In addition to recently bringing in a pair of high-profile former NFL figures in ex-Pro Bowl lineman Mark Schlereth and former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders also is drilling into his Colorado team why he wants the Buffaloes to present military-like qualities.
Specifically, Coach Prime wants his Colorado players to present and embody discipline.
“Why is that when we see a man dressed in his military garb we give him respect and that comes along with discipline?,” Sanders asked his players in a team setting before practice. “Have we ever seen a man dressed in his military fatigues not on point? Talk to me.”
To which the players responded in unison, “No.”
“Why would you dress in your uniform and not be on point?,” Sanders followed up.
“Discipline and commitment, discipline and commitment, discipline and commitment. What’s the standard here? We’re going to smart, tough, fast, disciplined with character.”
Sanders transitioned his comments on players’ appearances to the team’s on-field performance a year ago – and emphasized an improved standard is non-negotiable.
“The standard is the standard. We were one of the most undisciplined teams in college football last season, and I’ll be derned if we’re going to echo that again,” he said.
“One thing that we’re going to be: We’re going to work hard, we’re going to fight hard and we’re going to be disciplined, I promise you that.”
Both Schlereth and Mariucci addressed the Buffaloes after Coach Prime’s opening remarks; Mariucci, who coached both the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers, praised Prime’s guidance on the Colorado program and also spoke to his faith and the eyeballs across the country on the Buffaloes.
“I love what you’re doing here, because it’s incredible. Know this fellas, and I’m kind of an outsider but I’m an insider because I love you guys and know some of the staff, but the whole world is watching you guys,” Mariucci said. “This whole country is watching you, I’m just telling you right now. People don’t know what’s going on there that it’s happening so fast, and some people are on your side and saying this is really exciting and some people are just kind of hey, rooting against you because it’s not supposed to happen this fast.
“So, you guys are being watched. Do everything that this man (Coach Prime) asks you to do, because he’s asking you to do the right things.”
He then praised Prime’s faith-forward approach in video from inside the meeting.
“(Deion Sanders) taught me that God was really important,” Mariucci said. “This world is kind of messed up in some ways, so maybe there’s not enough God in this world right now. So, I love what you just did that started this meeting off.
“Just know that this world is watching you, and hey, you just show ‘em how good you really are.”