Deion Sanders made his first appearance at Big 12 Media Days, and it’s safe to say that he didn’t hold back.
When speaking to media on Wednesday in Las Vegas, the second-year University of Colorado head coach suggested his results aren’t as binary as wins and losses.
“I’m judged on a different scale,” Sanders said. “My wins are totally different than your wins.”
Sanders may be referring to the fact that, in only one year, he transformed Colorado from a perennial Power Five bottom-dweller into a must-watch event for several A-list celebrities.
Despite the initial hype — the Buffs began the Prime Era with aplomb at 3-0 — the team experienced a massive decline throughout its final nine games, going just 1-8.
The former Hall of Fame cornerback and baseball sensation always has been known to proudly display his bodacious personality, even since taking over the prominent coaching post.
In May, Sanders replied “Lawd Jesus” in response to the statline of a player who seemed to call out Colorado for not truly investing interest in Buffalo players.
Before that, Sanders anointed himself the best coach in college football during a September appearance on “60 Minutes.”
“Prime Time” carried that same bravado with him as a player, whether high-stepping into the end zone or walking out impromptu during pre-draft interviews with teams below his expected draft range.
Confidence is something that’s also part of the makeup of Sanders’ sons.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado’s starting quarterback and a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, also raised eyebrows with comments made on Tuesday.
In response to a question citing his dad’s aforementioned answer, Sanders seemed to relish a bigger spotlight for himself and his teammates.
“It’s been that since Day 1,” Sanders said about higher expectations. “I remember first media day when I was in HBCU [Jackson State]. I said, ‘We won’t lose a game.’ I’m undefeated in the SWAC, so I already know what the expectation comes with. I know we’re everybody’s Super Bowl.”
Despite the star power of Sanders and two-way sensation Travis Hunter, Colorado finished only 1-8 in conference play, ending the season last in the Pac-12 standings.
Entering 2024 with Sanders, Hunter and a revamped offensive line, the high-profile Buffaloes were prognosticated to end the year 11th out of 16 Big 12 teams in their first year back in the new conference.
One way or another, all eyes will be on Colorado in Sanders’ second season at the helm, which includes a guaranteed five games on national TV.
The school starts the year by hosting FCS powerhouse North Dakota State on Aug. 31 in primetime.