​Former Cowboy Deion Sanders broke barriers and set milestones as a standout in both professional football and baseball. Now he’s aiming to transform the Colorado football program into a powerhouse, guiding it in his signature “Prime Time” style. Here are ten lesser-known facts about the former Cowboys cornerback and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Full name: Deion Luwynn Sanders. Current role: Head football coach at Colorado. Previous roles: NFL cornerback from 1989 to 2000 and 2004 to 2005; MLB outfielder from 1989 to 1995, in 1997, and in 2001; high school football coach and offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2020; Jackson State head football coach from 2020 to 2022; Trinity Christian-Cedar Hill offensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020. Sanders was a standout in multiple sports, earning all-state honors in football, basketball, and baseball at North Fort Myers High School. In 1985, he was named to the Florida High School Association All-Century Team. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 1985 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals but did not sign. He played football (two-time All-American), baseball, and ran track at Florida State, and he was the fifth overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He currently works as an analyst for CBS Sports and the NFL Network.
Known as Coach Prime, Sanders officially stepped into the top tier of college football on December 3, 2022, when he was announced as Colorado’s 28th head coach. During his time at Jackson State, he captured two consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference titles and posted a 27-6 record over three seasons. In his inaugural year at Colorado, the Buffaloes finished 4–8, with a 1–8 mark in conference play. The program showed significant improvement in 2024, propelled by future first-round pick Travis Hunter and Sanders’ son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, ending the season 9–4 and climbing higher in the Big 12 standings than the program had since 2005.
The 2025 season promises to be intriguing for Colorado and Coach Prime, especially as the team moves beyond Hunter and Shedeur. At one point, Sanders emerged as a potential candidate to become the next Dallas Cowboys head coach after the club parted ways with Mike McCarthy in early 2025. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke with Sanders in January, a sign that Jones was testing the waters of Sanders’ interest. Ultimately, Prime remained with the Buffaloes. “After you hang up, and you process it, and think about it, it’s intriguing,” Sanders acknowledged at the time. “But I love Boulder and everything there is about our team, the coaches, our student body and the community.” Following that, the Cowboys chose Brian Schottenheimer, a decision that contrasted with the high-energy, outspoken persona of Coach Prime.
In recent years, Sanders has faced several health challenges, including a battle with bladder cancer. He announced the diagnosis in July 2025 after undergoing surgery and being declared “cured” by his oncologist. It has been a difficult but ultimately hopeful chapter in his life, underscoring his resilience both on and off the field.