Deion Sanders Reveals the Real Reason Why He Won't Coach In NFL

In San Francisco for Super Bowl LX, Deion Sanders opened up on the new reason why he'll never leave the Colorado Buffaloes for an NFL coaching job.

Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Colorado Buffaloes fans no longer need to worry about Deion Sanders leaving Boulder for an NFL head coaching job.

While Sanders has long made clear that he's never held much interest in coaching in the NFL, Colorado's leader doubled down on his loyalties Friday while appearing on ESPN's "First Take." Asked about potentially leaving CU for the pros, Sanders said that his son's slide in last April's draft has spoiled any possibility of him taking an NFL job.

Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on during the second quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

After a dominant 2024 season at Colorado that helped him become a projected first-round pick, quarterback Shedeur Sanders was passed over multiple times by each NFL team before landing with the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. Theories related to why Shedeur fell are widespread, but the experience didn't leave his father particularly pleased with many NFL higher-ups.

"None whatsoever," Deion Sanders said of his NFL coaching interest. "(After) what transpired with my son last year, ain't no way in the world."

.@shaepeppler: "Is there anything that would get you to jump to the NFL?"

Deion Sanders: "Not whatsoever. What transpired with my son last year? Ain't no way in the world." 👀 pic.twitter.com/tW6iQo5D7T

— First Take (@FirstTake) February 6, 2026

Deion Sanders was briefly linked to the Dallas Cowboys' head coaching vacancy last year, but he ultimately signed a five-year, $54 million contract extension with Colorado in March. Still, Sanders' name is often mentioned whenever an NFL head coaching job becomes available.

"I couldn't coach pro ball," Sanders said on his talk show, "We Got Time Today," last year. "That's why I say, I couldn't coach. I know it was cute, but I couldn't coach pro ball, because the way they practice, the way they go about it, I couldn't take it. As a man, and as a football enthusiast, and I care about the game. The game is still providing for Troy (Aikman) and I, so there is no way I could allow that to happen on my watch. That would be tough."

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Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Deion Sanders watches during the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Shedeur earned the Browns' starting quarterback job in November and made the most out of his opportunity, throwing for 1,353 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions in seven starts. Less than one year after falling to the fifth round, he was named to his first Pro Bowl as a replacement quarterback.

Meanwhile, "Coach Prime" led Colorado to a 3-9 record last fall in his third season at the Buffs' helm.

Deion Sanders' Message to Colorado Fans

Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Deion Sanders also opened up on his own well-being and his belief that Colorado will bounce back from a difficult 2025.

"It was a tough year for the Sanders (family)," Sanders said. "Getting our butts kicked at Colorado, I promise you that. We're gonna get that right. We've gotten that right with what we did in the portal."

"Coach Prime" and his staff have so far added over 40 transfers and 15 class of 2026 high school signees, with three-star defensive line commit Joseph Peko being the lone holdout.