Coach Prime Not Getting The Respect He Deserves | Deion Sanders Is Proving To Be More Than A Brand, He’s An Elite Football Coach
When Deion Sanders took the head coach job at Jackson State in 2020, there were folks who were happy to see the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee get the opportunity. There were others who immediately questioned his qualifications for head coach at the college level.
They questioned his commitment to being a leader of young men and to some degree his acumen.
Right away he showed that swagger and charisma he displayed on the professional football fields and baseball diamonds his entire playing career. He also showed a dedication to developing each of his players as men.
@DeionSanders
Of course there were those who wondered if he could really make a difference at an HBCU. They were skeptical as to his ability to completely transform the talent level and negative perception surrounding Black college football.
Sanders had moderate success during his time as the head coach of Prime Prep football, a charter school under his name in Texas which ran from 2012 to 2015 but closed amidst mounting debt and other factors.
He then became the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian-Cedar Hill in 2017, bringing along sons Shedeur and Shilo. Prime had a ton of success, helping lead the team to multiple state titles, and used his connections to elevate many players into the college football pipeline.
His brand visibility, personal relationships through every level of the sport and his recruiting potential played a huge role in him landing a college job.
Spring 2020-21 Season
With COVID-19 not allowing a typical fall football season in 2020, Sanders began his coaching career in the 2020-21 SWAC Spring season.
Jackson State was competitive and even finished third in the East division, going 4-3 overall and 3-2 in conference, with a few humiliating losses mixed in.
Sanders’ celebrity and bold promises immediately boosted the media presence and resources for HBCU football schools.
The mediocre success on the field was attributed to Sanders not having time to recruit players to fit his system. The pandemic combined with him taking the job in September was problematic.
Those problems didn’t last. As soon as sports got back to some normality, Coach Prime hit the recruiting scene like he was jumping a receiver’s route back in his heyday.
What he had in store for the 2021 season was a loaded group of signees and transfers via the liberated transfer portal. He got the highest recruit in JSU history in his son Shedeur Sanders, a four-star QB who was originally committed to FAU.
His other son, Shilo, a defensive back, transferred in from another strong football program in South Carolina.
Stellar Recruiting Class| The Tides Change
Sanders landed the No. 1 recruiting class in the SWAC and HBCU football. His class ranked 55th overall in FBS football. It included five four-star recruits and seven three-star recruits. Shedeur was the bell cow of the class and is the backbone of this year’s team.
The dual-threat slinger has led JSU to a 6-1 overall record (4-0 in the SWAC) while tossing 17 touchdowns and just one interception this season. Sanders is also completing a whopping 72 percent of his passes.
The 2022 recruiting class is currently at zero recruits, but Sanders and his staff are currently working hard to land some of the nation’s top players.
They have offered 55 student-athletes, with numerous four- and five-star prospects in the mix.
Deion Sanders is MAKING WAVES as a head coach
@DeionSandersFlorida commit Javonte Gardner just FLIPPED to Jackson State…
JSU now has the best recruiting class EVER at an HBCU
pic.twitter.com/eHDkIWpefW— Overtime (@overtime) December 18, 2020
Maturation Of Coach Prime | Carrying The Torch For HBCU Football
The more experience one gets the better they become, which has been the case with Deion Sanders as a maestro on the sidelines. During last year’s SWAC spring season Sanders seemed to be out to prove he belonged.
Some of his in-game tactics were questioned as well his X’s and O’s. A lot of the criticism was laced with jealousy because he was Deion Sanders and commanded more attention than anyone else in HBCU sports.
So does his team.
Deion Sanders is the greatest college football coach of all time and you can tel Nick Saban and Bear Bryant I said it https://t.co/BosubN0HS4
— Parlay Papi (@NellyToldYa) October 17, 2021
The pressures on former NFL legends to succeed in Black college football is immense. Many have failed due to lack of resources, unsupportive administrations and other issues.
When Deion stepped on the scene, he was intent on proving that he was more than just a face. His eagerness to prove himself led to some questionable personnel decisions early on.
For instance, his two QBs from the spring didn’t have the passing ability or weapons around them to throw the ball as much as Prime had them throw it, and it led to many turnovers.
With his son Shedeur at the helm, acting as an extension of his father’s offensive philosophy, JSU’s aerial attack has taken off.
Shedeur Sanders named to Jerry Rice Award watch list; awarded to top freshman at the FCS level
Read more
https://t.co/wueGnBBD4F#IBelieve— Jackson State Athletics (@GoJSUTigers) October 27, 2021
Shedeur has a nice crop of receivers like Malachi Wideman, a four-star transfer from Tennessee who had four touchdown grabs in last week’s lopsided (42-12) win over Bethune-Cookman. Also it seems as if Sanders is trusting his staff with more responsibility.
