Next stop, Dallas? Deion Sanders may be on the verge of a pivotal moment in his coaching career.
The head coach of Colorado has surfaced as a frontrunner for the head coaching position with the Dallas Cowboys. Following reports on Monday that Dallas owner Jerry Jones had discussions with Sanders regarding the role, the coach acknowledged that those talks occurred. He described the opportunity as “intriguing,” yet he remains committed to his current responsibilities at Colorado.
Sanders has a rich history with the Cowboys, having spent five seasons there during his illustrious Hall of Fame career. His time in Dallas included winning a Super Bowl and earning four Pro Bowl selections.
Now, 26 years after leaving the franchise, Sanders finds himself in a position to potentially return. Below is a detailed overview of his coaching journey and how he has positioned himself as a candidate for the Cowboys’ head coaching role.
2012-20: High School Coach
Before making his mark in college football, Sanders dedicated several years to coaching at the high school level. He was the head coach at Prime Prep Academy, a school he established in Texas, for two seasons (2012-13) and later took the reins at Triple A Academy (2015-16) for another two years.
After his head coaching stints, he transitioned to the role of offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian High School in Texas. This position allowed him to coach his sons, Shedeur and Shilo. Under his leadership, Trinity Christian achieved remarkable success, boasting a record of 42-3 and winning three Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) championships.
Both Shedeur and Shilo developed into three-star recruits while playing for their father, further establishing Sanders as a viable candidate for college coaching opportunities.
2020: Sanders Becomes Jackson State’s Head Coach
Sanders expressed a desire to coach his alma mater, Florida State, when a head coaching vacancy arose. Although he secured an interview, the Seminoles ultimately chose Mike Norvell for the position. Still, Florida State’s athletic director, David Coburn, was left impressed by Sanders during the interview process.
“That was the most impressive presentation of all the coaches we talked to,” said Mickey Andrews, a mentor of Sanders, in a conversation with The Athletic. “It’s just that he doesn’t have his degree and he’s never been a head coach. A lot of people would agree that he would be great for the job, but he doesn’t have the primary things you’ve got to have. I just don’t think I could sell it to all our alumni.”
Despite not landing the job, Sanders laid the groundwork for his coaching career. Less than a year later, in September 2020, Jackson State hired him as head coach after parting ways with John Hendricks. With the season delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanders was able to finish the 2020 season at Trinity Christian.
“Why not? Isn’t this the time?” Sanders remarked when asked about his motivation to coach college football. “Isn’t this the moment? Isn’t this what’s needed? To match what our President eloquently said, it’s a match made in heaven. This is a God move.”
Deion Sanders revitalized Jackson State in his inaugural college coaching role.
2021: Sanders Quickly Turns Around Jackson State
Following a 4-8 record for Jackson State in 2019, Sanders led the team to a winning record in the unique spring 2021 season, finishing 4-3. The Tigers won their first three games before facing a three-game losing streak, ultimately winning their season finale against Alcorn State due to a forfeit.
The following season marked a significant elevation for the program. With Shedeur Sanders stepping in as quarterback as a freshman, the Tigers achieved a remarkable 10-1 record in the regular season. This success earned Jackson State a spot in the SWAC Championship Game, where they triumphed over Prairie View A&M, 27-10. They advanced to the Celebration Bowl but faced a loss against South Carolina State, 27-10.
As Jackson State concluded the year with an 11-2 record, Shedeur emerged as one of the top players in the FCS, throwing for 3,231 yards, 30 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, earning the Jerry Rice Award for the best freshman in the FCS.
Dec. 2021: Sanders Secures Commitment from Travis Hunter
One of Sanders’ most significant achievements at Jackson State occurred off the field. On early signing day in December 2021, Travis Hunter flipped his commitment from Florida State to Jackson State. This pivotal moment not only marked the first time a five-star recruit signed with an FCS or HBCU school but also demonstrated Sanders’ ability to attract top talent.
Hunter’s decision lent credibility to Sanders’ vision for the program, being recognized as one of the most surprising recruiting flips in recent memory. This move set the stage for even greater achievements in the following year.
2022: Sanders Continues On-Field Success at Jackson State
After securing Hunter and several players from Power 5 programs eager to showcase their skills in the NFL, Sanders guided Jackson State to another impressive season in 2022. The Tigers completed the regular season undefeated, finishing 11-0 and reaching the SWAC Championship Game for the second consecutive year. They defeated Southern in that game, 43-24, winning nearly every game that season by at least two scores.
Dec. 2022: Colorado Hires Sanders
Sanders’ success made him a sought-after coach at the FBS level, attracting interest from multiple schools before he ultimately chose Colorado.
