HBCU Legends

Deion Sanders: SWAC Commissioner Speaks On 'The Prime Effect'

SWAC commissioner spoke to ESPN's Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker about "The Prime Effect" and its carryover on the conference.
Kyle T. Mosley|
Deion Sanders: SWAC Commissioner Speaks On 'The Prime Effect'
Deion Sanders: SWAC Commissioner Speaks On 'The Prime Effect'

HOUSTON — Dr. Charles McClelland told 60 Minutes in 2022 that Deion Sanders was a "superstar." Coach Prime illuminated the Southwestern Athletic Conference with his bold approach to coaching for two seasons at Jackson State University. He definitely was a breath of fresh air for HBCU football, coaching, and sports.  As Sanders pointed out upon accepting the coaching position at Jackson State, he was "sent by God."

For most fans and media professionals, the weekly press conferences have been "matter of fact" and lost "energy" following his departure. Also, there has been a decline in game attendance, and the overall fan interest appears to be erratic until the weekend's slate of contests. It's difficult to correlate the current state of HBCU football to Coach Prime being in Colorado, but it's noticeably different.  Nevertheless, Commissioner McClelland sees a noticeable positive effect, no matter if the conference lost his quotable one-liners, mottos, and inspiring jargon.

During the UAPB at Alabama A&M broadcast, ESPN play-by-play announcer Tiffany Greene asked Dr. McClelland about the carryover of the "Prime Effect" in the conference. 

"I had the opportunity to talk to him [Deion Sanders] actually before the TCU game," Dr. McClelland shared with Greene and Walker. "He still sends his congratulations to what the Southwestern Athletic Conference has done. Coach Prime is someone that gave us a lot of notoriety. Our job is to continue again with a great product. When Shedeur Sanders said, 'I didn't throw for that many years within the Southwest Athletic Conference,' that said a lot. That said, who we are. You talked about John Stallworth (Alabama A&M/NFL Hall of Fame). We talked [Terron] Armstead. We talked about all of the people that came to the Southwestern Athletic Conference. That's who we are, and that's when we will continue to be."

The critical SWAC divisional games will be on display in Week 4 with Prairie View at Alcorn State, Texas Southern versus Grambling State [HBCU GO], Alabama State visiting Florida A&M [ESPN+], and Bethune-Cookman meeting Jackson State [ESPN+] on Saturday, Sept. 23.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends. Former founder and publisher of the Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on SI since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Collegiate Head Coach), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Mark Ingram (NFL RB), Terron Armstead (NFL OL), Jameis Winston (NFL QB), Cam Newton (NFL QB), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Chennis Berry (Collegiate Head Coach), Johnny Jones (Collegiate Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Women's Basketball Coach), Tremaine Jackson (Collegiate Head Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (Former VP of Basketball - New Orleans Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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