When Deion Sanders left Jackson State to become the head coach at Colorado, the Pro Football Hall of Famer assembled an elite coaching staff.
He took many of the coaches that were with him at JSU, and even added some who weren’t. One of those he brought to Boulder is Vincent Dancy, the former head coach at Mississippi Valley State. Dancy and Sanders built a close relationship over Coach Prime’s three years at Jackson State, and he wanted to give Dancy a chance to continue to pursue his coaching dreams on a bigger platform.
For Dancy it was a no-brainer to step down as head coach at MVSU, the school with the lowest budget amongst football-playing Division I programs and join Coach Prime at the Power Five Pac-12 school.
Recently, Dancy sat down with Deion Sanders Jr. of Well Off Media, to discuss how it’s been going from running his own program to now being an assistant under Sanders.
“You don’t have to be the main guy to learn and get better. At the end of the day it’s all about the opportunity or the situation. Any situation or opportunity can help you grow and become the man again. But learning to adapt to the two, the three — I don’t mind. I’ve been at that level. I’ve been a head coach at that level. Right now, I think it’s a better opportunity for me, one day, when I’m like 50 years old — to be a head coach again and just get under some great coaches and learn from the best.”
Who Is Colorado Assistant Coach Vincent Dancy?
Dancy went 9-38 in four seasons as the head coach at Mississippi Valley State. He’s a graduate of Jackson State, where he played linebacker, so he’s SWAC through and through. Now he’s onto an opportunity he just couldn’t pass up.
Mississippi Valley State University Head Coach Vincent Dancy has resigned will join Coach Sanders Staff at Colorado
Courtesy: Blake Levine WJTV Sports Director pic.twitter.com/GncIwRvoYm— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) December 8, 2022
Dancy Will Be A Defensive Analyst For Buffaloes
While Dancy’s isn’t in an on-field position, he’s very vital to the success of the program. Being a defensive analyst means he’ll be involved heavy in the game planning weekly with defensive coordinator Charles Kelly.
That will allow Dancy to learn some of the nuances of that side of the ball at the Power Five level. And it also means he’s first in line to get an on-field position when one becomes available. Dancy told Sanders Jr. he’s content and excited about the opportunity.
“It’s just about playing your part and doing what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it,” Dancy said. “It’s not about being the man or being at the top. I know some people at the end of the day want to be the guy — until you be the guy. Now you’re hit with all the problems, and you’ve got to answer every call and adjust and make sure it’s taken care of.”
Dancy doesn’t have to recruit anymore, with that being something analysts aren’t permitted to do. Which in essence isn’t a bad thing, and it will allow him to sharpen his skills for a bigger role going forward.
Dancy’s New Job A Steppingstone, Not Demotion
Some may look at it as a demotion. It’s not. Maryland head coach Mike Locksley and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian were once analysts under Nick Saban at Alabama as a way to get back into the head coaching ranks. That position led them to offensive coordinator roles at Alabama before becoming head coaches again.
Moving on is never easy, but, as Dancy stated, it was necessary and what was best for him. He’ll do well with Coach Prime because he’s willing to learn and get better.
“It was fun, don’t get me wrong, I learned a lot,” he told Sanders Jr.
But right now it’s a different chapter in my life and I look forward to working with Coach Prime and making sure that Colorado gets the best of me.”
The Prime Coaching Staff: Why Vincent Dancy Followed Deion Sanders to Colorado#HBCU @HBCULegends @DeionSanders #SWAC @KTMOZEhttps://t.co/ZMcsNlCVsZ
— HBCU Legends (@hbculegends) December 11, 2022
Deion Sanders‘ Recruiting Genius
Deion and the Buffaloes just finished junior day, where over 35 recruits descended on Boulder, including four five-star and 17 four-star recruits.
On Wednesday, five-star recruit Cormani McClain, the nation’s top cornerback and the No. 14 overall recruit is expected to put pen to paper and sign his national letter of intent on national signing day.
Does Coach Prime have another surprise up his sleeve? Stay tuned.
With experienced leaders like Dancy playing key roles in the development of this new Colorado team, Sanders is in good shape.
