ESPN analyst on Deion Sanders coverage: ‘You feel a certain way’
College football has plenty of storylines involving some of the sport’s biggest programs. A critical offseason is ahead of a lot of folks but one is creating a different kind of buzz out west. The Colorado Buffaloes are being discussed alongside the likes of Georgia and Alabama — thanks to newly hired head coach Deion Sanders.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the Sanders move. A lot will enjoy what Coach Prime brings to the Power Five, while many are ready to count him out. Either way, college football fans, personnel, and media are going to be paying attention to Sanders’ first season in Boulder.
“With the exception of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and the usual suspects — the most information I am getting right now is about Colorado,” ESPN’s Greg McElroy said. “Why do you think that is? If you think it’s because they’re going to win the national championship, you’re wrong.
“No, it’s because everybody is interested. Deion Sanders is a polarizing figure. A lot of people want him to fail, a lot of people want to succeed.”
Love him or hate him, everybody will have a vested interest in Colorado next year. McElroy explains that is why there has been so much coverage of Colorado over the past month or so.
“Everyone feels differently about Deion Sanders becoming the head coach at Colorado,” McElroy said. “I don’t care how you feel. All I know is that you do feel. You feel a certain way. That’s why there is so much coverage about what’s going on with Deion and his team.”
Greg McElroy sets 2023 goals for Deion Sanders, Colorado
Quite frankly, Colorado was the worst Power Five football team a season ago. Sporting a 1-11 record, very few of their games were close and the program had reached a new all-time low. Sanders has come in and repaired a few things but McElroy is still wanting to keep expectations low.
If Colorado can somehow make a bowl game next year under Sanders, McElroy could call it a “phenomenal job.” Yes, there are some flashy names suiting up for the Buffaloes next year but as a whole, the roster still has a ton of holes.
“I’m not going to say Colorado is all of a sudden an eight, nine-win football team,” McElroy said. “I think if they get to a bowl game, that would be a phenomenal job well done for Deion and his staff. I do like the two coordinators he brought in. I think both offensively and defensively, they’re in a great position to succeed.”
Sean Lewis will serve as the offensive coordinator, while Charles Kelly is on the defensive end. The latter is another branch in the Nick Saban coaching tree and one of the best recruiters out there. Lewis was poached away from an FBS head coaching job with Toldeo.
Sanders finally has things being done the right way at Colorado and the media coverage shows that. But McElroy wants to pump the breaks on early success.