Deion Sanders admits he 'couldn't coach pro ball' after rumored Dallas Cowboys interest

In the NFL, there are very few jobs that hold the allure that the Dallas Cowboys job holds. Regardless of recent postseason success, it remains among the most prestigious jobs in the country and when rumors that Deion Sanders and Jerry Jones could team up to fill that job, there were more than a few excited fans.

As the search in Dallas was underway, several analysts advocated for the Cowboys bringing in Sanders. It was also reported that the two sides spoke about the job and that Sanders would “almost certainly accept” it if he was offered. However, the Cowboys ultimately hired from within, promoting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

Now, however, Sanders has shared that he doesn’t think he’d be able to coach NFL football, despite the rumors surrounding him and Dallas.

“That’s the way we practiced,” Deion Sanders said. “I know it’s cute but I couldn’t coach pro ball. The way they practice, the way they go about it, I couldn’t take it as a man and as a football enthusiast. I care about the game. The game is still providing for Troy and I. There’s no way I could allow that to happen on my watch. That would be tough.”

As a player, Deion Sanders remains legendary, largely for the success he had in Dallas. There, he was a Super Bowl champion and eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame selection. He would later get into coaching at the high school level and made the jump to college at Jackson State in 2020. By 2023, he was at Colorado where he has a 13-12 record in two seasons.

Given his pedigree and relationship with Dallas, there was plenty of excitement about Sanders as the Cowboys head coach. However, after the final decision came down, it was reported that he was never a truly serious candidate and just someone who the team had conversations with.

Still, even in the wake of the Brian Schottenheimer, another former Cowboy, Michael Irvin, argued that Deion Sanders should have gotten the job.

“We lost an opportunity here,” Irvin said. “I was pushing for Deion Sanders to be the next head coach. And I still stand ten toes down on that push.”

Instead of taking over in Dallas, Deion Sanders will remain at Colorado for at least another season. There, he will now lead the program without his sons Shedeur Sanders and Shilo Sanders, as well as Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Opportunities in the NFL will likely become available again in the future to Sanders.