Deion Sanders is focused on achieving success in all aspects as a coach, while the CU Buffs make their entrance into the Big 12. Will his team in 2024 show improvement?

Deion Sanders, the football coach from Colorado, made his way to the stage and left reporters scratching their heads, mistaking them for parishioners. “Good to see you. How are you all doing?” Sanders said from the Allegiant Field end zone stage. “I need more energy. This is horrible. If I was in church I would get up and walk out.”

Sanders remained stationary, fully embracing his moment in the spotlight on the second day of the Big 12 media carwash. Following acknowledgments to UCF coach Gus Malzahn, who recruited Shedeur Sanders as a high school sophomore, and Texas Tech boss Joey McGuire, who coached Deion Sanders Jr. in high school, Sanders presented statistics to refute criticism of his methods.

The NFL Hall of Fame player has been seen as primarily focused on the transfer portal for building his first two rosters. His dominance in this area is undeniable, but Sanders has emphasized that the program extends beyond that. "For those of you who say it's only about the portal, we signed 17 high school players and 13 played last year. When we sign players, we want them to play. We had a total of 20 freshmen play, including seven walk-ons," Sanders stated on Wednesday. "In 2024, we achieved the second-highest football GPA ever. In 2023, we had the highest GPA." Sanders emphasized that these achievements are AP — After Prime. The Big 12 has welcomed his arrival, with president Brett Yormark describing him as a "positive disruptor," someone who "stirs the pot" and creates creative friction. Sanders is determined not to let tradition hinder progress.

“I am a big Deion fan going back to his playing days. The exposure he has given our conference is excellent,” Malzahn said. “And he does it his own way.” Added Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, “He kind of took coaching as his personality. He’s built his brand that way. That’s who he is.”

Sanders has had a significant economic influence on CU and the city of Boulder, but the primary objective now is to secure a victory. The Buffs struggled in the last nine games of the previous season, losing eight of them, and the media predicted that CU would place 11th in the newly expanded 16-team conference.

“I am judged differently. There is a greater scope, and I can’t win nine games and have our GPA suffer. And we can’t have a high GPA and lose another eight games,” Sanders said. “We have to win in every area.”

Sanders is confident in the Buffs' improvement due to the presence of potential All-Americans Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, as well as the new additions of defensive coordinator Robert Livingston and offensive play-caller Pat Shurmur. Additionally, the team has acquired bigger bodies in the trenches. These factors align with Sanders' vision for the team to be "smart, tough, fast, disciplined, and play with character," showcasing his optimism for the team's future.

“I am (optimistic) when I see the offensive line training, the way they are working and going about their job. And I see the defensive line coaches on their kids and the way they are demanding excellence. And I see the wide receivers staying after practice to work with the quarterback, and I see the running backs working,” Sanders said. “I plan on winning and getting there, and I am not getting there alone.”’

Sanders concluded his media availability with an afternoon session. He appears to be at ease in his new conference, stating that the coaches have been "kind, supportive, outside the box. And I am not used to that. I am used to the hate." Will their feelings change if the Buffs begin to defeat them, restoring the program to the glory of the 1990s? Sanders spoke as if he has no plans to leave the conference anytime soon, given his compatibility with it and the new president.

“(Yormark) is a boss. He is awesome. He is a forward thinker, a guy that gets it done. He doesn’t talk about it. He is about it,” Sanders said. “I am glad to partner with him on what we are doing. I am glad that (athletic director) Rick (George) did his research and put us in the best place he could possibly place us as a school. You guys are thinking only football, but I am thinking other sports as well that are going to benefit from this transition. I am happy we are in the Big 12.”