You know how spring football talk can get. You throw out an idea, stir the pot a little, and the next thing you know, the NCAA smacks it down just when it begins to simmer. That’s what happened when a certain ACC HC and Deion Sanders cooked up something bold in March — a joint spring practice between their squads. “We all locked in. Me and Coach Prime are excited,” he said. But the NCAA iced it just like that. And this is where the HBCU narrative creeps in.
You might have already guessed it. But Fran Brown was none too pleased with the NCAA decision. Was it because he and Deion Sanders came from HBCUs, coaching rising programs like Syracuse and Colorado? The following month, he took a sly jab on social media, saying, “We should have just told Coach Belichick and Bill O’Brien to come up with it. You know well they weren’t about to allow Coach Prime and Fran Brown to be the first two guys to do it.” Then he added a disclaimer — “I’m just messing with you NCAA. Don’t get all mad, call my AD and try to fine me. I’m literally joking.” But the frustration was felt.
After this episode, Fran Brown’s relationship with Deion Sanders only deepened. And now it brings us to a different stage where he joined 2022 NFF Hall of Famer LaVar Arrington in a new episode on NFFOnDemand on May 21. During their conversation on leadership, the host said,
“One thing that I had to learn in my adulthood is being the best leader I can possibly be is knowing that being that way if I truly feel that way about you, I’m gonna let you know.” Then he added, “I tell my teammates when I talk to them, when we get off the phone, and I can tell even sometimes it catch them off guard like love you bro and they probably mag feel it and they think it but it’s okay to show somebody that it’s okay to express the emotion and let you know like bro we know we love each other.” And of course, this instantly reminded Brown of somebody. “You know who’s the absolute best at doing that?” He asked and replied to himself. “Prime.”
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Love that he’s really good at that. Really makes sure it’s real,” Fran Brown added. “Because I got a chance to talk to him and get to know him over these last couple years when I heard Prime Time.” Even Arrington backed it up, saying, “He means it. If he respects what you’re doing, if he likes something about what you do… he’s definitely going to let you, he dont’t have no problem letting you know.” And that emotional honesty is why Deion Sanders and Brown connect.
Their bond started years back when Fran Brown was recruiting Shilo Sanders at Baylor. Since then, it’s been mutual respect. And no matter the reception he gets, Deion Sanders is always confident and comfortable, something which has grown into the Orange HC since both come from HBCU programs. Before coming to Boulder, Coach Prime coached at Jackson State from 2020-2022, while Brown coached HBCU school Temple for six years, serving different roles. Deion Sanders is only the second Black coach in CFB history to leave a HC job at an HBCU for an FBS school with the same role. No one is blind to the bias. Still, no negativity drags the third-year Buffs HC down.
Deion Sanders’ fight is bigger than football
Deion Sanders isn’t just trying to turn around Colorado. He’s trying to turn around narratives. “I’m a people guy. I don’t see a tremendous wrong,” he said. “I see where I can make this right. I reiterate that God always sends me to turbulent situations, turbulent people, turbulent neighborhoods, so that I could bring peace and serenity and joy, love and unity, and that’s what I’ve always done, even in my own career.” And that’s not just talk. He made JSU a national headline with two SWAC titles with a 27-6 record.
Even in Boulder, he revived a 1-11 program to a 4-8 season before leading the Buffs to a Bowl season with a 9-4 record in 2024. But every step came with criticism. His recruiting approach, his flashy style, even his son’s unexpected draft slide. It’s always something. Still, he remains unfazed. “My Bible says God uses the foolish things to confound the wise & he chose the weak things of the world that he may put to shame the strong,” he posted. “Please know God ain’t done & God is just really getting started. Enjoy this lesson & stop stressing.”
The hate and the pushback never end. But Deion Sanders doesn’t flinch. And neither do the ones who believe in him.
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