“There were a number of highly qualified and impressive candidates interested in becoming the next head football coach at Colorado, but none of them had the pedigree, the knowledge, and the ability to connect with student-athletes like Deion Sanders,” remarked Colorado athletic director Rick George. “Not only will Coach Prime energize our fanbase, I’m confident that he will lead our program back to national prominence while guiding a team of high quality and character.”
Upon taking over a Buffaloes program that had struggled significantly, Sanders faced the challenge of revitalizing a team that had gone 1-11 the previous year and had only experienced one winning season since 2005.
Immediately after his introduction as head coach, Sanders made headlines with a direct message to his Colorado team.
By the end of spring ball, 53 players had departed Colorado. However, Sanders utilized the transfer portal to recruit nearly as many new players, including his sons Shedeur and Shilo, along with Hunter.
Deion Sanders transformed Boulder into a premier destination upon his arrival.
Sept. 2023: “Prime Time” Takes Over College Football
Sanders’ arrival in Boulder generated significant media attention for a program that had seen little success in recent years. The charismatic coach quickly made an impact, leading the Buffaloes to a 3-0 start with some thrilling victories.
In a stunning upset, Colorado defeated TCU, the previous season’s national runner-up. Both Shedeur Sanders and Hunter delivered standout performances, garnering early Heisman buzz. The following week, Colorado triumphed over rival Nebraska.
The excitement surrounding Sanders’ first year peaked in Week 3. Hosting Colorado State, an annual rivalry game, Colorado attracted major television coverage, even featuring on “60 Minutes.”
Despite being a ranked favorite, the Buffaloes needed overtime to secure a victory against their in-state rival, keeping the excitement alive for a bit longer.
Oct.-Nov. 2023: Colorado’s Season Fizzles Out
The initial three games represented the pinnacle of Sanders’ first season in Boulder. Unfortunately, Hunter suffered an injury during the Colorado State game, sidelining him for several weeks. Following that victory, Colorado faced a tough loss against Oregon, falling 42-6.
2024: Colorado Turns Around
After a disappointing conclusion to the 2023 season, Sanders once again utilized the transfer portal, bringing in 43 new players during the 2024 offseason. He also added 12 high school commits, securing five-star recruit Jordan Seaton as his most significant signing at Colorado to date.
However, the roster changes did not yield the same early-season success as the previous year. Colorado achieved a narrow win over North Dakota State but was then overwhelmed by Nebraska. Although they managed to defeat Colorado State, the team struggled to regain the attention they had garnered the year before.
Things began to shift in Week 4. Trailing Baylor for much of the game, Colorado managed to force overtime with a Hail Mary touchdown pass from Shedeur on the last play of regulation. In overtime, Hunter forced a fumble after Colorado scored, sealing a thrilling victory.
Colorado won five of its next six games, climbing as high as No. 16 in the CFP poll and controlling its own destiny in the Big 12 heading into the penultimate week of the regular season. However, an unexpected loss at Kansas dashed those aspirations.
Nonetheless, Colorado finished the season with a 9-3 record, earning a spot at 23rd in the final CFP poll, showcasing the remarkable turnaround Sanders achieved in just two seasons.
Deion Sanders, alongside his sons Shilo (L) and Shedeur (R), has made a lasting impact on Colorado’s football program.
Dec. 2024: Travis Hunter Wins the Heisman
As Colorado pursued a Big 12 title in 2024, Hunter solidified his status as the best player in college football, showcasing an extraordinary season. Sanders permitted Hunter to play a significant number of snaps on both offense and defense, leading to Hunter winning both the Bendarik and Biletnikoff Awards.
Shortly after these accolades, Hunter was named the Heisman winner for the 2024 season.
“I want to thank Coach Prime, Shedeur. Man, y’all changed my life forever,” Hunter expressed in his Heisman speech. “That one simple phone call, Shedeur, look where I’m at. Man, that’s crazy, bro. It’s crazy. I’m trying not to get emotional because I know our last game is coming up soon. But I’m thankful for both of y’all.
“Coach Prime, I’m going to whip you on that lake tomorrow or whenever we get the chance. But thank you, man. You changed my life forever. I’ve told you that multiple times. I really appreciate it.”
Jan. 2025: Jerry Jones and Sanders Discuss Cowboys Job
Sanders recently engaged in discussions with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones regarding the possibility of becoming the next head coach for Dallas, as reported by FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Sanders is anticipated to be a leading candidate for the position, with ongoing talks expected between him and Jones.
In a statement to ESPN, Sanders confirmed his conversation with Jones.
“To hear from Jerry Jones is truly delightful, and it’s intriguing,” Sanders told ESPN. “I love Jerry and believe in Jerry. After you hang up, and process it, and think about it, it’s intriguing. But I love Boulder and everything there is about our team, the coaches, our student body, and the community.”
