Coach Prime opens up about life without his sons at Colorado

Brian Schaible

Coach Prime opens up about life without his sons at Colorado image

Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders may be entering his third season leading Colorado, but he admits the program feels different without his sons Shedeur and Shilo in the building. Appearing on the Colorado Coaches Show this week with co-host and Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson, Sanders reflected on the transition as both sons pursue their NFL dreams.

“I look [around] and sometimes and [I’m] trying to make sure Shilo’s on time in the [meeting] room…back there,” Sanders said with a smile.

Even though his sons are gone, Sanders said their daily conversations continue. “We talk every day, you know, me and my boys, we talk, me and my girls, we talk every day. So you’re going to miss them because you’re their dad and that’s the only life you’ve ever known. But it’s a pleasure not to have to worry about [them].”

Asked about the advice he’s passed along during NFL training camp, Sanders kept it simple: “This too shall pass. Just rock steady. It’s going to be all right. God got this. We’re Sanders. We’re going to have adversity, we’re going to go through trials and tribulations, but we always persevere. We always do.”

Sanders explained that he has always tried to prepare his children for unexpected setbacks, drawing from his own life. “I prepared my oldest daughter for adversity in relationships. And I’m like, baby, your daddy has persevered through two divorces. I’m still here. I’m still standing. I’m still happy. I’m still wonderful…I’ve gone through things that allow me to tell them what to expect, how to expect it, and when to expect it, and how to persevere through it. So it’s a beautiful thing.”

Ultimately, Sanders said he feels blessed to have coached his sons in college and confident they are ready for life ahead. “First of all, it’s a blessing to play with your kids, you know, and have them play for me and their collegiate careers. It’s a blessing, but they’re prepared for life…they really are.

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Brian Schaible

Brian Schaible is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience covering college and professional sports. Brian holds a master’s degree in journalism/public relations from Kent State University.