Deion Sanders might coach another team in the future, but it won't be the Seminoles.

Jason Jones

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Deion Sanders could coach a different team someday, it just won’t be the Seminoles image

TL;DR

  • Florida State keeping Mike Norvell ends speculation about Deion Sanders returning.
  • Deion Sanders has previously expressed he does not consider himself a Florida State Seminole.
  • Sanders did reach out about the Florida State job in 2019 but was not hired.
  • It is unlikely Sanders would consider Florida State even if the job became available.

A report emerged Monday indicating that Florida State's decision to keep Mike Norvell on board effectively ends any chance of a reunion between the Seminoles and Colorado coach Deion Sanders. Out of respect, we won't mention or link to that specific article. Nevertheless, that notion is incorrect, and Deion Sanders has openly shared his thoughts regarding his previous team.

This proposal isn't novel, but it lacks foresight. The notion of Deion Sanders heading back to Florida State has been floated before, by this article and numerous others on ESPN and FS1. It makes sense on the surface. Folks appreciate a coach with existing connections to the team, even though Nick Saban has discouraged such prospects for college coaching candidates.

The flaw in the thinking was assuming that Sanders would welcome that move due to a good feeling about the team he played for. It’s a reasonable assumption if Sanders had not addressed this previously.

On August 9th, 2023 Coach Sanders held a press conference prior to his inaugural game vs TCU. In that press conference, former CU reporter Ariel Orsuto attempted to ask about Sanders (a Seminole) bringing in Warren Sapp (a Hurricane). Sanders took humorous exception to being called a “Seminole”.

While Sanders was having fun with the question and using the opportunity to promote HBCUs, it was clear he does not consider himself a Florida State Seminole.

While Sanders does not claim FSU, there was a time he wanted that job. According to Fox Sports, in 2019 Sanders wanted the job and reached out to Mickey Andrews and did secure an interview. He was reportedly very impressive but Florida State athletic director David Coburn chose against hiring Sanders.

Whether his not getting that job plays a part in the shift in thinking, only Sanders can answer. However, it is clear that Florida State does not hold the soft spot in Sanders’ heart that fans and media think.

Coach Sanders might someday choose to coach somewhere other than the University of Colorado. If that time comes, he will likely be pursued and have no shortage of suitors. Standing in that room when he made the above comments, it seems highly unlikely that Sanders would even consider Florida State, even if that job became available.

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