Now every game is a movie.
Veteran Savvy/NFL Experienced Coaching Staff
Dennis Thurman (Defensive Coordinator)
Sanders assembled a respected and knowledgeable coaching staff upon his arrival in Jackson. With this JSU Tigers squad looking dominant on defense, it’s only right to talk about defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, a well-respected defensive mind with over 32 years of experience.
He guided defenses in the NFL for the Jets with cornerback and future NFL Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis. Thurman also orchestrated the defense under Rex Ryan in Buffalo, and he played a huge role in the development of All-Pro cornerback and 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.
Gary “The Flea” Harrell (RB & WRs Coach)
Flea is known for his time as HBCU Howard University’s all-time leading receiver (now second all-time), catching passes from great Jay “Sky” Walker at Greene Stadium.
But he’s also a dynamic running backs coach with ties to many HBCUs. He served as head coach of his alma mater for five seasons beginning in 2011, with a career best season of 7-4 in 2012.
Flea also held the offensive coordinator position at Bowie State and Morgan State. Prior to coming to Jackson State he worked under former Florida Atlantic and current Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. Sanders calls him his right-hand man.
Jason Phillips & Michael Pollock (Offensive Coordinators)
Sanders installed Jason Phillips and Michael Pollock as co-offensive coordinators. And with good reason. Phillips has a background dealing with wide receivers, so he designs the passing game, and Pollock is a QB guru who develops the signal callers and does run game installation.
Phillips caught passes of former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Andre Ware in college and has been an assistant at Utah State, Oregon State, Kansas, Southern Methodist, Baylor, Texas State, and Houston.
Pollock is a longtime prep coach with ties as head coach to high school powers Lincoln County and Valdosta High.
Deion has put together a coaching staff that can compete with any Power School in the country. As JSU’s talent pool continues to rise and NIL money allows more elite high school recruits flexibility in deciding what college they can attend and still get paid, the blueprint for sustained HBCU success is being created as we speak.
Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders will not coach in Saturday’s game against Mississippi Valley State, a Jackson State spokesperson confirmed to The Clarion Ledger.
It’s the second consecutive game that Sanders will miss. He missed last week’s game against Bethune Cookman after doctors advised him to take some time off as he recovers from foot surgery. The Tigers won 42-12.
Interim coach and running backs coach Gary Harrell said Thursday that there is no timetable for Sanders’ return. He said the team will have to wait and see based on doctors orders.
In the meantime, Harrell will continue to fill in for Sanders.
SCOUTING REPORT:Jackson State football vs Mississippi Valley State: Scouting report, prediction
COACH PRIME IS OUT:No timetable for Deion Sanders’ return as Jackson State prepares for Mississippi Valley State
JSU DOMINANCE:Is Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State still a football rivalry?
The all-time series between Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State is 60-7-2 in favor of JSU. Jackson State has won four games in a row and is undefeated in conference play.
Deion Sanders
.jpg) Sanders in 2011
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| Jackson State Tigers | |||||||||
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| Position: | Head coach | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | August 9, 1967 Fort Myers, Florida |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 198 lb (90 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | North Fort Myers (North Fort Myers, Florida) |
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| College: | Florida State | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1989 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| As a coach: | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Head coaching record | |||||||||
| Career: | 10–4 (college) | ||||||||
| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||
Deion Luwynn Sanders Sr. (born August 9, 1967), nicknamed “Prime Time” and “Neon Deion”, is an American athlete, sports analyst, and football coach. He is often considered to be one of the most talented NFL players of all time, and he is the head football coach at Jackson State University. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons as a member of the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Baltimore Ravens. Sanders was also a baseball outfielder for nine seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), where he played for the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants. He won two Super Bowl titles and made one World Series appearance in 1992, making him the only athlete to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.
Sanders attended Florida State University, where he was recognized as a two-time All-American in football, and also played baseball and ran track. He was drafted by the Falcons in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft and played football primarily at cornerback, but also as a kick returner, punt returner, and wide receiver. During his career, he was named to eight Pro Bowls, received first-team All-Pro honors six times, and made consecutive Super Bowl appearances in Super Bowl XXIX with the 49ers and Super Bowl XXX with the Cowboys, winning both. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Following the conclusion of his athletic career, Sanders became an analyst for CBS Sports, NFL Network, and Barstool Sports. He was also the offensive coordinator for the football team at Trinity Christian School – Cedar Hill, which his sons attended, from 2017 until 2020 when he was hired by Jackson State.[2] Sanders founded the Prime Prep Academy charter school in 2012 where he coached until the school closed in 2015. Additionally, he starred in the show Deion Family Playbook, which debuted in 2014.
