Deion Sanders expresses admiration for opposing coaches but, 'it's just not reciprocated'

Love isn’t a two-way street for Deion Sanders. On the latest “Buffaloes Primetime Radio Show” episode, the Colorado head coach broke down his unusual relationship with fellow collegiate coaches.

“I have an enormous amount of respect for all the other coaches. It’s just not reciprocated,” Sanders said. “Have you ever heard me say anything derogatory about a player or coach? Not even when I played I was known to be this talker. I don’t do that.”

As much controversy as Sanders stirs, it’s difficult to argue with his assertion. In Colorado’s Week 2 win over Nebraska, the Buffaloes didn’t beef with Nebraska until they felt like the Cornhuskers disrespected Folsom Field before the game.

In Week 3, Sanders stayed quiet until Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell criticized him for wearing sunglasses and a hat during interviews. In Week 4, Sanders had nothing but praise for Dan Lanning and Oregon until the Ducks’ head coach made derogatory claims about Colorado.

Deion Sanders’ respect for Lincoln Riley

Coach Prime has kept it cordial. However, if you snap at the coach, he’ll chomp back. Nonetheless, Sanders felt like he had to clear up the narrative on Thursday.

“Even when I played, you thought I did, but I’ve never talked to my opponents. I never [have]. I don’t believe in that, man,” Sanders said. “I just don’t, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of them, especially Lincoln Riley and some of these guys who have been consistently really good and have been consistent leaders; not only leading their teams to a multitude of victories, but leading these guys into the NFL. I have a tremendous amount of respect for them.”

Riley and USC are Colorado’s next test. Unlike the Buffaloes, the Trojans enter Week 5 still undefeated. The team is 4-0, boasting an average win margin of 35 points per game. The Trojans boast a powerhouse offense that averages 55 points per game, the most in the country.

While Colorado also boasts impressive statistics, they aren’t entering Saturday riding quite as high. Instead, the Buffaloes fell in a blowout 42-6 loss to Oregon last weekend, recording just 199 total yards of offense in the contest.

Despite the speed bump, Sanders believes his team is only improving as the season progresses.

“We’re still on a high,” Sanders said. “We’re not on a seesaw. We don’t go up with the weight coming down. We rock steady. We’re still on a natural high, still working out butts off to achieve perfection. We’re still loving what we’re doing, doing what we love. 

“We’re still who we are. Things just happen in life but we can’t stop. We got to continue to stop and move forward and move expeditiously and still walk our path.”

Deion will face off against the coach he respects so much at noon ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on FOX.