Deion Sanders Spars With Reporters Over Being 'Hard to Find'

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is famous for many things. One of which is his quotable one-liners. From ‘If you look good, you play good’ to ‘We coming’, almost anyone following Coach Prime and Colorado has heard several of these.

On Tuesday, he defended one of those sayings. Prime still believes he’s "not hard to find."

Denver Gazette writer Mark Kizla, who is rarely in attendance, asked if Sanders has ever paid money for people to not criticize him. This goes back to a comment Sanders made about people using his name for personal gain and wondering how successful the media would be if they could not use his name. It was a joke born of curiosity, according to Sanders.

The key aspect of the question was the use of Sanders’ name in general. He went on a rant about wanting his media personnel to be successful and “prosper,” while suggesting they should at least tell him when they plan to use his name. It’s difficult to write an article about the Buffaloes and not mention Coach Prime these days. However, that was a specific shot aimed at one person.

“At least say, "Hey, I’m writing about you,” Sanders said while looking directly at Buffs beat reporter Brian Howell. “You’re writing a whole book, and I’m putting you on the cover and your name. I don’t know how that happened.” He attempted to put the shoe on the other foot, claiming he would never write a book about 247Sports' Jack Carlough and not tell him. Many of us would believe Sanders would never write a book about Carlough, but that’s another story for another day.

Howell said without a microphone, “I tried to get to you.” Sanders bellowed, “I ain’t hard to find.” Howell resisted the accuracy of that statement. “No I’m not!” Sanders retorted. He then went on to act as if just because he’s on campus every day, that means he is accessible for interviews, information for a book or any number of other requests his media might want to make. We know that's not the truth. The media have known the game for some time now.

The truth of the matter is Deion Sanders “Ain’t hard to find” for recruits, coaches and players. He is anything but easy to find for those charged with covering the team. There is a possibility that Sanders is unaware of the varying degrees of his accessibility, but that would also be alarming.

He may think he ain’t hard to find, but that idea does not extend to his media who might want to interview him or get his perspective on a larger piece they are writing. Like most programs, there is a way to make certain requests. Virtually all requests I am at least aware of are never granted. Securing time with the coach is something that simply isn’t even asked for at this point. Several requests that fall below the head coach, like players or coordinators, are also not granted.

Coach Prime is going to run his program and how he wants. Everyone in that room is aware of that concept. No one in that room challenges that idea. No one in that room is trying to get him to run his program any differently. However, part of that is an understanding that certain requests will not be met with an affirmative answer. This is now year four under Prime and virtually everyone in that room understands access to the coach dynamic.

The media in that room are appreciative of his change towards the room. His answers and willingness to understand that the media is not hoping for his downfall are appreciated. Remembering the last time he talked to a reporter or challenged the premise of a question is now hard to recall. However, suggesting that he is easy to find for ‘us’ just because we know where he works is disingenuous at best.

The harsh truth is the coach-to-media dynamic did not need to be this way. The media have been viewed as the enemy since day one. More senior members in that room that had covered this team through the bad times were excited about the Prime era.

Outside his immediate family and long-standing die-hard Buffs fans, no one wanted him to be more successful than the people in that room. Suggesting that he is as easy to find for us as he is for players is a wild take for those in CU's press room.

Colorado faces Kansas State on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on TNT.