CU AD Rick George feels he and Deion Sanders are on the same page -- and beyond that, George is hopeful Coach Prime will end his career coaching the Colorado football program beyond the quick-fix he has brought to Boulder in his year and a half so far.
“We hope that Coach Prime finishes his career here … he and I are on the same page … it’s not a short-term fix … I like the culture that he’s created," George said (h/t The Coloradoan's Scott Procter).
When it comes to Sanders finishing his career in Colorado, that's on him. As On3's Andy Staples explains, Coach Prime won't be fired from CU under nearly any circumstances.
“I get it. Every coach who takes over a team has to figure that out, but the question is, is Deion trying to win? Because Deion is not going to get fired,” Staples said on the latest episode of Andy Staples On3 (h/t On3's Steve Samra). “Like, he’s not on the — Billy Napier, Sam Pittman. Those are guys who are going to get fired if they don’t succeed. Deion’s not getting fired. Deion could go 1-10, 1-11. He won’t get fired. So he can build it however he wants to, he’s choosing to do it this way. … It’s the architect, for sure. I’ve watched enough buildings get built. I know what happens when you build them one way, I know what happens when you build them another way.
“So if this architect thinks he knows something that every other architect who ever existed doesn’t know, congratulations. But if he’s wrong..."
Deion Sanders looks likelier to stay with Colorado football amidst Buffs' winning streak
Beating Baylor in the fashion the Buffs did, and following that up with a decimation of UCF in Orlando, proved that Coach Prime knows what he's doing. A bowl game, Sanders' stated goal at the Black and Gold spring game, is well within reach.
Beyond that, Big 12 contention is attainable too. Things have changed very quickly this season, and it's all been positive for Colorado.
Coach Prime staying beyond this season feels likelier now. He won't leave for a program that'll give him less autonomy and he definitely won't be following Shedeur and/or Shilo to the pros. Even retirement feels like a waste of the culture he's built at Colorado.
Sanders could be here to stay. But nothing is 100% until it happens in this sport.