Deion Sanders has always been a magnet for the spotlight. Lately, he’s been making waves with his coaching prowess for the Colorado Buffaloes. The former NFL star has guided his Buffs to a remarkable No. 18 ranking in the AP polls after just two games of the College Football season, a surprising achievement considering the low preseason expectations.

Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Sanders’ influence even extends beyond his team’s recent performance, shaping the landscape of college football itself. Wherever Colorado star goes, cameras and media have always trailed behind, capturing his every move. Over the years, Deion Sanders has transitioned himself from the moniker “Prime Time” to a new title, “Coach Prime.” But what prompted this change in titles? Why is he given these monikers?

Why is Deion Sanders called Coach Prime?

There’s a good reason why he’s known as Coach Prime. But before we delve into Coach Prime’s story, let’s first shed light on the origins of Prime Time. It didn’t stem from his football prowess but rather from his basketball skills during his days at North Fort Myers High School in Florida. There, Sanders displayed a distinctive style and swagger on the hardwood, excelling in basketball, football, and baseball, earning all-state honors in each sport. The Prime Time nickname became synonymous with him after a high school basketball game where he scored a whopping 37 points in a single match.

Sanders shared the story during a Jimmy Fallon show, explaining that his friends coined the nickname on a bus ride home. He recalled, “We were on our way home on the bus and my homie says ‘You know what, man? You’re Prime Time’….So, it was birthed from there.” Primetime, by definition, refers to the regularly occurring time when television or radio audiences are expected to be at their peak, typically between 8 and 11 p.m. Sanders’ nickname, Primetime, alludes to him being an all-time performer.

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Naturally, when he transitioned into a coaching role, his nickname evolved to suit his new responsibilities, giving rise to the name “Coach Prime.” Interestingly, his journey as Coach Prime wasn’t without its challenges and obstacles.

Was Deion Sanders interested in coaching?

The Pro Football Hall of Famer took on the role of coaching Jackson State in September 2020, and from there, his journey made history. After achieving remarkable success at Jackson State, Deion made the move to Colorado in December. However, the foot injury and surgery took most of his time. But soon he came back triumphant this offseason, leading the Buffs to an impressive start.

However, before becoming a college football coach, the 56-year-old had aspirations of coaching in the NFL, particularly for a team he had played for during his NFL career. In 2003, Sanders had hopes of being considered for the coaching position with the Falcons, where he believed then-coach Dan Reeves might not be around for much longer due to the team’s 1-6 record at the midpoint of the season. Sanders made a pitch for the job, but unfortunately, things didn’t work out, and he had to set aside his NFL coaching dreams in favor of college football.

The rest, as they say, is history, as he now continues to accumulate consecutive wins in his coaching career, perhaps leaving his doubters envious.

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