Deion (Coach Prime) Sanders, right, smiles as Athletic Director Rick George holds up a special jerseyĢżduring the press conference Dec. 4 announcing Prime's hiring asĢżhead football coach. (Photo by Glenn Asakawa/ĄÖ²„“«Ć½)
Ģż
Just before midnight on Saturday night at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, dozens of football fans joined news crews waiting for the arrival of the next era for CU Boulder Buffaloes football.
Deion āCoach Primeā Sanders stepped off his flight from Jackson, Mississippi,Ģżmere hours removed from a Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship looking to bring the same glory to the ĄÖ²„“«Ć½ Boulder.Ģż
āIt just brought tears to my eyes,ā Sanders said of his first moments in Colorado. āThe welcome, and the hospitality, and the love, and the respect and the appreciation.ā
Sanders was named the 28th head coach of the Buffaloes Saturday after weeks of public speculation.Ģż
āItās official,ā Chancellor Phil DiStefano said at a standing room-only press conference at the Dal Ward Touchdown Club on Sunday afternoon. āAt the ĄÖ²„“«Ć½ Boulder, weāre ready for āPrime Time.āā
Sanders was greeted by more than 200 people who packed theĢżTouchdown Club. Guests included U.S. Representative Joe Neguse, ĄÖ²„“«Ć½ system President Todd Saliman, the ĄÖ²„“«Ć½ Board of Regents and Regents-elect, former players, supporters, boostersĢżand media.ĢżĢż
After CU Boulder Athletic Director Rick George presented the coach with a No. 21 āCoach Primeā Buffaloes jersey, Sanders took the podium and took a moment before speaking.
āIām not lost for words. Iām just trying to seize the moment,ā Sanders said.
Wearing a black and gold tie, a Ralphie hat and speaking in front of a name tag saying āCoach Prime,ā Sanders spoke about his familyās future in Boulder, his high expectations for the team and his excitement for the job ahead. He also expressed gratitude to Buffaloes fans.
āColorado, you showed up, and you showed out,ā he said. āI canāt wait till this thing kicks off.ā
