Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer speaks on Deion Sanders’ motivations coaching Colorado football
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer trusts that Deion Sanders was born to be a collegiate head coach given his time knowing the Colorado football program’s head man for a long time.
“Deion is a terrific recruiter, he’s very disciplined,” Zimmer told Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM) (h/t The Dallas Morning News). “I think he’s going to make these players understand that there’s more to life than just football. Hopefully he’s gonna have a good year. I think he will. I know he’s excited about being in a new conference. Obviously his son is a great player and they’ve got some really good players there.
“I do know that he really cares about people and kids when he started that school over here. I had no doubt that he’s an unbelievable recruiter. He’ll go out and get good players, get good coaches and people to work for him.”
Zimmer was said to be joining both Coach Prime’s Jackson State staff and Buffs staff but spent a few days in Mississippi while never being present in Colorado. He was a top candidate for CU’s defensive coordinator job before Robert Livingston was ultimately chosen.
Deion Sanders’ Colorado football recruiting style not understood by everyone
We’ve come to learn that Coach Prime doesn’t go to the homes or high schools of prospective recruits, but instead stays in Boulder and allows prospects to come to him. That’s been criticized ad nauseum, but some don’t understand why he does this.
Many forget Sanders’ health issues. The man had several toes amputated. Traveling isn’t easy.
Coach Prime also mostly recruits transfers. Such players don’t need the red carpet rolled out for them, oftentimes settling for the terms of their potential NIL payout and what role would be played when they become Buffs.
There are issues in Colorado’s locker room, the open gambling that was caught on video being one of them, but Sanders’ travel schedule really shouldn’t be included in that.