Deion Sanders is synonymous with polarizing. Certain factions look down upon his outward eccentricity and antics as a head coach and, by extension, leader of men. The “men” he’s leading into battle, though, are almost unanimous in their reverence of him. His players adore him, and so do his comrades. Buffs’ graduate assistant and fellow HOFer Warren Sapp has laid bare his true feelings, undercutting misapprehension surrounding the “Coach Prime” persona.

The misapprehension often stems from a slyly prejudicial place. Perhaps because of the image he projects onto the CFB sphere and beyond. Or even from the unwavering push of his faith. It’s this proximity to their faiths that has built a close-knit nexus between Sapp and Sanders while working in tandem. Along with, of course, their footballing prowess and acumen. Warren Sapp was drifting into the proverbial abyss that many retired players find themselves in. Coach Prime permeated his undying energy into Sapp and brought him to a realization.

“Prime knows how I love this game. It’s just who and what we are. He understood that about me, and I wanted in,” said Warren Sapp during S3E1 of the aptly named “Coach Prime” docuseries on…Prime. “For [Deion] to reach for me when nobody else was even looking… He told me, ‘I got a spot for you, brother, I need you.’”

Sapp implied how Deion giving him a platform in the coaching realm almost led to an epiphany. This is what he wants to truly do moving forward: coach football. A thought that was perhaps simmering for a long time.  But was suppressed by a lack of opportunity. “Now I’ve got a mission for life. Thank you” Sapp proceeded, as he looked skywards towards the heavens. This mission of his may sound far-fetched. But Warren Sapp and Deion Sanders are ones for breaching past conventional glass ceilings.

“Prime is one of those special men that God has put on the Earth,” remarked Sapp. Very high praise indeed for someone you’ve known and seen grow from college onwards. He then promised he was going to achieve something for his HC that would’ve been almost unfathomable in years past. “I’m gonna complete the task with this one. I’m gonna get [Deion to be] the first African American coach to win a title, and go ride off into the sunset with him. That’s gonna be a hell of a party!” claimed Warren Sapp. Shoot for the stars, aim for the moon. This promise, as heartfelt as it is, may be rendered futile within a fortnight.

Marcus Freeman and James Franklin begrudgingly stand in the way of this feat. They’re both due to play in the CFP semis. One HC will naturally progress to the Natty, giving them a shot at making history before Prime and Sapp. Alas, they won’t care. It’s the emotion behind the statement rather than the statement itself that resounds. However, Warren Sapp may want to quietly see Ryan Day or Steve Sarkisian win the big one! That’s the competitiveness athletes of his ilk possess. An attribute he has brought across to Colorado in plenty. Deion has reciprocated Sapp’s adulation for him along every possible juncture, and he did so again.

Coach Prime reciprocates the love Warren Sapp bestowed upon him

It is rare for a group of talented, successful people to exist symbiotically with no friction whatsoever. More so when there is a hierarchy, which is the case with HC Sanders and assistant Sapp. Yet, this pair seems to have found a way. It’s a bit Yin and Yang, except they both comprise a lot of parallels. That is what keeps this dynamic and working relationship going. “We kind of think alike. We see the same vision,” said Deion about how both being ex-NFL pros breed success. He proceeded to elaborate on how that facet brings about a level of respect.

“These young men adore [Warren Sapp]”, said Prime during his namesake docuseries. “When they see what he’s accomplished in the NFL when he played, first he gets in their minds by his gold jacket. But he stays in there by his work ethic, by his knowledge and by his wisdom.” Having two Hall of Fame coaches is bound to have brushed onto the players. It sure did on two departed ones, Shedeur and Travis. 

It’s the dawn of a new era up in Boulder. Some familiar faces that are now etched in Buffs’ history have bid adieu. In a time like this, Deion Sanders will seek to feed off Warren Sapp more than ever. The two are standing on the precipice of their toughest year coaching yet. The standards they’ve set are high. Skeptics won’t care if they lost their two best players. Especially now that Sapp has manifested a title in their shared future.