bed for darn near a month? You mean that time? Think about what you just asked me. I was in a hospital bed trying to make sure I could come back period and you think I’m thinking about coaching at a college?”
TCU Isn’t The Only Team Interested In Coach Prime
TCU has a lot to offer Coach Prime if he was interested in the job. Sanders, a former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro cornerback, calls the Dallas-Fort Worth area “home.” He also coached high-level prep school football in the area. It’s a Power 5 school with more resources and a much deeper recruiting pool. Coach Prime is also a devout Christian who fits the mold of what a Christian school would be looking for in its search. But Sanders was quick to say Jackson State is also interested in his services — and he ain’t done.
“Well, TCU is not the only one interested in my services, Ashley Robinson is interested in my services and I’m finishing what I completed. Never believe rumors, especially when I’ve been in the hospital for darn near a month. So never just go out and believe what you hear my man.”
“Trust me, TCU and several others are not the only ones interested in what we do here at Jackson State. People are trying to figure out the formula, it ain’t no formula. It’s loving on these kids, challenging these kids, holding these kids accountable, making sure they maintain themselves to be smart, tough, fast and disciplined, that’s the secret, not everyone has this recipe.”
JSU Went Undefeated While Coach Prime Recovered
While Sanders was being nursed back to health, his team won all three games without him on the sidelines. In Saturday’s thrilling come-from-behind win over Southern to clinch the SWAC Eastern Division, Sanders was present, but in a wheelchair. It was probably a jarring site to many to see the indestructible, larger-than-life Hall of Famer looking mortal.
Star QB Shedeur Sanders went to see his dad in the hospital daily and said, “Dad I need you back, I need you back on the sidelines.” Sanders obliged, and JSU clinched its first SWAC East Division title in eight years.
Ever the philosopher, man of faith and believer in signs from above, Sanders who proudly wore No. 21 throughout his NFL career added:
“It’s no coincidence, just think about it, we scored 21 points which is a heck of a sign from the Lord to me. Shedeur did what he did, Shilo closed it out. If that wasn’t God having his hand around me and around us in that particular game then I don’t know what it was.”
Sanders Is Staying Put And HBCU Football Is The Beneficiary
With Sanders committed to “finishing what he started” at JSU, it’s a huge development for all of Black College Football and not just JSU. His charisma and presence alone bring the SWAC visibility to heights never seen before at the FCS level.
Not really sure what anyone thinks Sanders would say about any possible job opportunities when his JSU team is in the middle of a championship run. Prime doesn’t get down like that. He never says he didn’t interview with TCU, but admitting that would definitely cause unnecessary distractions as the Tigers’ attempt to win the university’s first SWAC chip since 2007.
For now, all is quiet on the JSU front. Coach Prime says his work is not done.
