Deion Sanders has a decision to make. The University of Colorado offered the head football coach job to the Pro Football Hall of Famer. Sanders has his share of suitors between Colorado, South Florida, and Cincinnati. He could also decide to stay at Jackson State. So, what should he do?
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The South Florida Bulls have the clear edge by sitting in one of the most fertile football recruiting spots in south Florida. It is also an attractive destination in the transfer portal. Colorado typically only has a handful of top-500 recruits in the state. USF is setting itself up for a Power Five move in the future. The new-look AAC will still be one of the top six or seven conferences most years. With a UC playoff berth, a non-power five can make the playoffs.
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With an unexpected opening at Cincinnati, there is another option for Deion Sanders. With UC moving to the Big 12 and one year removed from the college football playoffs, it may make more sense to be a bearcat. There will be less of a rebuilding process with the Bearcats. Cincinnati went 9-3 this year. Or should he hold out until next year? There have been no reports that UC is interested in Sanders, but most fans and I think it would be a home run hire as Cincinnati is the best college football job remaining in this cycle.
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Colorado is in the Pac-12, and the conference has a rocky future that may stop Sanders. A Deion Sanders hiring could end up as one of the best hires of the century. Sanders has indicated his immediate focus is the game Saturday against Southern.
Colorado once was a national powerhouse but has lost its way with only two winning seasons since 2005. The Buffaloes finished 1-11 and fired their head coach. It would take a special kind of person to bring this program back to prominence, and Sanders might want to show the world he can do that. Sanders might be the best recruiter in the sport. He has flipped top players to come to Jackson State. Sanders has done it all in sports, including winning two Super Bowls and appearing in a World Series. He is a College Football Hall of Famer, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and now a successful coach with a 26-5 record.
Colorado needs to get the engine going at this point. Under Karl Dorrell, they could barely get the keys in the car. The offense was terrible and played with no energy. Deion Sanders is the perfect guy to bring that energy.
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Sander’s impact on Jackson State and HBCUs can’t be overstated. The school hosted “College Gameday” for the first time this season. As much as he has done for the Tigers, Sanders deserves a shot at the FBS level. The decision will be difficult, but when looking at the options, it’s even harder to think he won’t be successful wherever he goes. As he is proven repeatedly, chances are he will be a winner.