Deion Sanders: ‘I’m a pro guy’ vs. ‘college guy’ when it comes to coaching

Deion Sanders made sure to make something clear before he explained his preference for some NFL-esque coaching: He has no disrespect for other college coaches.

Some, the Colorado head coach even went so far to say, were to the status where he couldn’t even “hold some of their jocks,” though he did not specify who those coaches were. But it’s his preference to work with coaches who come from the NFL ranks or some place similar, and to style his coaching as such.

“I love pro football coaches,” Sanders said. “I mean college football coaches, I adore them. But I’m a pro guy. I like those pros. I really like those guys that came from that level. Because we kind of connect a little better. They kind of understand what I wanted, what I desire, how I think a lot better than at the collegiate level. A lot of college coaches, they’re wonderful coaches, phenomenal — I can’t hold some of their jocks — but some of them rely on scheme. Pros rely on man to consummate the scheme.”

Sanders elaborated on his final point, basically implying there are some college coaches that get too hung up on running their offense or defense and having players that fit to the scheme.

In the pros, Sanders explained, it’s more about assembling the best group of talent and coaching around their best abilities. That’s certainly something the Buffaloes have done under Sanders, namely allowing stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders feature heavily as Colorado has started 5-2.

“College coaches really rely on a lot of scheme some times that they brought over, let’s play this scheme. Nah, nah, you gotta get the men to buy into what you’re trying to — not sell them but place them in those responsibilities that they can handle it,” Sanders said. “And sometimes the collegiate level don’t do that. They just so bent over on what they bring to the table instead of understanding, you got a room full of guys that don’t do that. You may need to change a little bit and allow them to be who they are.”