As Jim Harbaugh and Co. Shelled out $2.4 Million, Deion Sanders’ Prime Effect Brings in Record-Breaking Glory

Every head coach’s approach is different and Deion Sanders and Jim Harbaugh are examples of stark contrast when it comes to recruiting players. While the former Michigan HC went up and down and left and right to recruit, shelling out big bucks isn’t how Coach Primerecruits. The Colorado Buffaloes HC just sat where he was and was still able to top Harbaugh’s efforts in Michigan. 

The University of Michigan Wolverines’ athletic department recently released their annual financial report for the 2023 fiscal year which covers the period from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. While the report revealed that the football department saw an increase of $11.4 million in revenue with $142.8 million from FY2022 to FY2023, they incurred an expenditure of 50% of the university’s recruiting budget for all sports. Let’s take a deeper look at Jim Harbaugh’s recruiting expenses and Deion Sanders’ zero off-campus visits. 

Jim Harbaugh spends over $2 million in recruiting spending

In FY2023, Michigan’s athletic department made $229.6 million in total operating revenue– a hike from the $210.7 million in FY2022. The football department contributed to the highest ticket revenue with $57 million this fiscal year, which is a $10.5 million increase compared to last year’s report. In terms of recruiting expenses, Jim Harbaugh spent $2.4 million in contrast to last fiscal year’s $2.2 million expenditure. 

While the expense is heavy, Harbaugh’s efforts were not in vain. The Wolverines ranked No. 17 in the 2023 recruiting class while inching one rank higher in 2024 at No. 16. It also laid the foundation for the National Championship victory. Despite the recruiting expense, Michigan football still generated an incredible profit of $75 million in FY2023. Unlike Harbaugh, Deion Sanders was able to save his $200,000 annual budget set aside for recruitment purposes such as private air travel.

Deion Sanders attracted prospects to Colorado 

The Prime Effect is bringing players to Boulder without Coach Prime having to leave his crib. Jim Harbaugh reportedly made 145 off-campus visits since December 2022 when Deion Sanders entered Boulder as the new HC. In contrast, “Coach Prime did not make any off-campus recruiting visits” as per what USA Today’s Brent Schrotenboer reported. His focus is more on transfers as he hauled in 51 transfers before the 2023 season, ranking No. 1 in the nation, as per 247Sports. 

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Transitioning to the Big 12 in the 2024 season, Coach Prime relies heavily on transfers rather than recruits. Colorado ranks No. 5 on 247Sports with 24 transfers this season while bagging only seven recruits. This ranks them in the 119th best class for the 2024 season according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. His approach will be put to the test again after his team failed to meet the expectations of fans in 2023 when they fell 4-8.

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