Deion Sanders could very well become the new Dallas Cowboys head coach. Jerry Jones knows him well, and being a former player for the team, the hire makes sense. However, there’s concern about Sanders facing backlash for making this transition in the midst of a rebuild in Boulder. He arguably did something similar at Jackson State, which critics have often pointed to. Despite this, Ryan Clark believes Coach Prime should take the job if offered, not worrying about the backlash, as history has shown that nothing will come of it.
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On the latest episode of The Pivot Podcast, Clark acknowledged that if Sanders left mid-way through the rebuild at Colorado, especially after signing a five-star quarterback in Julian Lewis, he’d face pushback. However, he argued that when Urban Meyer did something similar by deciding to coach the Jaguars, the backlash was out of the question. Meyer had retired in 2018 from coaching the Buckeyes but chose to return in 2021—not to college, but to the NFL.
Even Matt Rhule made the move from coaching Baylor to coaching the Panthers, yet no fingers were pointed. Clark argues that this type of transition is just a part of being great, and Sanders should embrace it like others have.
“Next thing that going to Deion is the pushback of now leaving Colorado after you sign a five-star QB to replace Shedeur. Nobody was mad at Matt Rhule when he went from building Temple to Baylor to Carolina Panthers. Nobody gets mad at Urban Meyers who moves on to Jacksonville. This is a part of the process of being great,” said Clark.
Clark believes that the expectations around Coach Prime are so high that he would need to handle the potential offer by Jones with tact and diplomacy. He emphasized that Sanders should not approach the situation in a cavalier manner by calling it a “great opportunity” like Brian Kelly did when he left Notre Dame. In doing so, he might undermine the significance of his current role at Colorado and attract criticism.
Crowder highlighted that coaches have been leaving positions for better opportunities for the longest time. And with the advent of NIL, there’s even less certainty about college players or coaches staying in one place for more than a season. He added that it’s well within their rights to move on, whether motivated by financial gain or professional growth.
“Coaches have better financial opportunities and more legit jobs to up their careers. It’s part of the game. Opportunities come up with NIL and the money. It’s part of the game. Let’s change the mindset,” said Crowder.
However, that’s not all that needs to be considered before the Cowboys and Sanders make the leap. Coach Prime must evaluate whether he can work in an environment where Jones will be the ultimate authority — possibly giving him minimal control and autonomy as head coach. And the Cowboys need to consider whether Sanders’ transfer from Colorado to Dallas makes financial sense for them.
The Cowboys would have to pay a hefty amount to get Sanders
Adam Schefter revealed that Deion has a $10 million buyout clause in his Colorado contract, which would be a significant hurdle for Dallas. Jones has a reputation for prioritizing top-dollar contracts for players rather than coaches.
At Colorado, Coach Prime is set to earn $29.5 million over five years, which excludes income from endorsements and other sources. It’s already a highly lucrative opportunity. This raises the question: Would Jerry be willing to meet the cost or even go above it to lure his former player back to Dallas?
While the Cowboys’ head coaching position would undoubtedly be a step up for Sanders, factors such as salary and control could become crucial factors governing his decision.
The strikingly similar personalities of Jones and Sanders could complicate matters further. Both men thrive on being the center of attention, embracing the spotlight and relishing their roles as the most influential figures in the room. While Deion excels under the spotlight, Jones prefers to maintain his position as the dominant voice within the organization. This dynamic could create friction if their visions clash.
Notably, Jerry reached out to Sanders on the same day he relieved Mike McCarthy of his duties. Their initial conversation was reportedly positive. But the big question remains: Can they find common ground?
