Warren Sapp's salary details emerge, but is it a bargain for Deion Sanders and Colorado?
Deion Sanders and Colorado hired Warren Sapp as a graduate assistant coach. Now, details regarding what the Hall-of-Famer will be making in his new entry-level position have emerged.
According to a report from USA Today Sports, Sapp is set to make $150,000 annually ($12,500 per month) in his new role. A far cry from the near $59 million he made over the course of his 13-year NFL career. But ever since Sanders took over at Colorado, Sapp has expressed an interest to join his friend on the Folsom Field sidelines. It was a passion to be in coaching and now he has an opportunity.
To prepare for this, Sapp completed his undergraduate degree from Texas Seminary Christian University in December. To meet NCAA guidelines, the 51-year-old has reportedly enrolled in graduate level courses at CU Boulder.“Warren Sapp successfully completed all of the necessary steps required of anyone who is employed at CU Boulder, including a background check,” the university informed BuffZone.com in a statement. “Furthermore, Athletic Director Rick George personally met with Sapp to clearly articulate the department’s standards and expectations, to which he acknowledged and agreed.”
Despite never having coached before, the $150,000 Sapp will be earning is on the high-end for a graduate assistant football coach. However, how many graduate assistant coaches can say they have a bust in Canton, Ohio? None, currently.
Sapp brings with him a wealth of experience. The No. 12 overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft played nine seasons at defensive tackle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and four with the Oakland Raiders. A seven-time pro bowler and the NFL’s 1999 Defensive Player of the Year, Sapp finished his career with 96.5 sacks and 569 combined tackles in 198 games.
He joins a Colorado Football staff loaded with NFL experience. Sanders, cornerbacks coach Kevin Mathis, offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, and receivers coach Jason Phillip, and the new director of leadership and engagement George Hegamin each played in the NFL. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and defensive coordinator Robert Livingston both coached in the league.
ANTHONY KAZMIERCZAK