Deion Sanders appears to have won over Paul Finebaum.
ESPN’s college football analyst has criticized Sanders and the Colorado football program, which he claimed was “irrelevant” heading into the 2024 season. Finebaum blasted Coach Prime’s “disgraceful” decision to ban a reporter from asking questions at press conferences and called the coach “spineless” for claiming reporters are jealous of how much money players make through NIL deals.
However, Finebaum has warmed to Sanders as the Buffaloes continue to make strives in his second season. They improved to 6-2, cementing a bowl-game appearance, with a 34-23 win over Cincinnati on Saturday.
Reviewing Week 9 on The Matt Barrie Show, Finebaum praised Sanders for avoiding any more unflattering moments with media members.
“I think he has handled himself the way he, the Deion Sanders I’ve always known and admired,” Finebaum said, via On3. “I think he got a little bit too defensive of certain things, and it’s not a good exercise. Just coach your football team. Embrace them. Make them feel special because they’re playing for you. And that’s what we’re seeing.”
Finebaum called Colorado’s season a “remarkable story,” but he thinks the media will begin “pulling back” some of the immense attention directed toward Coach Prime’s program. He believes that will help Sanders focus on his team rather than outside distractions.
“I think he’s just coaching football right now, and you know what? He’s a really good coach,” Finebaum said.
Sanders has already led Colorado to its highest win total since 2016, and the Buffaloes will play in their third bowl game of the last 17 years. The Hall of Famer has avoided another late-season swoon by overseeing four victories in five Big 12 matchups.
Colorado has next weekend off before going to Texas Tech on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Related: Deion Sanders Earned Two Major Bonuses After Colorado’s Win Saturday