Last year, the University of Colorado Boulder introduced their new head football coach, Deion Sanders, otherwise known as “Coach Prime.” As the only athlete to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series, Sanders brought a winning swagger to a program that only won one game last year. His braggadocious style prompts many to reflect on what makes a good coach.

For junior Maddie Pierce, inclusivity, supporting, and valuing players are key to success when she’s on the court. “I’ve felt very valued as a part of the team.” “It’s okay to be focused on winning as long as you’re supportive of your players. I think that’s really important,” Pierce said.

Sanders compared his players transferring to the program to high-quality Louis Vuitton bags. Among the highly regarded football players following Sanders to Colorado are his two sons, Shedeur and Shilo. Shedeur plays quarterback, and Shilo plays safety on the defensive side of the ball as the starting safety.

This September, Sanders took over the college football conversation when his Colorado team defeated last year’s national champion runner-up, Texas Tech, 45-42. Junior Ezra Straub, a college football fan, believes that the new coaches and players that came with Sanders primed the program. “He’s able to recruit like they haven’t been able to before,” Straub said.

Sanders’ wins and uplifting energy lured in many new fans, helping to sell out Colorado games. “I think he’s very good because he gets much more publicity for college football, he knows what he’s doing,” Straub said.

Sanders’ star power and popularity provided some extra motivation for opposing players and coaches. Dan Lanning, the head coach for the Oregon Ducks commented on Sanders and Colorado in a pregame huddle, “They’re playing for clicks. We’re playing to win,” Lanning said.

“I don’t know if they’re going to have a good season. They got killed by the Ducks, but they’re a lot better than they were,” sophomore Fletcher Coblentz said, a Colorado fan and SMB Wolfpack football player. Oregon went on to hand Sanders his first loss of the season, 42 – 6.

As of Oct 23. the Buffaloes are 4-3.

When athletics teams struggle on the court or on the field, coaches play a role in improving team morale, much like Sanders. SPA does recruit some lowercase “prime” coaches. “Our coaches get us hype just like Deion Sanders,” Coblentz said.