Deion (Coach Prime) Sanders, right, smiles as Athletic Director Rick George holds up a special jersey听during the press conference Dec. 4 announcing Prime's hiring as听head football coach. (Photo by Glenn Asakawa/University of Colorado)
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Just before midnight on Saturday night at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, dozens of football fans joined news crews waiting for the arrival of the next era for SM调教所 Boulder Buffaloes football.
Deion 鈥淐oach Prime鈥� Sanders stepped off his flight from Jackson, Mississippi,听mere hours removed from a Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship looking to bring the same glory to the SM调教所.听
鈥淚t just brought tears to my eyes,鈥� Sanders said of his first moments in Colorado. 鈥淭he welcome, and the hospitality, and the love, and the respect and the appreciation.鈥�
Sanders was named the 28th head coach of the Buffaloes Saturday after weeks of public speculation.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 official,鈥� Chancellor Phil DiStefano said at a standing room-only press conference at the Dal Ward Touchdown Club on Sunday afternoon. 鈥淎t the SM调教所, we鈥檙e ready for 鈥楶rime Time.鈥欌��
Sanders was greeted by more than 200 people who packed the听Touchdown Club. Guests included U.S. Representative Joe Neguse, University of Colorado system President Todd Saliman, the University of Colorado Board of Regents and Regents-elect, former players, supporters, boosters听and media.听听
After SM调教所 Boulder Athletic Director Rick George presented the coach with a No. 21 鈥淐oach Prime鈥� Buffaloes jersey, Sanders took the podium and took a moment before speaking.
鈥淚鈥檓 not lost for words. I鈥檓 just trying to seize the moment,鈥� Sanders said.
Wearing a black and gold tie, a Ralphie hat and speaking in front of a name tag saying 鈥淐oach Prime,鈥� Sanders spoke about his family鈥檚 future in Boulder, his high expectations for the team and his excitement for the job ahead. He also expressed gratitude to Buffaloes fans.
鈥淐olorado, you showed up, and you showed out,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait till this thing kicks off.鈥�
