COLLEGE

What does Colorado hiring Deion Sanders mean for the Pac-12?

Pete Martini
Salem Statesman Journal
Jackson State coach Deion Sanders is a splashy hire for Colorado.

Colorado made it official Saturday night and hired Deion Sanders as its new head football coach. 

This is a splashy hire that has implications for the Pac-12 as a whole, including Oregon State and Oregon. 

Known as “Primetime” during his playing days, Sanders likely will be a game changer on the recruiting trail. 

Sanders, who played college football at Florida State, spent 14 seasons as a defensive back in the NFL with Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington and Baltimore. 

He won Super Bowl championships with the 49ers and Cowboys and is considered by many to be the best cornerback in football history. 

Sanders finished with 22 total career touchdowns on defense, offense and special teams, including nine interceptions returned for touchdowns. 

Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. He has been a charismatic television personality in his post-playing career, including his time as an analyst on NFL Network and his Aflac commercials with Alabama football coach Nick Saban. 

Sanders brings a lot to the job

Deion Sanders played 14 NFL seasons for Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington and Baltimore.

Sanders brings something to the college recruiting trail that other Pac-12 coaches can’t, and despite his relative inexperience as a college head coach, other coaches in the conference will take him seriously as a recruiting foe. 

Sanders took over FCS Jackson State in 2020 as his first college coaching job. 

In three seasons, Sanders has a 27-5 overall record, including 12-0 this season. 

This is a huge hire for Colorado, which need a jump-start to its football program. 

The Buffaloes finished 1-11 this season, and tied for last in the Pac-12 with a 1-8 conference record. 

But as we’ve seen with USC and Washington this season, a program can quickly turn things around with the right head coach who can utilize the transfer portal. 

Sanders will bring a spark to the Pac-12, and he will challenge Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith and Oregon coach Dan Lanning in the all-important recruiting game. 

Let the fun begin.