Colorado University Athletics
Coach Prime, Buffs Leave Their Mark At Big 12 Media Days
July 10, 2024 | Football, Neill Woelk
LAS VEGAS — Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes officially introduced themselves to the Big 12 Wednesday when he and four players participated in the league's Media Days at Allegiant Stadium.
But the truth is, Coach Prime needed no introduction. Not only did he draw a large crowd for his Wednesday press conference, no other coach in the league was talked about more by opposing coaches. From Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy to Texas Tech's Joey McGuire to Utah's Kyle Whittingham to UCF's Gus Malzahn, they found themselves answering questions about the coach of a team picked by the media to finish 11th in the 16-team league.
"We're lucky in our league that he's with us because he brings more people and notoriety and viewers to the Big 12 Conference and that's what makes it go," Gundy said. "We need viewership. We want people to watch our teams play. It will be fun to have him in our league. It will be fun — it's fun for me to have Colorado back in our league and to be able to compete against him. I can only imagine what his competitive level is. So that will be fun to have him in the league."
But fun didn't appear to be on the minds of the Colorado contingent that included quarterback Shedeur Sanders, two-way star Travis Hunter, safety Shilo Sanders and punter Mark Vassett. Instead, the Buffs made Media Days a business trip, flying in to Las Vegas on Wednesday morning and departing Wednesday afternoon.
No doubt the Buffs know they have plenty to prove this year. After an electrifying 3-0 start and top 25 ranking a year ago, injuries and a lack of depth hit home. Colorado lost eight of its last nine games to finish with a 4-8 record and despite another offseason roster rebuild, the media don't seem to be convinced that much brighter days are ahead for CU.
Still, an 11th-place finish with the league's first-team preseason all-conference quarterback (Sanders) and the preseason defensive player of the year (Hunter) seems a bit out of whack.
It is a prediction that's definitely not sitting well with Coach Prime.
"I'd be an idiot to sit over here and not tell you we plan on winning," he told ESPN. "I don't know who sits down and says they don't plan on winning. You got to be an idiot to say that. We definitely plan on winning and first and foremost, it starts with the staff. I think we have over 140 years of NFL experience on the staff."
Sanders made rebuilding his staff one of his top priorities of the offseason. He promoted Pat Shurmur to full-time offensive coordinator, brought in NFL assistant Robert Livingston to serve as defensive coordinator, and also added offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, defensive line coach Damione Lewis, wide receivers coach Jason Phillips and fellow NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp as a graduate assistant.
Sanders is clearly pleased with his coordinator changes.
"Livingston was recommended to me by a few pros that I'm well familiar with," Sanders said. "In his interview process, his consistency and his thought process and his relatability just put him well above the other applicants. I pray to God that I can keep him because I feel like we're gonna kick butt. We're gonna win, and he's gonna be a head coach in college or pros or whatever he endeavors because he's that good."
Shurmur, meanwhile, brings years of experience at the NFL level as well as a solid relationship with his star quarterback.
"His compatibility and relationship with Shedeur is amazing," Coach Prime said. "What they plan on doing this season, I can't wait to see it myself."
In his second year at the helm, Coach Prime was also able to focus more on addressing specific roster needs rather than rebuilding virtually every position, as was the case in first season in Boulder.
The No. 1 task in that area was improving the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Last season, CU allowed 56 sacks, with Sanders taking a nation-leading 52 of those. On the ground, the Buffs averaged less than 70 yards per game — worst in the nation.
Defensively, Colorado gave up more than 176 yards per game on the ground (107th in the nation) while also finishing with just 27 quarterback sacks (53rd in the nation).
Sanders believes the Buffs should be much improved in both areas.
On the offensive side, CU added a host of transfers, including tackle Kahlil Benson and guards Justin Mayer and Tyler Johnson. The Buffs should also get a boost up front from returnee Tyler Brown (ineligible last season) as well as true freshman Jordan Seaton, one of the top recruits in the nation last season.
Defensively, the newcomer list up front includes lineman/rush end B.J. Green, a first team preseason all-conference selection, as well as Samuel Okunlola, Dayon Hayes, Chidozie Nwankwo and Anquin Barnes.
"We need to protect the quarterback, that's No. 1," Sanders said. "We need to get after the passer. We need to be able to run the football as well and stop the run."
In terms of the skill position players needed to accomplish that, the Buffs are well-stocked. CU's wide receiver corps — Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr., Omarion Miller and newcomer LaJohntay Wester — might be one of the best in the Big 12 and the Buffs also added Ohio State transfer running back Dallan Hayden.
Defensively, CU's secondary might also be among the best in the league, led by Hunter, Shilo Sanders, Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, Preston Hodge and DJ McKinney.
It all adds up to a season Sanders firmly believes will lead to more than a lower-division finish in their new conference.
"I know I'm a winner," Coach Prime said. "Whatever I display, however I go about my job, my work, my business, my personal life, it's that of a winner. That's all I know. I don't know anything else but due time and due process. We're going to reach that goal because we're going to get there, because I know I'm going to get there — and I'm not going by myself."
Players Mentioned
