The white buffalo is often an omen because the birth takes place in the most unexpected places and often happens amongst the poorest of people. In the majority of the Indigenous American culture, a white buffalo calf is a sign that prayers are being heard and that the promises of the prophecy are being fulfilled. The birth is sacred, to the Indigenous American culture, because it brings a sense of hope and is a sign that good times are about to happen. (Source: White Buffalo Significance)
There is no better way to describe the significance of Coach Prime, Deion Sanders, and what he means to the University of Colorado Football program. While the struggles of the Indigenous American people are not akin to the riches of college football. Colorado was the most talent depleted program in the Power 5 conferences and was arguably the worst team in 2021 in FCS football, the donor/alumni base was not giving any longer and things only looked like they would get worse. CU Football lacked hope and it appeared many more years of struggle were on the horizon. With Coach Prime's hiring at CU hope is at an all time high for Colorado Football.
Coach Prime brings good vibes with him. He exudes positive energy, excitement and a vision far greater than what many can grasp. Coach Prime brings an immediate exposure to the herd that appeared to vanish after nearly two decades of famine in Buffalo nation. If you do a search of Colorado football from the past 18 months, prior to Coach Prime's hire, anywhere from Google to Podcasts to YouTube, there isn't much besides what Brian Howell and Adam Munsterteiger have continued to grind out. All podcasts regarding CU football had vanished with the most followed fanbased podcast, Freebalin, saying No Mas and signing off in July. With the diehard fans checking out and having no longer anything nice to say or any sense of hope the Buffaloes needed the great white buffalo to be born.
The whispering winds of November came blowing down the Flatiorns and December 3, 2022 Colorado Football got their great white buffalo with the hiring of Coach Prime. But Coach Prime brings more than hope to Colorado Football, it brings hope to the University of Colorado and state. Coach Prime brings exposure and a curious eye from non-football fans and NFL only fans and the buzz is deafening. Do a search for just the past month with Coach Prime and Colorado and it's a thunderous rumbling of the Rocky Mountains that spreads across the country and across all walks of life. The exposure CU is getting in less than a month is likely more than what their 1990 National Championship brought. There is no need to pump the brakes here, the internet, social media and availability of information at your hand all day makes this the most buzz Colorado Football has ever seen. Prime being one of the most flashy athletes with something to say and never one to shy away from a camera has put a spotlight on Boulder and no matter what social media avenue you navigate, you can't not see what Coach Prime is doing.
Okay, so what has Coach Prime done exactly besides generate views and create this deafening buzz? Well, he took one of the most talent depleted programs and currently has the 3rd ranked transfer portal recruiting class and 22nd ranked class overall. The 4-5 star recruits looking at CU and putting the Buffs in their Top 5-10 went from almost zero to dozens. Why? Coach Prime is an electrifying man that preaches to young men and sells a vision of what they can become under his guidance. It is a vision much like previous CU coach, Bill McCartney, sold where their faith in God and using their amazing ability to speak and relate to young men is almost scary in what they share... HOPE. The difference between the two is Coach Prime doesn't need to build up a program to show this vision, he has built up his own brand to show this is capable anywhere with the vision he holds. His window isn't 3-4 years down the road like it was for Coach Mac and would be with a Ryan Walters, Purdue's recent hire and former CU player, type of hire at Colorado but it's immediate because he can battle anyone for a top recruit and get transfer portal players to make the move that just doesn't happen Day 1 at any other 1-11 team.
CU's record the last two years means nothing going forward. The transfer portal rules changing to allow a player immediate eligibility means you can no longer measure a team by returning starters and last year's record. USC and TCU both used the transfer portal to go from disappointing 2021 seasons to Top 10 2022 seasons. TCU went from 5-7 to 12-1 with a new coach, hitting the portal hard and using the talent that remained to build one of the best two deep teams in college football. CU has a much smaller talent pool that remains, but has grabbed players in the transfer portal to solve their issues at Quarterback, Wide Receiver, TE and Offensive Line. This offense may have only 1-3 returning starters which is a good thing for one of the worst scoring offenses in college football. Pieces have been added to the worst scoring defense in college football, but additional talent will be needed to this group to make it as exciting as what this offense appears to have ahead. Fortunately Charles Kelley, former FSU Defensive Coordinator and Alabama top recruiter and assistant, brings years of knowledge and a regular Top 40 defense ability with him and he can recruit and fill the holes he needs to make his defense as strong as what the offense appears capable of becoming immediately.
Prior to Deion's hire, there were 3 things Colorado needed in order to improve: Coaching, Talent and Money. I hammered this every time I talked to someone about CU football's needs and why I felt Coach Prime was the best man to solve those issues. The exposure on social media is getting talent, money and great coaches into the program. Coach Prime's glow at CU has brought hope and what he's done in the short time here shows that good times are about to happen.
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