Has Deion Sanders peaked at Jackson State?
When the dust settles on this historic season, Sanders might be headed for a Power Five job. The third-year Jackson State head coach hasn’t been shy about letting it be known that he’d at least listen to the right offer. Coach Prime has reportedly already had several interviews last season.
And it’s safe to say that accomplishing an undefeated season so soon, might also accelerate his departure from the HBCU school, as Sanders is reportedly in talks with Colorado and South Florida.
In an interview with “60 Minutes” last month, the Pro Football Hall of Famer said he wouldn’t deny another program the opportunity to shoot their shot.
“I’m gonna have to entertain it. Straight up. I’d be a fool not to.”
Would Deion Sanders Leave JSU?
Sanders has also mentioned on numerous occasions how he wants to take care of his coaches, who he says have outcoached and outworked their current assistant salaries. The reigning Eddie Robinson Award winner stated that reason in particular is why he’d consider leaving Jackson State.
As much as the HBCU world loves and needs Sanders, he’s already financially set from his playing days and building an historic sports brand, but his assistants don’t have that kind of financial security. Therefore, he’d consider the jump to a higher level of football. An institution with deep pockets looking to break bread on a big-name leader.
"What happens when a Power 5 school says: Give us a number — we'll make it work?'"@DeionSanders: "I'm gonna have to entertain it."
📹 @60Minutes pic.twitter.com/n8sn20SuJa
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 17, 2022
It’s well-known that Sanders has entertained other openings in the past, including the vacant TCU job while in the hospital recovering from toe surgery. Now it’s rumored that he’s speaking with Colorado, a Pac-12 program, and South Florida from the American Athletic Conference. Both programs are in complete disarray, boasting paltry records of 1-10. But both offer so much more from a recruiting and revenue standpoint than Sanders currently possesses at an HBCU.
Is Colorado Or South Florida The Better Fit For Deion Sanders?
While Colorado may not be an ideal fit for Sanders as pertains to recruiting, they have long Power Five dough. That makes them an attraction, and his assistants would fare very well monetarily. It also provides a bigger recruiting window. Although it isn’t his ideal stomping grounds, his success at Jackson State would eventually lead to players flocking to Boulder.
The South Florida Bulls are members of the AAC, and, no, they don’t have the long loot that the Buffaloes do, but they aren’t hurting for cash and have advantages. What they provide is the recruiting footprint that Sanders cherishes. And with conference standouts Cincinnati, UCF and Houston departing for the Big 12 by the 2023 season, it opens a door for Sanders to compete much quicker in that conference. Another step up the ladder. Coach Prime is already one of the best recruiters in the country. Imagine what kind of roster he could put together with ten times the resources.
Sanders Will Probably Hold Out For Better Offer
Even with all the entertaining and courting going on, the belief is Sanders can do better than either of these two schools if he were to actually leave Jackson anytime soon.
This is the juice we need at @CUBuffsFootball @DeionSanders 🦬 https://t.co/CCFuDxVd9A
— David Bakhtiari (@DavidBakhtiari) November 21, 2022
And while he may be in talks with these two programs, his focus is also on the SWAC championship game and punching his ticket to a return trip to the Celebration Bowl.
But if he wins both of those, what else is there for him to accomplish at Jackson State on the gridiron itself? That’s a question to ponder.
