Deion Sanders is the name you currently associate with Colorado. But before the ‘Coach Prime’ was ‘Coach Mac’—the man who put the Buffaloes at the center of college football until Sanders showed up. If you are a Colorado fan, then the name Bill McCartney must be familiar to you. So, when the news of his saddening demise swept away the college football community, the respect came outpouring.

McCartney passed away at the age of 84 after bravely battling Alzheimer’s and dementia. However, he left behind a glorious history that Colorado fans cherish to this day. When he joined the 1982, he turned out the program’s fortunes as he made it a hotspot for brimming talent and confidence. The result? The Buffaloes continued to contest for the championship regularly. It all culminated in a national title in 1990, which to this day remains Colorado’s only national title.

Deion Sanders had been a strong supporter of McCartney in his fight against dementia and Alzheimer’s, believing the CSU legend could overcome the challenges. But the battle proved long and tougher. Earlier today, Sanders paid tribute to McCartney on Instagram, sharing a story with his photo and a single, powerful word: “Legend.”

The 57-year-old coach also posted a heartfelt “Rest In Peace” tribute for Coach Mac, writing, “Coach Mac was an absolute legend on and off the field. He took CU to the top of College Football and he is fully ingrained in every fiber of the history of this program. I first knew of his impact becoming close with several former Buffs throughout my NFL career. He produced great football players but better men.”

Coach Prime also raved about the passion Coach Mac had for CU. He admired how Coach Mac was unapologetically himself. That’s something Deion values too. “Many of the characteristics he valued are what we are using to get this program back to the level he attained,” Deion noted. And you know what? Deion’s right. Coach Mac is a legend in every sense!

McCartney’s reign churned out 93-55-5 in 13 seasons, which ended in 1994. It seems it was something McCartney had wanted to do since childhood. He once declared, “When I was 7 years old, I knew I was going to be a coach.” His contribution to the game wasn’t limited to the field. You must have heard the likes of Gary Barnett, Jim Caldwell, and Les Miles, whom he mentored. Some of that crop even came back to coach at the Colorado.

If you want to understand the legacy he left, you could look at CU Athletic Director Rick George, whom McCartney had originally recruited as a recruiting coordinator in 1987. He said, “Coach Mac was an incredible man who taught me about the importance of faith, family, and being a good husband, father, and grandfather.”

McCartney’s chapter in the Buffaloes’ history will be glorious, and if there is one man who could come close to replicating all those accolades, it is Sanders.

Passing the baton from Bill McCartney to Deion Sanders

Sanders took on the Buffaloes’ job when they ended 4-8 in the 2023 season. This season? A commendable 9-4 record, where a couple more wins could have sealed a playoff berth for them. But it’s more than mere stats. It’s about the atmosphere of a belief. All the men who have witnessed both phases also say the same—Sanders takes after McCartney.

You can sense a similar strong belief in faith. An eye to spot and unearth talent and recruit is also where you can spot similarities. Lastly, it’s something we college football fans have lauded Sanders for—banking faith in young men. Charles Johnson, the CSU’s backup QB in 1990, laid it out. He declared, “I was at the introductory press conference [for Deion Sanders], and my mouth dropped wide open. Because I thought, ‘I am looking at the Black Bill McCartney’.”

While you can laud Sanders for his job, the credit also lies with the likes of Travis Hunter and Sheudeur Sanders. All the eyes are on Boulder as they continue to track what Sanders does. However, Sanders might face an uphill task now, as both of his sons have left. Not to mention Heisman Trophy winner Hunter. You could say that he has a major squad rebuilding project on his hands, as he has to fill up the coveted QB position and bolster the defenses. While he might continue with Kaidon Salter, Juju Lewis‘ addition only makes the spot competitive. The Colorado fans have higher expectations from him this year for very obvious reasons.

As Colorado fans reflect on the legacy of McCartney and watch Sanders carve his own path, there’s an undeniable sense of continuity—of one era inspiring the next. McCartney taught Colorado to dream big, to believe in the impossible, and now Sanders is rekindling that same fire. The road ahead might be steep, with a roster to rebuild and expectations soaring higher than ever, but if there’s one thing we know about Coach Prime, it’s that he thrives in the spotlight. So, the legacy will undoubtedly go on…