Deion Sanders rival could take over if Coach Prime leaves Colorado football

Even though Deion Sanders has said he would not be leaving the Colorado football program, having a backup plan for if/when Coach Prime is offered the highest-paying and most spotlighted roles in the sport is a prudent move.

Who would be a great fit to come in and run the Buffs, though? What may come as a surprise is that the perfect replacement for Sanders is someone both he and the Colorado fanbase have grown to have a healthy distaste for: Jay Norvell.

The current coach of Colorado State and former coach of Nevada became well-known for calling out Coach Prime before the 2023 Rocky Mountain Showdown.

“When I talk to grown-ups, I take my hat and my glasses off,” Norvell said in a jab at Sanders’s famous gameday attire.

Prior to the game Colorado football was heavily favored. Norvell, however, was able to make it a very competitive game; so much so that Buffs fans were sweating into double overtime. While being heavy underdogs before the game, Norvell’s Rams held the lead for the majority of the game.

If there was any doubt beforehand, Norvell proved that he was a big-game coach — making him the perfect candidate to replace Sanders if he does leave.

Jay Norvell has the confidence to be the man to follow up Coach Prime at Colorado football

To call out Coach Prime, one of the biggest names in the history of football, takes a lot of confidence. That confidence didn’t come from nowhere, though. Norvell has experience managing big-time quarterback talent like Carson Strong during his days at Nevada. Being able to manage big-time players is key when you want to recruit the best talent in the country.

If Sanders decides to leave Boulder for an even greater “Prime Time” spotlight, Norvell can come in and pick them up right where Deion left off. Norvell’s ability to get his teams to play hard even when being heavy underdogs is something the program would likely need in its first year in the Big 12; assuming Coach Prime takes a good number of his top recruits with him.

While no one wants Sanders to leave, you must always have backup plans in life because you never know what could happen at any time. Norvell is the perfect Plan B to the most spectacular Plan A Colorado has ever seen.