Deion Sanders Reveals Why He Won’t Coach in the NFL

Colorado Buffalos head coach and NFL legend Deion Sanders says that he could not coach professional football in the current climate and opens up about why he won’t move back to the big league.

More News: Chiefs Reveal First Minimal Injury Report Heading Into Super Bowl vs Eagles

On his show “We Got Time Today,” streaming on Tubi, Sanders recently sat down with his former Dallas Cowboys teammate and fellow Hall of Famer, Troy Aikman.

The two discussed a variety of topics, including their Super Bowl experiences, Sanders’ conversation with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about the team’s head coaching vacancy, and the differences in football practices from their playing days to today.

Thinking back to their rigorous practices in Dallas, Sanders highlighted the relentless commitment they all shared: Aikman wouldn’t tolerate an incomplete pass, Sanders was fiercely determined not to give up a single catch, Michael Irvin was never satisfied unless he caught every ball thrown his way, and Emmitt Smith pushed himself to run 20 to 30 yards after every play, no matter what.

“That’s how we practiced,” he said. “I know it’s cute, but I couldn’t coach pro ball today. The way they practice now, I couldn’t handle it. As a man and a football enthusiast, I care deeply about the game. The game has still provided for me and Troy, but I couldn’t let things slide the way they do now. That would be tough.”

Aikman, however, believes Sanders would have excelled as an NFL head coach.

“Deion would’ve done great,” he said. “He’s proven himself at every step. There’s a small group of people I wouldn’t bet against, and Deion is one of them. He would’ve been successful.”

Aikman also pointed out that Sanders’ commanding presence would have made him a natural leader. “He would’ve commanded the room, and his personality would’ve made it clear that he was in charge. That’s crucial for any organization.”

Despite Aikman’s endorsement, Sanders doesn’t seem interested in returning to the NFL anytime soon.

While Jones had reached out to him early in the Cowboys’ coaching search, Sanders has made it clear that he loves his job at the University of Colorado.

After a 9-4 season that saw the Buffaloes reach the Alamo Bowl, Sanders faces big challenges ahead, losing Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, both expected to be high picks in the upcoming NFL draft.

In a 2022 “60 Minutes” interview, Sanders said he wouldn’t be interested in any NFL openings, and he reiterated that on his show.

“I couldn’t coach pro ball,” he explained. “It’s not just about fame or money—it’s about the love of the game. The way things are done now, I couldn’t accept it. It would be hard for me to let that happen under my watch.”

While Sanders remains committed to his coaching role at Colorado, Aikman still believes in his NFL potential.

He pointed out that even some of Sanders’ former Cowboys teammates, including Michael Irvin, were surprised that Jerry Jones didn’t offer Sanders a formal interview. Instead, the Cowboys hired Schottenheimer, but the idea of Sanders eventually coaching in the NFL is still something that gets talked about.

For now, Sanders is focused on his work at Colorado, but his coaching career continues to capture the imagination of football fans. With a successful season behind him, Sanders’ future in college football looks bright, but whether or not the NFL will one day come calling remains an open question.

More News:

Browns’ Myles Garrett Speaks Out Following Shocking Trade Request

NFL Australia Officially Announced for 2026 Season

For more on the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.