In a move that adds another layer of star power to the Colorado Buffaloes coaching staff, NFL legend Warren Sapp has joined as a graduate assistant.
Sapp, best known for him time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Deion Sanders’ coaching staff in Boulder.
#NFL legend Warren Sapp has joined Deion Sanders' coaching staff in Colorado.
🔥🔥
Two Hall of Famers on the staff for the Buffs.
pic.twitter.com/NeGYtMVHrh— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 1, 2024
While Sapp certainly carries a good amount of baggage due to his troubles over the years, there’s no denying his greatness as a player.
The Super Bowl champion is a seven-time Pro Bowler and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
Warren Sapp Highlights anyone❓❓❓
Video credit goes to Buc It Productions on YouTube but I added the audio..
you’re welcome 😎#GoBucs
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/KxYHzljSrH
— Josh (@JRod__22) August 18, 2023
Having recently earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Seminary Christian University, Sapp is now enrolled in graduate classes at Colorado, where he will assist Sanders in coaching and mentoring the Buffs.
Buff Nation!
Who can help our guy @WarrenSapp with golf, biking, hunting, and fishing recommendations/connections?
Help out our newest member on the staff! pic.twitter.com/MVMbQXlIIb
— Folsom Frenzy Podcast (@FolsomFrenzyPod) April 2, 2024
“We’re gonna pour concrete because you know I like nice stuff,” Sapp said in a video posted on social media.
“We’re building mansions here. So, that’s why I’m here: To help you build your mansion and foundation. Anything you need, come see me.”
🦬 BIG Warren Sapp is finally in Boulder 🦬
"Championship time, how bout that?" #SkoBuffs 🦬 pic.twitter.com/5IFJxFonHK
— 🔴⚪⚫ (@UncleDooky) April 1, 2024
While Sapp humorously referred to himself as the “senior quality control analyst” in the video, the university clarified that he would serve in a graduate assistant role, allowing him to directly coach players on the field, a distinction from the role of an analyst.
Sanders had hinted at Sapp’s addition to the coaching staff back in December, shortly after Sapp’s graduation from TSCU.
This addition underscores Sanders’ strategy of bringing in former NFL talents to his coaching staff.
Both offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and defensive coordinator Robert Livingston have made names for themselves in the NFL, and offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, also a former NFL player, adds further expertise to the Buffs staff.
Coach Sapp enjoying the Colorado weather!! #SkoHard #SkoSapp #PrimeEffect @WarrenSapp @BiggDoggChico pic.twitter.com/Da7OzJItjv
— BiggDoggChico (@ChicoCleveland) April 2, 2024
Sapp’s NFL career spanned 13 seasons after being drafted in the first round in 1995.
He garnered numerous accolades and is universally-considered one of the most dominant defensive players of his era.
Before his NFL stardom, Sapp was a force to be reckoned with at the college level, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the best defensive player in the nation during his time at Miami.
🚨BOOM🚨https://t.co/ruQQmm3vaG@NFL HALL OF FAMER @WarrenSapp HAS OFFICIALLY JOINED THE @CUBuffsFootball COACHING STAFF‼️@DeionSanders GOT ANOTHER FLORIDA BOY COMING TO BOULDER🧳#UpTheSkoo 🦬 pic.twitter.com/2ikcYWYOf3
— BurdsEyeView (@baseballdriven_) March 30, 2024
What are your thoughts on Sapp joining the Colorado coaching staff? … Do you think he’ll be impactful? … Is he long for the grind of the coaching world?
As far as Sanders, he is clearly in need of a bounce-back season in 2024.
Will the Buffs take a step forward? … Do they have any shot to contend for a playoff spot? … Or will their hype balloon be popped once again???