Deion Sanders says ‘forget analytics’ on coaching decisions

In his second season at the helm, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has been making all the right moves after leading the Buffaloes to their fifth win of the season following an impressive 34-7 win over Arizona.

Analytics have been become a strong point of emphasis for some head coaches at all levels in today’s game, particularly in regards to going for it on fourth down. But not Sanders, which he made clear in a recent press conference when asked about the numbers.

“Who is the guy named analytics?” Sanders asked getting a laugh from the media. “I’ve never met him, I’ve never seen him, I don’t know what he looks like, is he a winner? Is he wealthy? Is he broke? Who is he? I don’t know what he looks like. You got to know your team, forget analytics man. You got to know your team and what they’re capable of.”

Coaches are relying on data in fourth-down situations more than ever before, going for it in their own territory and beyond 4th & short situations. Decisions that Sanders will make with the least amount of numbers used possible. Even using the assistance of a marker when determining whether or not to attempt a field goal.

“Sometimes it’s just self explanatory. I wasn’t a math major in college, but I was pretty smart, but I’m not gonna sit there and do mathematics on the sideline. So when you see a flag on our sideline, that means we get the ball right there, (Alejandro) Mata can kick it from there. That’s what that means to me,” Sanders explained. “I ain’t got time to be adding 40 plus seven plus two. I ain’t got time for that man.”

“So if we hadn’t got to that flag, we’re probably gonna go for it because punting, what does that do? It? Give you an extra 15 yards? That’s stupid, gives you an extra 20 yards? That don’t make sense.”

Not including a late game kneel on fourth down, the Buffaloes were 1-2 on fourth downs this Saturday with 4th & 10 conversion and a failed 4th & 3 attempt (both in Arizona territory). These are decisions that are a lot easier to make given the team’s personnel according to Sanders, whose team has converted 35.7% of its fourth downs this season.

“So especially with the quarterback we have and the offensive skill set that we have, sometimes we go for it. Sometimes no, I don’t like the momentum, I don’t like the feel, I don’t like the conversation I just heard. I don’t like it, let’s get out of it, let’s punt the ball,” Sanders said.

“We had a call last week, it was a zero coverage and I see our strong safety on their best receiver. Time out, time out. See, you guys don’t hear all that and see all that stuff. Like, hey I don’t like that, I know what’s about to happen right here. It’s a feeling and it’s on me, when we succeed, everyone else gets the credit for it, but when we fail, I don’t mind taking it because it’s on me.”

It’s clear Sanders will continue leaning on his experience and feel for the game when making in-game decisions, as he leads the Buffaloes in a home matchup this weekend against Cincinnati.