Jason Whitlock says Deion Sanders is no Steve Fisher with his handling of criticism
Deion Sanders made waves during an August 9 press conference where he denied questions to two reporters and kept correcting others on their word choices.
Jason Whitlock believes that showing wasn't how men handle the media and said that Coach Prime doesn't stack up to former Michigan basketball coach Steve Fisher.
“In 1992, I moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan to cover the ‘Fab Five’ basketball team," Whitlock said (h/t FOX Sports). "Their head coach was a guy named Steve Fisher. He went on to become a very successful coach at San Diego State, and had success at Michigan. I used to shred this guy in the Ann Arbor news on a weekly basis. He never did this kind of cowardly stuff that Deion Sanders is doing. This isn’t what men do. I was brutal on Steve Fisher. Not out of any animus, but I didn’t think Steve Fisher had control of the ‘Fab Five’ team. I know they had some success, but it was all based on talent. They would get into big spots against disciplined, well-coached teams and they would get exposed. I remember I wrote a story about their stats and lack of success against Bobby Knight, Mike Krzyzewski, and Gene Keady. They would give them fits. Steve Fisher and I went at it for two solid years and he never pulled this kind of crap. Did he like me? No. Did he talk about me behind my back? Yes. This level of cowardice I just haven’t seen."
Deion Sanders admitted Colorado job has been toughest challenge of his career
Sanders admitted after the Week 12 Wazzu matchup last November that the 2023 Colorado Buffaloes season was the toughest time period of his life. He was going through a breakup with Tracey Edmonds and probably heard from his daughter Shelomi that she wasn't being treated right by JR Payne; causing her offseason transfer as she recently admitted. Those contributed to it, but so did Colorado's constant losses on the football field. Add in Shilo's legal troubles bubbling under the surface and you have a toxic cocktail of family-related stress.
Sanders never knew how to not be the best, and while he was able to dominate in the SWAC during his Division I debut coaching stint at Jackson State, Power 4 football is a different beast entirely, though.
It's clear the pressure is getting to him. Unfair accusations like cowardice are being thrown, but there are legitimate gripes to be had with how he's handling his second offseason in Boulder.
Do the work. Part of that for Sanders is speaking to the media. Grin and bear it. There will be more grace from CU's brain trust and the college football world by just putting his head down and getting to it.