A promising start to his debut season as a Power 5 head coach is fizzling at its end, but Colorado coach Deion Sanders remains undaunted.
And he's boasting of major plans for his second iteration of Colorado football in 2024.
In his midweek radio program ahead of his team's 2023 regular-season finale at Utah, Sanders spoke publicly about the expectation that Sapp is going to join the Buffaloes in the coming year.
"I'm excited about Coach Sapp," Coach Prime said on his "Buffaloes Primetime Radio Show." "He's a dear friend that I love to life, and he's going to be invaluable as to what he brings to the table.
"The kids are going to love him; as far as the recruits, they are going to love him."
Sanders has yet to specify the potential role that Sapp is going to fill, and it's unclear if Sapp already is qualified to be a full-time, on-field assistant coach -- should Sanders have an opening on the defensive side of the ball.
After starring at Miami in college, Sapp became an All-Pro, Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion in a career primarily spent with the franchise that drafted him -- Tampa Bay -- before he closed out his playing days with the Oakland Raiders.
Sanders isn't only sending a message to future recruits about Sapp; Coach Prime also is emphasizing Colorado's plan as it pertains to Name, Image and Likeness opportunities.
"We want players that want us," Sanders said during his Tuesday press conference. "... We want players that want to be a Colorado Buffalo and come here for all the right reasons. ... We're not going to buy anybody whatsoever. That's not how we approach it."
Sanders leaves no wiggle room in his message.
"You come to Colorado to play football for me and the Colorado Buffaloes because you really want to play football and receive a wonderful education," Coach Prime continued. "All the business stuff is going to happen on the back-end, if that is the case.
"We are not an ATM."
Colorado, 4-7, finishes at Kyle Whittingham's Utah squad. The Buffaloes are scheduled to start the 2024 season at home against perennial Football Championship Subdivision power North Dakota State before traveling to longtime rival Nebraska in Week 2.