Coach Prime puts an emphasis on "new focus" to start the 2024 offseason

The Buffaloes are upgrading their mindset early this year

Deion Sanders Jr/Well Off Media

The offseason for Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes has a very different feel compared to last year. There was not going to be a repeat of Coach Prime setting the college football world on fire. However, what has happened in a short amount of time speaks volumes. It hasn't been the same heat as his introductory press conference, along with the follow-up that featured the famous “I’m bringing my luggage and its Louis” line, which people would talked about for the eight months afterwards, but it all hits the same.    

ESPN's Spring Game coverage was bigger than anyone expected and went beyond an intrasquad scrimmage. It was a coming out party for "America's newest team on the scene" in Boulder. Then the second wave of transfers came through. The hype would only grow throughout the summer and hit a fever pitch at just after Midnight local time during a double-overtime thriller in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. We all know how it ended, and even when things did not go well in the win column, Coach Prime’s Buffs were still the talk of college football, if not the nation. It's the primary reason why he was named SI's 2023 Sportsperson of the Year. 

The Buffaloes last season can be summed up with a few descriptors. Hype. Anticipation. Renewed optimism. Resetting expectations. By and large though, 2023 in hindsight, was exactly what was promised. Prime came to Boulder and completely flipped a program seemingly overnight. Were there some with lofty year one expectations? Yes. Being able to turning around a one-win team is not easy. With early excitement and optimism came flawed predictions. The College Football Playoff was always a pipe dream. It has nothing to do with Coach Prime, his staff, or how talented the players could be. Going from worst-to-first was lofty, no matter how you slice it. Nine wins and a noteworthy bowl game was also a tad out there. As it turned out, the team would fall short of being bowl eligible

It is an understatement to suggest that a 4-8 record did not meet the expectations of the high-profile coach. A year ago, Sanders began the task of reshaping the very fiber of the CU Buffaloes Football program. The process started with a change in culture, which fed into a change in expectations. 

Overall, last year was about changing the attitude about CU athletics, beginning with but not limited to football and that started with Prime. He has not been shy about commenting on the ups and downs as well as what needs to happen moving forward for his CU transformation to continue going according to plan. Sanders has mentioned more than once about meeting and exceeding expectations this year. He even said, "We've got to get Peggy (Coppom) to a Bowl game next year." The Buffs 99-year-old mega fan has been one of Prime's bigger supporters. So, it seems expectations have been set in more ways than one. 

Believe it or not, this all started at the conclusion of CU's fourth game this past season. Colorado was embarrassed by a Dan Lanning's Oregon Ducks with the bulk of the nation tuned in to watch the letdown slowly progress. One could argue that loss for CU was bigger and motivated by more than football. Lanning's eyes told a story that day as he told his players "They're fighting for click, we're fighting for win." Even after a game that was likely the worst loss Coach Prime has been a part of for decades, he responded in exactly the way a man in his position with his pedigree should have done.

“It was a good old-fashioned butt whoopin'. No excuses," Sanders said. Their coaches did a phenomenal job preparing their team. Obviously, we didn’t. That was a real old fashioned butt kicking… People around the country will say they needed this to humble themselves. We weren’t arrogant or anything, we’re just confident people. If our confidence offends your insecurity, that’s a problem with you. But it's not something that was ‘needed’… Teams are trying to beat me; they aren’t trying to beat our team. They keep forgetting I’m not playing anymore. I had a great career. I’m serious. I have a gold jacket I didn’t buy… It is what it is, and I signed up for it, so let’s go… I understand and I analyze everything we have and everything we need. One thing I can say honestly and candidly is you better get me now. ‘Cause this is the worst we’re gonna be.”

Even going back to October of last year, Coach Prime had begun the process of recognizing where they are versus where they want to be. The season after that point, did not go the way any CU coach or player had hoped it would. As with any program, there is a period of reflection to evaluate and strike up a plan of action. It's clear that Sanders plan of action includes attention to detail, camaraderie, and doing things as a unit.

