Deion Sanders explains why he would never be able to coach in the NFL

21 June 2023 , 11:13

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Deion Sanders is heading into his first season as head coach of the University of Colorado, and has stated he has no plans to leave college for the NFL (Image: Michael Ciaglo for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

NFL Hall of Famer and college coach Deion Sanders has effectively ruled himself out of a future move to the big league due to his style of coaching.

The legendary cornerback has stated that his 'old-school attributes' and his approach to coaching would likely not work on professional athletes - modelling his style around working with college kids who are eager to make the next step to the NFL.

Speaking to SI.com, Sanders said: "I don't have any desire or ambition to coach in the NFL. I have a problem with men getting their checks and not doing their jobs. I would be too tough as a coach in the NFL because I still have those old-school attributes. I am not an assistant coach. That is not me. I am a head coach."

Sanders has impressed as a head coach at the collegiate level over the last few seasons with Jackson State University. In his two years with the school, he took the football programme to their first conference title in 14 years, before winning again the following season.

JSU had a losing culture before Sanders arrived, who was quickly able to turn that around, while a number of collegiate stars transferred to the school to be coached by the former NFL great.

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And after having a number of offers this past off-season, Sanders chose to leave JSU to join one of the bigger Division One teams in the Pac-12, the Colorado Buffaloes.

Sanders believes his style would not work with professional athletes (AP)

A number of players have already transferred with him, including star quarterback Shedeur Sanders (Deion's son) with the school already letting go of 40 players ahead of the 2023 season.

Shedeur could be in line to be a first-round pick in the 2024 draft class if he continues to improve from his previous two seasons, having thrown 70 touchdowns to just 14 interceptions in that time - while also impressing in the off-season spring game.

However, he is unlikely to be drafted higher than two other prospects, with Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (UNC), as well as Quinn Ewers (Texas) and Michael Penix Jr (Washington), who are all seen as generational quarterbacks who will be available in the 2024 class.

Charlie Wilson