Can Shedeur Sanders become first HBCU player to win Jerry Rice Award?
It is quite ironic that the award for the most outstanding freshman in FCS football is named for one of the biggest names in HBCU sports history, but an HBCU player has yet to win it.
The Jerry Rice Award was established in 2011. Since then, players from Villanova, Eastern Washington, and Weber State among others have won the award. But there’s no sign of schools like Rice’s alma mater Mississippi Valley State.
Shedeur Sanders last week became the first Jackson State player to be named to the watchlist for the award. He’s the only HBCU quarterback and one of four HBCU players on the list, along with Hampton running back Elijah Burris, Southern running back Kobe Dillon, and Delaware State running back Sy’Veon Wilkerson.
WINNING COMBINATION:Shedeur Sanders, Malachi Wideman paramount to Jackson State offense during winning streak
GRADING THE WIN VS. MVSU:Jackson State football report card: How we graded Tigers in second game without Deion Sanders
More:What Deion Sanders said about Jackson State football playing without him
So what are Sanders’ chances of becoming the first Tiger to bring the trophy back to Jackson?
Of the award’s 10 winners, four have been quarterbacks.
The most notable winner is Trey Lance, who starred at North Dakota State before being selected No. 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft by San Francisco. Last year’s winner was Incarnate Word quarterback Cameron Ward. Northern Arizona’s Case Cookus won in 2015. The first quarterback to win was Villanova’s John Robertson in 2012.
Here’s how Sanders’ numbers stack up against the other quarterbacks on the 2021 watchlist.
Demeatric Crenshaw, Youngstown State: 68-for-118 passing, 569 yards, four touchdowns, four interceptions.
Zevi Eckhaus, Bryant: 166-for-268 passing, 1,605 yards, 13 touchdowns, two interceptions.
RJ Martinez, Northern Arizona: 118-for-188 passing, 1,456 yards, 12 touchdowns, two interceptions.
Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State: 171-for-250 passing, 2,109 yards, 20 touchdowns, three interceptions.
Sanders has the highest completion percentage, most passing yards, and most passing touchdowns of any of the quarterbacks on the list. He’s also the only quarterback of a team ranked in the STATS Perform FCS Top 25.
But, the award is open to all positions, and four of the 10 past winners are running backs. One receiver and one linebacker have also won the award.
Central Arkansas’ Darius Hale appears have the best stats amongst the running backs. He has 663 yards and 13 touchdowns on 121 carries. Presbyterian’s Jalyn Witcher is leading the FCS in receiving touchdowns with 10, and is third in receiving yards with 815. Fordham’s James Conway is second in FCS with 97 tackles.`
Historically, quarterbacks have won the Jerry Rice award more than any position other than running back. And Sanders’ passing stats should place him among the frontrunner if he keeps it up.
Deion Sanders: ‘So Darn Proud’ of Team, Posts Appreciation While Recovering
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Deion Sanders sends messages of appreciation to his team, Jackson State Nation, and others while recovering.
Deion Sanders missed his second-consecutive game as head coach of the Jackson State Tigers (7-1, 5-0 SWAC).
In his absence, his team won both contests against Bethune-Cookman and Mississippi Valley State to remain undefeated in SWAC action.
After the Tigers’ 28-19 victory over the Delta Devils, Sanders posted “Jackson State #TheeILove GREAT WIN!”
He went on to say how proud he was of the team and thanked the JSU/Tiger Nation, Barstool family, God, doctors, and nurses.
Reports say Sanders was hospitalized from complications since his foot surgery on September 22. Sanders had two toes repaired by Dr. James Hurt and Dr. Lori Reed.
Sanders was hobbling and in a medical boot because of the “excruciating pain” that had him barefooted during football games and practices over the past few weeks. “I couldn’t take it anymore, and I have a high tolerance for pain,” Sanders described to Hurt.
The toe dislocation for Sanders likely occurred when he played professional football in the NFL.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Jackson State’s interim head coach Gary Harrell has done well with Sanders off the sidelines and healing. The team will face Texas Southern Tigers (2-5, 2-3 SWAC) after dispatching Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a 59-17 victory.
I watched the freshman Andrew Body dissect the Golden Lions’ defensive secondary by completing 16 of 25 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Body ran for 121 yards on 16 rushes and 1 TD.
Tigers needed a complete body of work to defeat Mississippi Valley on Saturday. Shedeur Sander had one interception through seven games, but he tossed two interceptions to MSVU defenders. The outstanding freshman amassed 257 yards and three touchdowns on 18 of 31 passing attempts.
Next week’s matchup will have the two strong-armed quarterbacks, Body and Sanders, square off in a critical SWAC battle in Jackson, MS, on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Will Deion Sanders be at the stadium leading his team?
We shall see.
