Based on how Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders speaks about him, you’d think Alejandro Mata was another one of his sons.
While at Jackson State, the two developed a close relationship built on trust, mentorship and a good deal of laughs. When Sanders came to Boulder last winter, Mata wasn’t far behind.
“He’s probably one of the best coaches I’ve ever had, if not the best coach I’ve ever had,” Mata said of Sanders. “Knowing that I have his confidence to bring me here, I was like, ‘Holy crap, I must really be good.’ Coming here, following him is definitely good for the mind.”
Mata’s biggest moment in a Buffs uniform so far came on Saturday at Arizona State when the sophomore placekicker nailed a go-ahead 43-yard field goal with 38 seconds remaining. The clutch boot even helped Mata earn the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week award.
“Why do you think I brought him here? Mata don’t miss,” Sanders said following the 27-24 win.
While Sanders has confidence in his kicker’s on-field abilities, Mata shared he trusts Coach Prime as a mentor in his life outside of football.
“He’s always giving me life lessons and stuff,” Mata said. “If anytime I need some sort of help with life or with some decision that I have to make that’s tough, I’m always going to him just to make sure I’m making the right decision about it. It’s always great having him as a mentor.”
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