Bomani Jones rips Deion Sanders for being dishonest about fixing HBCU athletic programs
Hall of Fame cornerback and college football coach Deion Sanders recently agreed to become the next head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. After spending three seasons as Jackson State's head coach, Sanders opted to join Colorado as he continues his coaching career.
When Sanders became the head coach of the HBCU Jackson State Tigers, he stated that one of his missions was to fix and revolutionize HBCU teams. Sports analyst Bomani Jones appeared on CNN with Don Lemon, Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday. Jones discussed Deion Sanders' decision to leave Jackson State for Colorado by calling him a sell out.
Here's what Jones said:
"I don't judge him for taking the job at Colorado. They probably increased his salary by something like 15 times. I totally get that. It all makes sense. But what he did was something that college coaches do all the time, which is, you have to sell people four-year, 10-year plans when your plan is only one year at a time."
He continued:
"Well, I wouldn't have come in the first place and said that God sent me here to fix HBCUs. And God decided that in the middle of it you were supposed to leave? It's like I've said, maybe God wants 10 percent of five mil and not 10 percent of 375 (thousand). If God could do math, I could understand why it is."
Jones went on to say:
"He sold a dream and then walked out on the dream. People have a right to be critical of that. I also would have taken the job at Colorado. It's not a judgment of the fact that he took the job. But this is not in line with what he told us all these years."
Is @DeionSanders a sellout for leaving Jackson State?
@bomani_jones: "I wouldn't have come in the first place and said God sent me here to fix HBCU's... he sold a dream and then walked out on the dream." https://t.co/DYQ2fI61bq
An interesting perspective on the situation. While Sanders is doing what's right for him and his career, it hasn't sat well with many at Jackson State.
Deion Sanders had an excellent stint at Jackson State, going 12-0 in 2022
Despite any criticism or backlash Deion Sanders has and will receive, what he did during his time at Jackson State can't go unnoticed. In his three seasons coaching the Tigers, he had a 27-5 record as head coach.
Sanders went 4-3 in his first season, as it was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his second season with the team, he went 11-2 and this past year he went undefeated with a 12-0 record.
Sanders will be the next head coach for Colorado, who finished 1-11 last season under Karl Dorrell, who finished 8-23 in three seasons. There are a few things that are worth keeping an eye on in the future. It will be interesting to see if Jackson State are able to continue their form from recent seasons, and whether Deion Sanders can change the narrative in Colorado.
One thing's for sure, college football will definitely be an interesting watch.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit CNN and H/T Sportskeeda.