November saw a surge of rumors surrounding Deion Sanders and him possibly leaving for the NFL to become head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. While Coach Prime has repeatedly reaffirmed that he wants to stay in Boulder, rumblings about him transferring are still alive.
His sons, Shilo and Shedeur, both athletes for the Buffaloes, will be taking their chance at the 2025 NFL Draft. However, this means Sanders has no immediate familiar ties left in Colorado, which is more fuel for the speculation.
Stephen A. Smith’s Interesting Point About Coach Prime Amid Rumors
Beyond the Cowboys, the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints have all parted ways with their head coaches and are scouring the market. And as it turns out, Ohio State might be in line for a head coach as well, per the speculation abound.
Even with the Buckeyes’ 10-2 record this season, which helped them make the College Football Playoff, their head coach, Ryan Day, has been the subject of fans’ ire after a 13-10 loss to Michigan, the fourth straight defeat in their rivalry.
Some are wondering whether Day could be on the hot seat, and the rumors have named a few candidates, including Mike Vrabel, who is also one of the top choices being eyed by the Bears.
In the mist of these rumors, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has raised an interesting point: Why is Sanders a better option for the program?
“Of course, you’re looking for production — ultimately, somebody that can get the job done,” Smith said. “It definitely always comes down to that. But if you can get the sizzle to be an allure, an attraction that’s gonna generate revenue for you, not just with the games, but just the mere mention of your name and what that brings. See, that’s where the Prime Times of the world come into play and that’s what’s gonna make him so attractive.
“… If you know now that he’s proven he can coach on this level and he can win football games, if you put him in a position where you know that it really just depends on his ability to recruit and he brings that sizzle, you’re thinking about he pays for himself. … He pays for himself because his popularity is so huge. That’s what you’re looking for if you’re Ohio State. Ryan Day does not do that for you.”
Stephen A. Smith makes the case for Ohio State to hire Deion Sanders as its next head coach.
"He brings that sizzle… he pays for himself because of his popularity. It's so huge. That's what you're looking for if you're Ohio State. Ryan Day doesn't do that for you." pic.twitter.com/XB4XPZewF4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 18, 2024
Meanwhile, an unnamed source also told ESPN: “He has a lot of leeway to go out and monetize himself off the field. You can’t watch football for 15 minutes and not see Deion.”
As for the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders often come up in conversations as an enticing place for Sanders. While first-year coach Antonio Pierce holds the position, the team did not have a good record this season (2-12). This, however, is part of a broader pattern, as the Raiders have gone through six different head coaches over the past decade without being able to find the right fit.
With Shedeur going No. 1 overall to the Raiders in PFN’s latest mock, there is a chance the coach could follow him if he gets the opportunity. And with the bright lights of Las Vegas and Sanders’ magnetic aura, it might lead to intriguing results.