In the above video Coach Deion Sanders meet his new team for the first time.
By Mona Austin
A change is coming to Colorado college football. . .
(The Slice): In his first team meeting with the University of Colorado football players on Sunday, Deion Sanders set high expectations, establishing that he is coming to make a change to the faltering program. The school announced the hire on Saturday, Dec. 3 in a statement.
"Deion Sanders' stature transcends sports, and his hiring elevates not only the football program but the university as a whole," said CU Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano. "I'm thankful Deion has chosen to join our Buffalo family and I applaud Rick George for a truly inspired choice. This is an exciting new chapter in the long, storied history of Colorado football and I look forward to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our students, supporters and fans to cheer on "Coach Prime" and our student-athletes next fall."
CU offered the legendary baller a deal just under $30 million ($29.5 million) in a 5-year contract. According to Sports Illustrated, Sanders' salary at Jackson State was $300,000 per year and his contract was due to end on Dec. 15, 2024. Opting for an early out on his agreemnt will likely require a buy-out eqaul to his salary. He will also receive an additional $5 million salary to recruit assistants.
Mr. Sanders, 55 explained in a Tweet on Dec. 6 that he is an asset the school in response to comments that the move is a blessing to him.
"I'm coming to restore, replace and re-energize," he said adding that some of the athletes will not make the cut.
Sanders, AKA "Coach Prime," brings "Black man magic" from HBCU Jackson State University in Mississippi where during his tenure, the team, city, and conference were transformed for the better. In fact, the "P-effect" is so well known that a top high school recruit is eyeing CU for the thougt of working ith the Superbowl adn World Series winner. The Boulder team is in for a cultural reset, not just an athlettic one. Wearing ear rings, for example, will be banned. that affect this off-field image.
In his approach to over-hauling, pruning comes first.
". . .We're going to try to make you quit," Sanders told his new team. "That's what our season is going to look like. I want ones that don't want to quit, that want to be here, who want to work, who want to win. … I don't want to get in the game and then find out I've got Jane, when all offseason I had Tarzan."
The second part of Coach Prime's strategy is exposure.
In addition to adjusting to tough talk and a tougher work ethic, players are going to have to get use to cameras. The use of social media is one of the ways he tracks progress. Having a well-known reputation for being a showman, he self-advertises training videos and highlighted key moments on social media intending to motivate players.
The videos are a literal means of putting the school, not only the players, in the spotliight. Using his celebrity to build stronger players could also benefit the athletes financially. College athletes are bow able to earn money for endorsements while they are still in school, known as NIL- Name, Image and Likeness payments. The cameraman, Deion Jr. who goes by the nickname "Bucky", told the team he will make them the most famous people "on the planet" but they must win.
Sanders revealed that his son, JSU quarterback Shedeur Sanders, will be the Buffaloes’ starting quarterback, if he earns the position
Coming off a domineering win over the Southern University Jaguars, scoring 43-24 in a SWAC title Sanders shared the news of his departure with the team the day before he went to Boulder for a press conference. He pl;ans to complete this season before transition to the mid-west he said.
Sanders will leave the Mississippi team with a superior record. They were 12-0 this season. Their overall record under Coach Prime was 27-5. This growth will be a part of the upcoming Amazon Prime docuseries on Sanders airing in December.
More importantly, leaving the legacy of a winning record is a reputational asset which holds residual benefits for the individuals and the Jackson State University community as a whole. In two years the interest in that ball team has drawn financial gains for in the City of Jackson as well that holds long-lasting impact. Historically, when it comes to the SWAC, there have been only two names that come to mind immediately, both institution located in Louisiana -- Grambling State University and Southern University. After receving the Sanders touch, Jackson State University is now a top-of-the-mind instiution.
The reaction to the sudden announcment of Coach Pruime's departur has been emotional
Many fans in the African American community are upset that Sanders left a Black college to work at a PWI (Predominantly White institution), particularly before his contract expired. The ink has barely dried on the offer from Colorado and he has already started linking his name to the school. Some fans were upset that he made promies to students that he is not keeping, while others feel it is wrong that he said coming to Jackson Stae was God-ordained and he is leaving mid-contract. Ulitmately, his critics acknowledge the good deed he committed but beleive the manner in which he is leaving was mishandled. Afterall, Coach Prime is pictured on the CU website wearing a Colorado Jersey and he committed to JSU players that he would finish the season. This, along with the high profil press is a clear indication that the transition to the Rocky Mountain area was in the works for an unknown amount of time.
An opinion piece consider how much successful Blacks have to sacrifice ifr Black institutions.
“I know that there is a variety of opinion and emotions surrounding his departure. Opinions and emotions that are wanted, but at the same time, I understand this is a moment for gratitude,” Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said.
Deion Sanders will coach his final game when Jackson State Tigers meets HBCU rivals, Texas Southern University on Dec.
DID COACH PRIME BETRAY JACKSON STATE?
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