Is Deion Sanders really emerging as a candidate for the FSU football head coaching job?
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Thursday night their on-air colleague, Sanders, "has emerged as a candidate for the Florida State head coaching job."
Many were immediately skeptical the Seminoles would hire Sanders, with the Tallahassee Democrat reporting Friday, citing multiple anonymous sources, that Sanders is not a candidate for the job.
Sanders was a triple-sport star for the Seminoles who went on to enjoy a Hall of Fame NFL career.
His sole coaching experience is at the high school level and at all-star game events, with Sanders getting fired from his first post at a charter school he founded after he was accused of assaulting a school staffer, a claim he denied.
FSU fired Willie Taggart after 23 months, during which he posted a 9-12 record and went 0-3 vs. rivals. The school is in the process of negotiating final terms of an estimated $18 million after raising $20 million from donors who expect to compete for championships.
Elaborate recruiting rules and vast responsibilities running a college program make for a steep learning curve for even an experienced assistant coach.
The pressure not to miss on the next hire makes it more likely FSU will pursue an experienced head coach, with former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops the only name FSU athletics director David Coburn has confirmed is on the school's candidate list.
But former NFL analyst Herm Edwards may have opened the door for more people to move from broadcast ranks after leading Arizona State to success despite having no previous college experience. Edwards, however, had coached in the NFL.
Sanders didn't shut down the report by his colleagues, reacting to a tweet by rap legend Luther Campbell. The artist known as Uncle Luke has been a fixture on the South Florida high school football scene and is a vocal Miami Hurricanes fan.
Campbell posted on Twitter, "@DeionSanders Head Coach at @FSUFootball he will win a National Championship in two years. Only Nick Saban can compete with him in recruit. I'm pulling for you Brother."
Sanders responded, "Love ya my brother! Always have always will. Coming up in FLORIDA You made us think outside the box & dream big. I need those players from Miami. Just joking ... .. Not really."
