3 Moves Deion Sanders can make to signal he's staying with Colorado football long-term
The "Prime Time" era in Boulder has felt like a fever dream. Colorado football is one of the most popular sports brands because Deion Sanders is coaching his sons in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, calling out the local media, former players, and opposing coaches who pick on him first.
All good things come to an end eventually, though. USA Today's Matt Hayes doesn't see Coach Prime as long for Colorado; projecting Deion to be gone when Shedeur gets drafted to the NFL in 2025.
"It's not hard to see where this ride ends," Hayes prefaced before saying, "Shedeur Sanders leaves for the NFL, and Deion rides off into the shadow of the Flatirons, a cratered program in his wake."
It'd be a sad day for CU when Sanders is no longer roaming the sidelines. But that doesn't have to be reality anytime soon.
Here are three moves Coach Prime can make to indicate he'll be sticking with Colorado long-term.
Keep his Colorado football coordinators for the rest of the season
CU's offense looked exactly like it needed to against North Dakota State. Shedeur was well-protected, took off when he needed to, and limited damage in the pocket from the incoming pass rush. The receivers were unguardable in man-to-man coverage. Sure, the RB room could've shown more promise, but Shedeur decided he wanted to take over, and that's what he did.
He seems to have the final say, after all.
The defense was a different story. Coverage wasn't great and linebackers not named LaVonta Bentley left plenty to be desired. Still, there was enough to build on, including a much better second half from the group.
Pat Shurmur and Robert Livingston are good options right now, but keeping them for more than a season, or at least the full duration of this fall, would show that the key decision-making roles on Sanders' staff aren't a revolving door.
Land more 2025 blue-chip recruits
Right now, Coach Prime has two blue-chip recruits for his 2025 class. One being an offensive lineman is a huge sign that this may turn around sooner than later, but two 4-stars aren't going to keep a program afloat alone.
Sanders is keeping his 40-40-20 recruiting strategy, but that doesn't mean he can't further beef up the 20 part of his formula. The running back position could use a lifeline this coming cycle.
Flip Julian Lewis or another blue-chip QB
Sanders has to find Shedeur's successor ASAP. After it seemed like the #WeWantJuJu movement would entice Julian Lewis to Boulder, his recruitment has slowed to a crawl as it pertains to a flip. The Carrollton star may be looking for proof of concept, and the incumbent school, USC, showed that more impressively in Week 1.
If Lewis isn't the guy, Coach Prime and Co. need to find the next QB Shedeur can anoint as his successor. Shedeur has already strongly endorsed Lewis, but he'll endorse whoever he needs to support the family business.