Deion Sanders is a no-nonsense head coach. You either give 100% in the Colorado Buffaloes squad or get intercepted. Compromising on accountability is a big no-no in Deion’s program – the Colorado Buffaloes head to Salt Lake City for their yearly matchup against the Utah Utes. Drawing energy after a week of rest, Deion is all charged up and wants his boys to recharge their batteries, too. But some fail to match Coach Prime’s standards, and in comes a stern warning.

On October 23, BuffsStampede.com publisher Adam Munsterteiger tweeted a quote from Deion’s interview with Colorado’s director of audio broadcasting, Mark Johnson. Now, for the ones who could not return to Deion’s camp on time, here came a fiery message from the head coach. “And you got to get back on Sunday. A couple guys didn’t make it. There will be some consequences. You will see those consequences. You will say, ‘I wonder why?’ That’s why,” said Deion.

However, the Buffs’ head coach did not reveal the players’ names on his target list. But we know it’s more than one. Giving less than 100% isn’t in Deion Sanders’ DNA. That’s because he got a taste of the real potential of his program. After going 9-4 last season, Colorado is chasing its second straight winning season and bowl game appearance. That’s a feeling they witnessed last year, since the 2004 and 2005 Bowl days. So, Deion has now developed a hustle and bustle culture in Boulder.

Now we understand how his ex-cornerback Cormani McClain did not fit the picture. Even though McClain was the one to swap wagons, after claiming to feel unappreciated in Colorado, he displayed huge discipline issues in Billy Napier’s Florida. Deion said without mincing, “Some people out here just out here. They already quit. They’ll shut it down because they know they have no future in this.”

Forget showing up as one’s best version during the games. Deion wants that during the practice, too. For example, his quarterback, Kaidon Salter, was sacked 8 times and threw four interceptions before the Iowa State game. But against the Cyclones, Deion’s quarterback racked up 255 passing yards, his second-highest for the season, and completed 16 of the 25 passes. However, Deion keeps Salter grounded, preparing him for the task ahead.

Instead, he keeps pushing him to bring out better plays. “Well, he’s capable of playing like that each and every week, but it starts in practice. You want to see the consistency in practice,” said Deion during a CBS Colorado podcast. Forget his players; Deion’s own son didn’t get spared from his father’s tough love. 

No one gets a free pass under Deion Sanders, not even his son

The Sanders kids have often dealt with the ‘nepo baby’ attacks. But every time, Deion has proved he treats his kids just like any other player in the camp. If others are walking the path of discipline and non-negotiable rules, Shedeur and Shilo also had to sign up for that. For instance, Shilo was running 10 minutes late for a meeting.

And obviously, this did not sit well with Deion. He took matters into his own hands and did not think twice before benching the then-Buffs safety for a championship game. In an interview, Coach Prime recalled, “I had a rule that if you’re late, you ain’t playing. My meeting starts at 7 O’clock, they better have their bu— in their seats by 6:45 …. because I’m trying to prepare them for life. My son (Shilo) came in 6:55. I said ‘get out.’ He didn’t play in the championship game because my rules are my rules … He understood, he didn’t like it but it is what it is.”

There is no word for ‘favoritism’ in Deion’s coaching book. However, discipline and setting high standards are not always enough. Sometimes, it’s just fate. Deion will have to eliminate unfit players as they prepare to face Utah. 

On October 22, Scott Procter tweeted the “First Colorado vs. Utah player availability report of the week.” The “out” list comprises 17 players, including OL Tyler Brown, CB Kyle Carpenter, and DE Samuel Okunlola. Deion might lose his sleep on questionable players like Nikhil Webb Walker, Anquin Barnes Jr., and Tawfiq Thomas. The ones who still have some hope of making a comeback are Teon Parks, Amari McNeil, Brandon Davis-Swain, and a couple of others.

It’s been a desert of despair for Colorado in Salt Lake City; there has not been a single win since 2011, and not more than 17 points scored there since 1962. Can Deion Sanders’ boys quench the thirst this time?