Deion Sanders, known to many as “Coach Prime,” has been a guiding force for the Colorado Buffaloes and also a proud dad on the sidelines. His sons, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and safety Shilo Sanders, have played under his leadership at Colorado, but things are set to change next season.
Shedeur is projected as a potential top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, while Shilo, despite not being as high on the prospect radar, is also expected to get drafted, thanks to his talent and family legacy.
Next year, “Coach Prime” will be navigating the team without his sons in the program. While this might be a bittersweet thought for some fathers, Deion is eager to embrace the opportunity to concentrate solely on his role as head coach.
“I love it because I only have to wear one hat, and you don’t understand how much I appreciate that,” Sanders shared in a recent media interaction (via On3). “Being both a dad and a coach means juggling two roles. You pour everything into coaching, yet naturally, your focus drifts towards ensuring your kids are doing well.”
He added, “I’ve embraced other players on the team as my own, and I care deeply about them, but having your own kids there is a unique experience. It’s a different focus when they’re around. However, I am genuinely embracing this new phase. I really am.”
Over the years, Sanders has almost seemed untouchable in the sports realm, radiating an aura of hype and success, but his recent comments showcase a side many can relate to. If you’ve ever coached a team with your own child on it, or played on a team led by a parent, you understand the balancing act between family and the collective good of the team. Sometimes, parents tend to be stricter with their own kids, inadvertently creating a distinct dynamic compared to other team members.
It’s genuinely refreshing to see that Sanders, despite his high profile, recognizes this challenge. It’ll be interesting to watch him steer the Colorado Buffaloes without his sons this upcoming season. So far, over two seasons, he holds a 13-12 record with the team.
