Deion Sanders: I wouldn't be able to coach today's pros

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders doesn't think he could coach NFL players given what he believes is a lack of work ethic compared to his playing days in the 1990s.

"I couldn't coach pro ball, because the way they practice, the way they go about it, I couldn't take it, as a man and as a football enthusiast, and I care about the game," Sanders told former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman on Sanders' new weekly show, "We Got Time Today," according to USA Today's Brent Schrotenboer.

"The game is still providing for Troy and I, so there is no way I could allow that to happen on my watch. That would be tough."

Sanders was linked to the Dallas Cowboys' head coaching job after the club decided not to re-sign Mike McCarthy after their 2024 season. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones spoke with Sanders about the position but never interviewed him formally. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was promoted to head coach last month.

The Hall of Fame cornerback was on the Cowboys' last Super Bowl-winning team alongside Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith.

Aikman was among several former Cowboys who thought Sanders would be "a really good fit" as the club's head coach due to his large personality.

Sanders previously said during an interview on "60 Minutes" in 2022 that he prefers to mentor younger players and those who truly love the game. The Buffaloes coach also mentioned he would consider coaching at the pro level if he could coach his sons, Shilo and Shedeur Sanders. Shedeur is considered a candidate to be one of the first quarterbacks off the board in the 2025 draft.

Colorado improved to 9-4 in 2024 after posting a 4-8 mark in its first year with Sanders on the sideline.