The University of Colorado is going to have two Pro Football Hall of Famers on its coaching staff in 2024, with the addition of Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Warren Sapp.
BuffZone’s Brian Howell confirmed that Sapp will join head coach and fellow Hall of Famer Deion Sanders’ staff as a graduate assistant. Sapp finished the requirements for Colorado’s graduate school in 2023. Sapp and Sanders are both from south Florida and have been friends for a long time. We learned from BuffZone’s Brian Howell that Sapp showed interest in joining the staff since Deion Sanders was hired by CU. Sapp also spent time around the Buffs last season, and he completed his undergraduate degree in December, graduating from Texas Seminary Christian University.
A video titled “Coach Sapp is FINALLY Here: First Day Back After The Break” posted to Well Off Media on YouTube shows Sapp’s introduction to the Buffaloes. The channel is run by one of Sanders’ sons, Deion Sanders Jr.
Sapp addressed the team in the video, expressing his excitement about joining as a senior quality control analyst. He also mentioned his plans to help the team improve their performance on the field.
Warren Sapp will be in his first coaching role, and as a graduate assistant, he will be allowed to provide on-field coaching with the Buffaloes.
Sanders, who is thought to be the greatest cornerback in history, had a 4-8 record in his first season as Colorado’s head coach in 2023. Before coming to Boulder, Sanders achieved a 27-6 record
in three seasons at Jackson State.
At the University of Miami, Sapp was a two-time All-American and received prestigious awards for his performance in 1994.
The Buccaneers selected Sapp with the No. 12 overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft, and he played 13 seasons in the NFL — nine with the Bucs and four with the NFL Oakland Raiders . During his time in Tampa Bay, Sapp was recognized with numerous accolades and led the team to its first Super Bowl championship in 2002. Sapp was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013 in his first year of eligibility, and both he and Sanders were named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team in 2019.
Apart from Sapp, there are four Colorado assistants who have experience playing in the NFL.
According to BuffZone’s Brian Howell, University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has officially added Warren Sapp to his coaching staff.
The Buccaneers selected Sapp with the No. 12 overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft and he played 13 seasons in the NFL — nine with the Bucs and four more with the Oakland Raiders.
In his first nine seasons in Tampa Bay, Sapp was a six-time NFL All-Pro, NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and led the franchise to its first Super Bowl championship in 2002. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013 in his first year of eligibility and both he and Sanders were named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team in 2019.
Sapp is one of four Colorado assistants with NFL playing experience.
“Both of CU’s coordinators — Pat Shurmur (offense) and Robert Livingston (defense) — are veteran NFL coaches,” Howell wrote. “Offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, cornerbacks coach Kevin Mathis and receivers coach Jason Phillips are also former NFL players.”
