Legendary Cowboys HC explains why he expects Deion Sanders to reject Cowboys head coach job
Jimmy Johnson, a key architect of the Dallas Cowboys' glory days from 1989–1993, has dismissed the team's former quarterback Deion Sanders' eligibility to be the coach of the franchise.
Since the Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones has put the team's current coach, Mike McCarthy's fate with the team in the balance, Sanders' name as a potential replacement has come up.
In light of this, in an appearance on "The Facility," the former Cowboys HC, Jimmy Johnson, said:
"Don't get me wrong — I love Deion, I love him. But his strength is bringing in talent. He's got an outstanding coaching staff. That's one reason why they've gotten where they are. But ... but I don't see it happening."
He continued:
"He can bring out the best in the talent he's got, and that's part of it — bringing out the best. I think he's a better college coach, though, because college coaching is recruiting. Professional coaching is coaching, you know? And so that's the difference between the two. And I did both."
That said, Deion Sanders himself is committed to the Colorado Buffaloes.
"I'm happy where I am, man," Sanders said on Tuesday as reported by ESPN. "I've got a kickstand down. You know what a kickstand is? ... That means I'm resting. I'm good, I'm happy, I'm excited. I'm enthusiastic about where I am. I love it here, truly do."
Under his leadership, the Buffs have achieved an 8-3 record this season, which is way better than what they achieved in the 2023 season.
Jerry Jones thinks Deion Sanders is more suitable for NCAA Football
Jerry Jones and Deion Sanders are unlikely to pair in the near future. Speaking on "105.3 The Fan," the Cowboys owner echoed Jimmy Johnson's opinions. The 81-year-old said, as per CBS Sports:
"One of his (Deion's) greatest skills, that he really brings to college, is that he almost has no peer as far as being a recruiter. Kids want to come play for him and he has a way of selling that. That is one skill, that recruiting skill, that is not a huge prerequisite for NFL coaches.
"One of his greatest values is in that area of putting the team together in the sense of getting great talent to come play for him there at Colorado. All of that would go into your mind."
What Jones clearly means is that Deion Sanders' strengths may not translate smoothly to the NFL.
Well, in his 14 seasons in the NFL, Sanders played with the Dallas Cowboys from 1995 to 1999. During his stint, Sanders won two Super Bowl rings with the team –one in 1995 and another in 1996.