Deion Sanders eyeing two former NFL coaches for Colorado coaching staff

Deion Sanders is not done reshaping the Colorado Buffaloes. According to Sanders himself, during Big 12 media days, the team is eyeing veteran experience to help coach his young but talented roster. 

“Our coaching staff, this is without Byron Leftwich, which I’m praying that he does the right thing, and Mike Zimmer, we have 160 years of NFL experience,” Sanders said. “With those two added, that’s 204 years of NFL experience. And I want those years.”

Leftwich served as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator between 2019 and 2022, including during their 2020 Super Bowl run. In addition to his coaching career, Leftwich was also a former first-round NFL quarterback, with his playing career spanning from 2003 to 2012. 

Zimmer was the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator in 2024 and is no stranger to Sanders. The two worked together during Coach Prime’s tenure at Jackson State, where Zimmer was an analyst. Then, in 2023, he followed Sanders to Colorado and again served as an analyst for Colorado. Zimmer is remembered for his tenure as the Vikings’ head coach from 2014 to 2021. If hired by Sanders, he would bring a wealth of defensive experience and knowledge to a team looking to take the next step.

While Colorado and Sanders have not officially confirmed any of these hires, the buzz surrounding these moves has gained significant momentum in recent days. Reports suggest that Colorado wants to improve their staff with NFL experience, and adding Leftwich and Zimmer would do just that. 

With Colorado coming off its most successful season in recent years, the timing of these moves makes a lot of sense. Colorado has a host of new starters due to quarterback Shedeur Sanders, cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and others being drafted to the NFL or graduating, and with new faces entering the building, having leaders with years of experience will make this transition seamless. 

This approach of hiring experienced coaches reflects Deion’s broader vision for the program. From the beginning, Sanders has emphasized preparing his players for the NFL. 

Bringing in Leftwich, a former first-round pick and Super Bowl-winning coach, alongside Zimmer, a long-tenured coach in the NFL, would immediately improve the standard in Boulder. 

If these hires come to fruition, the Buffaloes would have one of the most NFL-experienced staffs in all of college football.