Coach Prime is Asking the Right Question and At the Right Time

With two losses over the course of the last three games, the national media frenzy surrounding University of Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders has cooled a bit, but that doesn’t mean the Hall of Fame motivator has let up when it comes to inspiring and challenging his team.

In a video released this week, “Coach Prime” is seen addressing his squad and warning them that their free ride at college won’t last forever.

“How long you all think that’s going to last?” he asks. “It’s going to be over with soon. What you going to do? What’s the game plan,” Sanders presses.

He reminds them that because of their football scholarships, they’re receiving their tuition, food, rent – everything they need – for free. He reminds them there’s a big difference between what we need and what we want.

“I don’t like treating y’all like children,” he tells the young men. “We’re trying to raise men. Right now, everything you need is taken care of. How long do y’all think that’s gonna last? When it’s over with, what’s the game plan?”

Coach Sanders stands with his arms folded, asking repeatedly, “What’s the plan? What’s the plan?”

We hear one player answer, telling the coach he plans to work for an electric company.

“How you going to do that?” his coach presses, to which the player responds, “Trade school.”

The rest of the auditorium appears silent, though the video has been edited.

Sanders then goes on to suggest the players shouldn’t be mad at him, but should instead be investing in themselves.

Throughout the season, Coach Sanders has stressed the fact that he’s not just trying to prepare his players to win games – but also win at life.

Following the team’s blowout loss to Oregon in week four, a reporter pressed him for an update on injured safety Shilo Sanders, one of his two sons on the roster. Media wanted to know if he’d back in time for the next week’s game. Sanders said he didn’t know – and that his prospects for the next game wasn’t his concern – it was his health.

It’s encouraging and inspiring to see someone of Sanders’ stature and position mentor his men – and make no apologies while doing so.

It might be true that Coach Prime’s style and tactics aren’t everyone’s cup of tea – but the questions he’s asking and the love and care he’s exhibiting for his players is precisely what we need more of in our society today.

In an era when too many young men waste their time playing video games, consuming pornography, and wallowing or meandering throughout their days without meaning or motivation, Coach Sanders is asking the right question and at the right time.

It might also be asked of us:

What’s your plan?

The Lord has blessed each of us with a finite number of days here on earth. He’s blessed us with gifts and talents, and has a plan and purpose for each of us. Are we spending our time, talent and treasure well – or are we frittering it away?

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11, ESV).

What’s your plan?

Photo from Getty Images.