Deion Sanders definitely wanted the Colorado Buffaloes to be in the Big 12. This much is clear. The Buffaloes eventually did return to their former conference, but for some time, chancellor Phil DiStefano and athletic director Rick George wanted to stay in the Pac-12.
Obviously, patience had its limits. Colorado wanted more specifics from Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff, and it didn’t get them. DiStefano and George had enough. The desire to stay in a unified Pac-12 gave way to anger and dissatisfaction with the conference for its footdragging. Kliavkoff’s lack of action proved to be costly.
Deion Sanders wanted the Big 12 because he wanted to be able to recruit in the state of Texas. Big 12 membership would put Texas much more in play as a recruiting area, whereas staying in the Pac-12 would have required Colorado to recruit more in California.
Rick George did eventually move Colorado to the Big 12, so Deion wanted to thank his boss in Boulder, the man who hired him.
Buffaloes Wire passed along Coach Prime’s immediate reaction:
“If everything I’m hearing is true, I applaud our (AD) Rick George for choosing the best scenario for all athletics at CU,” Sanders told 247Sports. “This move is a game changer and we plan on changing the game.”
Everyone is now waiting to see if any other Pac-12 schools will follow Colorado to the Big 12.
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