FRISCO, Texas — Colorado head coach Deion Sanders had the main stage — and plenty of laughs — as he brought his trademark energy to Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday, showing no signs of slowing down despite his recent health scare.
“God is good,” Sanders said right out of the gate, setting the tone for an upbeat, lively session that left reporters grinning as much as scribbling down quotes. The Buffaloes’ coach, who has faced well-documented health challenges in recent years, didn’t dodge questions about how he stays strong. Instead, he turned it into a testament of faith and family.
“First of all, the church, God, with all my mind, all my soul and everything I have, I never waver,” Sanders said when asked how he models resilience for his players. “I never say, ‘Why?’ I just say, ‘Use me.’ If you can use anything, you can use me.”
True to form, Sanders wasn’t alone for his walk to the main stage — he was joined by Cowboys legend and longtime friend Michael Irvin, whom he openly praised.
“Where’s Michael Irvin, the playmaker? I love you to life, man,” Sanders said, his voice catching as he looked at his friend. “Thank you for being you. I really do love you.”
If there were any doubts about whether “Coach Prime” would keep the room entertained, they vanished quickly. He quipped about his old-school ways — “I’m not an old fool, I’m old school” — and got a laugh when he said of his coaching relationship with Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, “I’m a virgin with Kenny,” referring to their shared experience stepping into the Big 12 from the Pac-12.
Behind the jokes and soundbites, Sanders made it clear he’s as locked in on his players as ever. He spoke proudly of his team’s unity, the maturity of his roster, and the wide receivers he “can’t wait to unleash.”
“I love this team,” Sanders said. “They love each other, they love playing at Colorado, and they’re committed to not letting their teammate down.”
It’s that culture, Sanders said, that makes him grateful every day — and keeps him fighting to win.
“I want to win at all costs. I want to win the right way,” Sanders said. “And I want to prepare these young men for life, not just football.”