Last season, there was definitely a massive upgrade in talent. However, a great deal of why it was stifled was a lack of cohesion. Shedeur Sanders carried himself as of the nation's best QBs. That doesn’t mean much though when he can’t get even three seconds to move through his progressions. The pass rush had moments, but could not create consistent pressure to force mistakes. It's all about eleven guys operating as one in each phase that seems to be the huge focus presently

The first confirmation that Prime is focusing on his team coming together as one is the military presence. He did not plant a flag anywhere by bringing in military personnel to assist in training. It's not even a new idea either. Like many things Sanders does, it’s the 'how' not the 'what' that is important. 

If you've followed Well Off Media, you’ve seen evidence of this. The specific drills and commentary both revolve firmly around executing as a unit. One of the gentlemen invited to assist even told the players the Marines are never successful individually. No matter how good an individual is, they cannot win or complete the mission by themselves. They have to operate as a single unit. That’s why most of the drills focus on teamwork and attacking the problem as a unified group. The log drills or carrying a man on your shoulders, and wheel barrowing your teammate. All of this now is about the team operating as one instead of spending a ton of time on individual work.

The second bit of evidence is Prime speaking out early. On two separate occasions, Well Off Media has shared moments of Coach Prime getting on them about “coming together” and creating camaraderie within the meeting rooms and the cafeteria. Coach Prime understands what is needed to ascend to where they want to be. And that begins with a great deal of unity as a team long before the Spring Game. 

Everything about the 2023 offseason felt rushed or forced, out of necessity. They had to get it done and try to compete starting immediately. The only ones crying foul were those traditionalists wanted Prime to give the holdovers more years on the books to prove their worth. Not only was that not a winning formula, but it reeked of college football from decades ago. However, having a melting pot roster led to concerns that revealed themselves midseason. Coach Prime has become more vocal and addresing the teamwork factor by setting boundaries.

“We got to get better men. Quit slackin," Coach Prime told his players via Well Off Media. Quit being in here just getting by. If you wanna tap out, then tap out so we can replace you right now.

There was nothing mediocre in Sanders' message, which is being heard louder by a few of the newcomers. Some of the players are putting their leadership qualities on display early. About a week ago, Houston transfer Kahlil Benson could be heard yelling, "There are guys here to take your spot and I'm telling you, I'm one of them ones." It's a shared intensity that was not present this time last year. We are also seeing improved engagement and execution from some of the big names. 

Shedeur Sanders is leading the charge and showing why he's considered one of the best QBs going into the 2024 season. Travis Hunter has been killing the military workouts without as much as a moment of difficulty. Maybe the biggest surprise is from last year's top-ranked flip, Cormani McClain. When the Florida five-star arrived in Boulder, it took him over a week to adapt to the environment. He looked gassed and overwhelmed most of the summer. It was midseason before he would get significant playing time. Mostly due to a decision that Coach Prime admitted at the time was more the result of injuries than the result of him earning his shot. Now, McClain looks like a veteran flying around on the field. Like Hunter, he does not seem to be phased by these new intense workouts.

One of the messages from Coach Prime is that players need to start checking each other instead of waiting for a coach to address issues. During a lift session, coach Maurice Sims spent some time talking about helping each other out in various non-football related ways. Then Benson jumped in and spoke out again, this time about keeping each other accountable. Even outside of specific position groups. “If ya’ll wanna be better than 4-8, we’ve got to work together.”

One narrative all last season was that Colorado looked small. There's not a ton anyone outside of the practice field can confirm by watching college football players run around in shorts and t-shirts in February, but there's a noticeable difference. Many players on this team do not look small based on any context. Chidozie Nwankwo looks absolutely massive and takes on the nickname "Block Bully" for a reason. 

Every offensive line transfer looks large. Yakiri Walker, looks noticeably bigger than all of his 2023 counterparts. Even the top-rated freshman offensive lineman Jordan Seaton looks the part and does not seem to be phased by the step up in conditioning.

The message dropped by Sanders has been received. One way or the other, the tone is different this year and is clearly not falling on deaf ears. There are still some additions yet to be introduced. Coach Prime has teased a new defensive coordinator for weeks and said he's looking to pull from the NFL. From where this program was two years ago to where it is now, changes are taking place. No one is making any bold claims about how 2024 will shake out, but just know that what we’re seeing now is different for the better.