Champ Bailey on Deion Sanders’ Potential NFL Coaching Future

Deion Sanders and the NFL: A Matter of When, Not If

Champ Bailey believes it’s only a matter of time before Deion Sanders makes the jump from college football to the NFL. While speculation has swirled around Sanders potentially joining the Dallas Cowboys, Bailey remains skeptical about that particular fit. However, he has no doubt that once a serious offer comes Sanders’ way, he will take on his first head coaching role in the league.

“I think he’ll take it when he gets a real offer,” Bailey said in an exclusive interview on behalf of his partnership with Trulieve. “I don’t feel like he’s really gotten a formal offer yet. His name has been thrown around, but did he actually do an interview? Did he sit down with a team? He talked to Jerry [Jones], but it wasn’t serious.”

Why Sanders and the Cowboys Never Made Sense

The Cowboys ultimately went in another direction, hiring offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach. While many saw Sanders as a potential candidate, Bailey never believed it was a realistic pairing, citing the strong personalities of both Sanders and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

“I told someone who asked me about it, ‘He’d be a great hire, a great presence in the locker room.’ But I was surprised that the Cowboys were the team linked to him,” Bailey admitted. “From a marketing perspective, I get it. But I just know Jerry Jones—he likes to be in control, and so does Deion. When you really think about it, I never saw that match coming.”

Could Sanders Join the NFL in the Future?

Although Bailey doesn’t see Sanders coaching the Cowboys, he isn’t ruling out the possibility of an NFL coaching job elsewhere. Given Sanders’ history with the league—having played for multiple teams, including the Cowboys, Washington, and the 49ers—there could be opportunities for him down the road.

“Who knows? Coaching is a carousel,” Bailey said. “Look at Jerod Mayo—things changed quickly for him. It sounds like Deion wants to make the jump, so now it’s just a matter of whether the right team wants him. And I think they should.”

Brian Schottenheimer’s Unexpected Rise to Head Coach

Interestingly, Bailey has some history with Brian Schottenheimer, who will now take the reins in Dallas. The son of legendary coach Marty Schottenheimer, Brian was part of Washington’s coaching staff in 2001 when Bailey played there.

“It’s funny—when Deion left Washington, that’s when Marty Schottenheimer came in, and I think Brian was on our staff,” Bailey recalled. “He was much younger then, but it’s interesting how things work out. I’m surprised it took him this long to become a head coach. He’s been a great offensive mind in the league for a long time.”

As the 2025 NFL season approaches, all eyes will be on both Schottenheimer’s first year as a head coach and whether Sanders eventually makes the leap to the professional ranks. If Bailey is right, it won’t be long before “Coach Prime” finds himself leading an NFL franchise.