Deion Sanders is one of the most accomplished sportspeople in history. Whether at the collegiate or professional level, football or baseball, Sanders found success at virtually every stop along the way. Then, turning his attention to head coaching, he has been a spectacular culture-setter in that capacity as well.
After starting at the high school level, he transformed the program at the FCS-level Jackson State before taking over the role at Colorado Buffaloes in 2023. In the two seasons since, he has turned the program on its head and brought it into top-25 discussions — and it has turned a former NFL MVP into an outright believer.
Cam Newton Is All Aboard the Deion Sanders Train
Cam Newton was a much-heralded prospect coming into the league, who had a terrific career for the Carolina Panthers, winning an MVP while leading them to a Super Bowl appearance.
Since retiring, he has transitioned into a career as a media analyst, with his hot takes and bold demeanor captivating fans all over. Speaking on Sanders’ coaching situation on his “4th&1” podcast, Newton made a controversial comment about his tenure so far.
“This is shocking because I didn’t think he was going to be here [at Colorado] this year. But I think the greatness of Deion Sanders as a coach will now come to fruition even more. Because he doesn’t have any vested interest to hold back on his coaching ability,” Newton said.
Sanders coached his sons — Shedeur and Shilo Sanders — as part of Colorado’s massive roster overhaul in 2023, bringing in more than 50 new players.
“I think they win a national championship without his sons there,” Newton said before he drew an otherworldly comparison. “He already is Bear Bryant.”
Bear Bryant is one of college football’s all-time greatest coaches. With six national championships and 13 conference titles over 25 years at Alabama, he set the bar for long-term dominance. Newton believes Sanders is tracking toward that level of influence, even if the wins haven’t stacked up yet.
“In this day and age, right now, coach Deion Sanders is Bear Bryant. His impact is definitely felt more than any other coach,” Newton said.
.@CameronNewton has BIG expectations for Deion’s coaching career 👀 pic.twitter.com/raD3mXcguH
— 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) April 4, 2025
When challenged on the lack of wins, Newton stayed firm.
“It’s only a test of time, though. Persona, performance, a P-word in between that is ‘Process.’ You gotta trust that process. Everywhere that Coach Prime has been, have they won? Has he made that program better — and it’s only a matter of time,” Newton said.
Sanders posted an 11-win season and a SWAC title in Year 2 at Jackson State. His turnaround at Colorado, taking a one-win team to nine wins in two years, is even more striking.
“I’m gonna give this person the flowers that he deserves because he deserves it. He is this day and age of Bear Bryant. Minus the wins, [but] the wins are going to come. I believe that much into Coach Prime because everywhere that he’s been, he’s won,” Newton said.
He closed it with two bold declarations: “You can’t name a more impactful coach in sports than Coach Deion Sanders … He’s done more with less. So when you give more more, what does that look like?”