Getty Image
The Colorado Buffaloes made a major splash over the weekend when they announced that Deion Sanders would be the next head coach of their struggling football program. Coach Prime immediately came in and reset the expectation, much to the delight of former Colorado stars.
But the hire didn’t come without questions. Sanders’ only college coaching experience came in the three years he spent at FCS Jackson State. And while he had success with the Tigers, the challenges with Colorado are a bit different. Sanders is obviously a great recruiter, but can he handle everything else that comes with being a Power 5 head coach?
Well, despite potential financial restrictions, it appears that he’s off to a great start.
Sanders made a huge splash on Monday when news broke that Kent State head coach Sean Lewis was stepping down to become the Buffaloes’ offensive coordinator. Lewis is considered one of the best young offensive minds in college football. Lewis isn’t coming alone, either.
In addition to Sean Lewis, some other #Colorado staff moves, according to sources: Tim Brewster and Willie Taggart are in Boulder and will be on staff. David Kelly, who worked under Taggart at several schools, is leading player personnel. Ray Forsett is chief of staff.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 6, 2022
It appears that Sanders is slowly but surely building one of the best staffs in the country. But he was still missing one key piece. Though that could be fixed very quickly according to reports.
Deion Sanders Could Add Former Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer
Mike Zimmer spent eight seasons as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2014-2021. Prior to that, he had 13 seasons worth of experience as an NFL defensive coordinator.
Now he may be joining Sanders in Colorado to lead the Buffs’ defense.
Rumors circulating former Vikings HC Mike Zimmer could be joining Deion as defensive coordinator @CUBuffsFootball
Zimmer has been working in advisory role with Sanders at JSU #CollegeFootball
— Jonathan Cisowski (@cisow77) December 5, 2022
Jonathan Cisowski, an assignment editor for 8 NewsNow in Las Vegas, reports that Zimmer may well be in line to be the next defensive coordinator at Colorado.
Zimmer and Sanders have a great relationship. The NFL coaching veteran coached Sanders for five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and recently served as an analyst for Sanders at Jackson State.
If Sanders and Colorado could somehow pull it off, it would be a massive step forward toward giving the program immediate legitimacy