With the anticipation building around Colorado’s football program as Deion Sanders gears up for his third season at the helm, the spotlight is on some potential heavyweight additions to his coaching squad. At the 2025 Big 12 media day, Sanders dropped some intriguing hints about possibly bringing former NFL coaches Byron Leftwich and Mike Zimmer into the fold.
Let’s break it down. Byron Leftwich was expected to join Sanders’ coaching ranks as of March, but it seems the paperwork isn’t finalized yet. Sanders, in his characteristically candid way, shared that he’s holding onto hope – praying, in fact – that Leftwich will soon make it official.
Sanders’ eyes are also on Mike Zimmer. Known for his defensive prowess, Zimmer has already shared the coaching stage with Sanders – first at Jackson State and then briefly at Colorado in a consultancy role. Zimmer went back to the NFL in 2024 to lend his expertise to the Dallas Cowboys under Mike McCarthy as the defensive coordinator.
In dishing out stats, Sanders highlighted a combined 160 years of NFL experience on his staff. Add Zimmer and Leftwich to the mix, and you’re talking 204 years. It’s the kind of background that could give any college football program a major boost. Among the NFL pedigree already with Colorado, Pat Shurmur stands out as the offensive coordinator, having also been at the helm of the New York Giants at one point. Plus, they’ve got legends like Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp, taking the reins as the running backs coach and defensive pass rush coordinator, respectively.
Now, let’s focus on Byron Leftwich. While he doesn’t have any direct ties to Sanders, Leftwich has a storied past as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his tenure, the Buccaneers’ offense purred along as one of the league’s finest, steered by none other than Tom Brady. It’s no wonder Leftwich’s name pops up frequently in coaching conversations around the league, as seen in the search for offensive coordinators by the Seahawks and Patriots.
Although the prospect of adding either coach – Leftwich or Zimmer – to Colorado’s roster is exciting, Leftwich seems the more likely candidate. This, despite Zimmer’s history with Sanders, is swayed by recent developments. With the Cowboys opting not to retain Mike McCarthy, Zimmer has expressed his intentions to retire from coaching. So, if someone’s coming on board, odds are it’s Leftwich. For Sanders and Colorado, landing such prestigious names would be a significant coup, adding even more firepower to an already formidable coaching ensemble.
