The Las Vegas Raiders reportedly aren’t in the Coach Prime sweepstakes.
Despite Deion Sanders’ growing success at the collegiate level with the Colorado Buffaloes, the Raiders have no interest in bringing the Pro Football Hall of Famer aboard as their next head coach, according to a report from The Athletic.
Sanders, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, has had a “very strong interest” in the job, despite the Raiders apparently not making the feeling so mutual.
Sanders, who turned Colorado’s football program around in just two seasons after a successful run at Jackson State, is someone many speculate about regarding a possible jump to coaching in the NFL.
Under his leadership, the Buffaloes improved from a dismal 1-10 record in 2022 to a 9-4 tally in 2024.
His ability to attract top-tier recruits has also been highly regarded in college.
Sanders helped develop Travis Hunter into a two-way superstar who secured the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
Hunter, as well as Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders — Deion’s son — are expected to be selected early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
While Sanders has expressed openness to exploring NFL opportunities, he has made it clear that any potential role would have to align with his desire to coach his sons, Shedeur and Shilo Sanders.
The latter Sanders, who started at safety for the Buffs, isn’t expected to be drafted early.
This stipulation by the elder Sanders may, of course, further complicate his candidacy for an NFL position.
The Raiders let go of head coach Antonio Pierce following this past season.
Pierce led the team to a 4-13 season this past year and will have the No. 6 pick in April’s NFL draft.
Pierce was promoted from interim head coach after leading the Raiders to a 5-4 record to end the 2023 campaign after taking over from previous head coach Josh McDaniels.
