Deion Sanders is the new standard for big-name novice college football coaches. Rivals' Adam Friedman linked Coach Prime's recruiting philosophy to first-year UNC head coach Bill Belichick's.
"Bill Belichick out on the road visiting high schools on day one. Deion Sanders hasn't visited a high school in 5+ seasons. It will be interesting to compare these different recruiting philosophies as time goes on," said Friedman.
Sanders has explained why he doesn't do recruiting visits: he's not trying to cause problems amongst coaches who don't get a visit from Coach Prime.
“My approach is totally different than many coaches. I’m a businessman, as well so I try to save our university money every darn chance I get," Sanders said, per The Spun. "So, for me to go, let’s say I go to Florida and I’m visiting whatever school — IMG, you don’t think those coaches are going to be a little upset if I don’t come by the school down the street? You don’t think it’s going to be pandemonium, or I’m gonna get naysayed if I don’t go another 45 minutes? Then, if I go to that one, why didn’t I come to that school? Now, the coach is mad and he’s not gonna let the kid come because I chose that school over that school. See, other coaches can do that, but I can’t. I can’t.”
Sanders is the only coach who'd ever get away with not visiting schools to recruit. As he's explained, his goal is to recruit 80% of his roster through the portal, and as such, doesn't need to do visits since upperclassmen and graduates know what they're looking for in their next school.
He's right. It oftentimes comes down to payment with players in the transfer portal. That works both ways, though. Coach Prime has lost his fair share of one-and-done's to the portal.
We'll see if Belichick follows suit and looks to build an instant winner every year or if he takes the slow build in Chapel Hill.