Coach Prime bypasses outdated recruiting norms, trading traditional home visits for an exclusive team-bonding retreat at his Texas compound to sharpen the Buffaloes’ edge and modern culture.
Deion Sanders hasn't been shy about being non-traditional. The Colorado Buffaloes coach has created his own path during his time in Boulder, leading others to rethink what's possible in the modern era.
What some coaches wouldn't do, Coach Prime isn't afraid to try. When he came to Colorado, there was an emphasis on recruiting by using the transfer portal. Many of Sanders' peers saw this as being a negative for the sport. Fast-forward four years later and several Power Four teams have adopted Sanders' philosophy to build a roster.
Being one of the first to embrace the portal for what it was has kept Colorado competitive during the course of Sanders' tenure. It's no different from rejecting the idea that recruiting visits have to happen at homes or in high schools. Sanders was one of the first to stop hitting the road in hopes of pulling in a recruit. The program will host prep players on campus to sell the idea of being in Boulder with the backdrop of the Flatirons.
Another way Coach Prime has tried to put college football back on the map and evolve is the joint practice idea. Just like the NFL, college teams would be able to hold joint practice sessions with a scrimmage in place of a spring game. Sanders proposed the idea with Syracuse's Fran Brown, but the NCAA denied it. Sanders has been good about breathing new life into outdated ideas with a pro-style approach.
Outside of football, Sanders took a group of Buffs players to his Texas compound for a Prime retreat. This was to promote team bonding, but also another way the Hall of Famer turned coach has put himself ahead of the rest. No other college football coach could bring his players together like this. The CU traditionalists will question why the entire function was decked out in red. As the late Bill McCartney once said, "I'd rather be dead than red," Sanders doesn't feel the same way.
Nonetheless, Sanders is trying another outside-the-box idea with the resources he's been given. Also, this is an outstanding recruiting pitch for those who might be watching from afar.
Sanders will be taking six players with him to Big 12 Media Days next week in Frisco, Texas. He'll be joined by quarterback Julian Lewis, wide receiver Danny Scudero, tight end Zach Atkins and defensive backs Ben Finneseth, Naeten Mitchell and Cree Thomas. The two-day event starts on Tuesday, July 7.
More Colorado Buffaloes News:
