Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders. Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

Deion Sanders surprised by Nick Saban retiring, comments on what 'chased the GOAT away'

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 1/10/24

Colorado coach Deion Sanders was as shocked by Nick Saban’s retirement as everyone else, and he thinks that one factor played a big role in the decision.

Sanders responded to Saban’s retirement on X, suggesting that the state of college football factored into Saban’s decision. The Colorado coach encouraged college football to look in the mirror and consider how the “game has change(d) so much that it chased the GOAT away.”

WOW! College Football just lost the GOAT to retirement. WOW! I knew it would happen 1 day soon but not this soon. The game has change so much that it chased the GOAT away. College football let's hold up our mirrors and say HONESTLY what u see. #CoachPrime @CUBuffsFootball

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) January 10, 2024

Without Saban saying anything publicly, this is speculative. However, Saban has been critical of recent changes to the sport, including the unregulated issues with name, image and likeness, as well as the increased ability to transfer. Interestingly, Sanders is known for taking advantage of some of these changes, but even he has some complaints about how far things have gone.

Saban is also 72, so there are some reasons his shocking retirement does make some sense. Still, it would not be a surprise if changes to the sport did accelerate his decision.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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