FORT WORTH, Texas — Deion Sanders picked up an endorsement from TCU star running back Zach Evans to become the program’s next head football coach on Friday.
Evans, the highest-ranked recruit in program history, didn’t mince words, posting on Twitter: “We want @DeionSanders.”
The tweet was liked by fellow TCU players including center Steve Avila, safety Bud Clark and defensive end Landyn Watson. Former players, including David Bolisomi and Blaize Foltz, also liked the message.
Sanders is in the mix for the job, as the Star-Telegram reported earlier this week. One high-ranking source said Sanders is expected to make the cut for the second round of interviews after speaking with athletic director Jeremiah Donati on Monday.
Sanders has impressed the college football world in his short time at Jackson State, landing the highest-ranked FCS and HBCU recruiting class in history in 2021.
He would make an immediate impact on TCU’s recruiting front and generate more buzz around the program than any other candidate.
Donati is playing it close to the vest as far as the favorites at this point in the process, but he is listening to feedback and input from former and current players. This is the program’s first coaching search in more than two decades after the school parted ways with Gary Patterson after nearly 21 seasons as head coach on Oct. 31.
“I definitely want to hear from the players,” Donati said. “Feedback on their experience is critical in evaluating the program and where the gaps and opportunities are.”
Sanders in the mix along with SMU’s Sonny Dykes, Louisiana’s Billy Napier, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell and Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, among others. Denver Broncos running backs coach Curtis Modkins interviewed last week, a source confirmed, but he isn’t among the favorites given that Donati’s desired credentials include a sitting head coach familiar with today’s college game. Modkins last coached in college in 2007.
Donati is hopeful to have the next coach in place by early December with the early signing period starting Dec. 15.
TCU plays at No. 10 Oklahoma State on Saturday night. Evans (turf toe) is expected to miss his third straight game.
TCU’s selection committee consists of Donati and deputy athletics director Mike Sinquefield as well as board of trustees members LaDainian Tomlinson, Eddie Clark and Hunter Enis.
Some within TCU wonder whether Sanders would be the best fit for the program, but the school hasn’t closed the door on the idea.
Tomlinson and Sanders have a history together as both are Pro Football Hall of Famers who worked as analysts on the NFL Network. Both reside in the DFW area, too, appearing together at football camps and other functions.
Sanders is in his second season at Jackson State, which sits at 8-1 and atop the SWAC standings going into its game at Southern on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La. Sanders has missed the past three games with an undisclosed health issue but the work he’s done in bringing national attention and highly ranked players to Jackson State has not gone unnoticed.
That’s why he’s being viewed as a candidate for jobs such as TCU.
Sanders has built a solid staff at Jackson State, including Dennis Thurman as defensive coordinator and Jason Phillips as offensive coordinator. Like Sanders, Thurman has ties to Tomlinson as both crossed paths with the New York Jets. Tomlinson finished his playing career with the Jets in 2010-11 while Thurman was the defensive backs coach.
Even though his playing career ended in 2005 — including a stint with the Dallas Cowboys from 1995-99 when they won Super Bowl XXX — Sanders remains a household name.
“He’s a guy who has the ability to get in any door,” a source said. “I don’t care if you’re getting recruited by Alabama or Ohio State, he is going to get in the door.”
In the new age of college athletics with players being able to profit off their name, image and likeness and the impact of the NCAA’s transfer portal, Sanders would bring publicity and buzz to a program that feels it’s in position to contend immediately.
