Photo: Derek White/Getty Images
<p><a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/deion-sanders-advises-the-ncaa-to-extend-college-coaching-staffs-as-athletes-continue-to-earn-nil-money/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deion Sanders</a>, aka Coach Prime, is officially embarking on a new journey that&#8217;ll take him from Mississippi up to Colorado.</p>
<p>The former NFL star&#8217;s specifically leaving his head coaching job at Jackson State University (JSU) for another opportunity at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder).</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">The End Of An Era At Jackson State University</h3>
<p>Coach Prime began serving as JSU&#8217;s head football coach back in 2020, and he became quite an influential force on the campus.</p>
<p>From securing back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference (<a href="https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/jackson-state/2022/12/04/deion-sanders-colorado-jackson-state-football-score-southern-swac-championship/69681967007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SWAC</a>) titles to consistently highlighting the team on <a href="https://blavity.com/7-times-jsu-football-team-showed-out-on-social-media?category1=blavity-u-life-style&;category2=news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social media</a>, Deion pulled through and really helped JSU shine.</p>
<p>Additionally, Deion was a major voice during the Jackson water crisis, as <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/deion-sanders-speaks-out-amid-ms-water-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Shade Room</em></a> previously reported. His efforts even went as far as donating <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/deion-sanders-donates-half-of-his-salary-to-jackson-state-to-complete-football-facility/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">half of his salary</a> to help complete a new football facility.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Deion Sanders Made Strides As An Advocate For HBCU Athletes</h3>
<p>On top of his work with the JSU football team, Deion has also proven himself to be an advocate for athletes at HBCUs all across the country.</p>
<p>Back in 2021, he blasted the <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/deion-sanders-speaks-out-after-its-mentioned-that-there-were-no-hbcu-players-selected-during-the-nfl-draft/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL</a> for not selecting any HBCU athletes during the draft, and he recently spoke about about how HBCU sports should be be open to everyone while speaking with <a href="https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/football/deion-sanders-talks-hbcus-touching-the-majority-not-just-the-minority" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>FanNation</em></a>.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;We should open our minds and hearts to everyone and show them love and respect and appreciation. I feel like that&#8217;s what we should do with HBCUs. We’ve got to open our hearts and minds to changes—to different ideologies and just different thoughts and proceed with those thoughts and make them manifest.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Twitter Has Mixed Feelings About The News</h3>
<p>With Deion Sanders doing so much for JSU and the larger HBCU community, him heading to CU Boulder was definitely big news, and it triggered a series of online responses.</p>
<p>Admittedly, there were some people who felt as though Deion should have stayed at the Mississippi HBCU rather than embarking for a Colorado PWI.</p>
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<p>However, this sentiment was largely drowned out by those who understood Coach Prime&#8217;s career move, especially considering reports surrounding the pay difference.</p>
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<p>It was also pointed out that Deion has already done plenty for Jackson State, and he can&#8217;t be expected to stay there forever.</p>
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<p>People also shared that they had &#8220;mixed feelings&#8221; about Coach Prime leaving, as—while they&#8217;re happy for him—they&#8217;re upset to see him part ways with JSU.</p>
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<p>All in all, though, most Twitter users appeared to be on Deion&#8217;s side.</p>
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<p>Shoutout to Coach Prime for all that he&#8217;s done, and we wish him the best of luck at CU Boulder.</p>
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