Jackson State Head Coach and NFL Hall-Of-Famer Deion Sanders is heading to the University of Colorado Boulder. The news comes on the heels a perfect season for the Tigers and a SWAC Championship appearance for the second year in a row. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Friday evening that Deion Sanders had been recruiting on-field staff and transfer portal players to Colorado during the days leading up to the SWAC Championship game against rival Southern University. CBS Sports reports that Sanders could make up to 5 million dollars per year with incentives that could increase his annual pay 40% if met.
A Jackson State staff member called this week to check in on a Colorado recruit’s commitment – and also asked for film to evaluate the prospect, a source tells ESPN. “They weren’t exactly hiding anything,” the source said. “It seemed like it was a done deal.” https://t.co/rfUITOXXmM
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 3, 2022
HBCU Fans around the nation were blindsided by the news that Sanders was leaving and that the news would come out hours before Jackson State’s SWAC Championship appearance. HBCU social media commenters assert that the move to Colorado further proves that Sanders only accepted the job at Jackson State to benefit himself and not contribute to upliftment of HBCU culture. However, there are several supporters of Deion Sander and his move, believing that he fulfilled his mission and promise to uplift and bring attention to HBCUs.
Whether Deion Sanders stays or goes, look at how he enabled this to become all about him.
He got the hopes and expectations of an HBCU and a Black city that have never had a fair shot.
They already support his every move but couldn’t even let it be about the game and players.
— Booker G. Washington (@TendentiousG) December 3, 2022
Unpopular opinion: The narrative that Deion Sanders brought a light to “all HBCUs” is overstated. Did he bring a spotlight to Jackson State & the SWAC? Definitely! But, he ain’t do a thing for SIAC & CIAA institutions 😂 Y’all gotta quit bro!
— Randall Barnes (@AuthorRandallB) December 3, 2022
If @DeionSanders chooses to take the @CUBuffsFootball head coaching job, be prepared for a lot of social media slander calling him a sellout and turning his back on Black people. And ALL OF IT will be BS.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) December 3, 2022
Deion Sanders situation is the exact problem with our culture. Ignore everything that man has done for 2.5 years. Brought millions to a struggling city, upgraded facilities, & national exposure. Now a threat of him leaving, it’s he ain’t for the hood. Silly mentality.
— Rafael Thomas (@CoachRT1988) December 3, 2022
Sanders assumed the duty as head coach of Jackson State University in September 2020. The Fall Season was canceled due to COVID-19 so he coached his first game against Edward Waters University in February 2021. Sanders has a 27-5 coaching record in 3 seasons with the Tigers. The Jackson State Tigers under Sander’s tenure is 3-2 in out-of-conferences games, losing to the Sun Belt’s University of Louisiana Monroe and MEAC Champion South Carolina State in 2021 but beating the Ohio Valley Conference’s Tennessee State University two straight years and Big South opponent Campbell this season.
The Tigers had a top-5 defense in FCS in the 2021 & 2022 seasons, holding teams 14.7 PPG in the 2021 season and 10 PPG in the 2022 season. Sanders was able to flip Defensive Back/Wide Receiver Travis Hunter’s commitment from his alma-mater Florida State to Jackson State, making Hunter the highest ranked recruit to attend an HBCU as well as play in an FCS conference. Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State starting Quarterback and Deion Sanders son, got a significant amount of Heisman Trophy buzz for his play on the season. Shedeur Sanders compiled regular season stats of 284/405 passing, 32 passing touchdowns, 6 INT, 3,083 Passing Yards and a 70.1% Completion Percentage.
Deion Sanders will take over the reins of a Colorado Buffaloes team that has had 5 consecutive losing seasons (excluding a 4-2 record in 2020), including a 1-11 record this year that led to the firing of head coach Karl Dorrell on October 2nd. In the past 22 years the Buffaloes have only had 6 winning seasons (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2016). This season, they’ve allowed their opponents to score 44 points per game and 60 touchdowns (39 rushing, 31 passing).
