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Warren Sapp shot down Miami after Mario Cristobal's 100-hour work week offer, setting up Deion Sanders and Colorado

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated Mar 24, 2025 6:47 AM ET

Warren Sapp admitted he was open to the idea of coaching at his alma mater. However, the roundabout harsh rejection eventually sent him to Colorado with Deion Sanders.

The Hall-of-Famer recently went on the record about his experience with Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, who asked for a 100-hour plus work week to have the same position he took in Boulder. While on a podcast with former 2 Live Crew frontman Uncle Luke, Sapp shared that he initially wanted to join Cristobal’s staff and asked for an entry-level position.

"I asked for the same job that Deion gave me, senior quality control analyst," Sapp said. "I asked for the same job at the University of Miami a little bit before I went to Colorado."

Sapp wouldn't say Cristobal's name but Luke filled in the gaps and confirmed he wanted a weighted down schedule for the position. "A certain person told me he wanted his analyst to work 20 hours a day," Sapp added. "I need to sleep and to eat at least a meal. I get more than four hours of sleep."

Seems crazy, to say the least. Sapp wasn't about that life and was given a new purpose by Sanders. He'll always have love for what 'The U' has given him, but he's starting to grow roots as a steady assistant in his secondary football career.

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Colorado’s coaching staff has over 150 years of NFL experience with three Gold Jacket recipients, including Sanders, Sapp, and Marshall Faulk, who recently made his transition. Not enough has been said about Coach Prime building up the careers of others. Not to say any of his big name hires couldn't have made their way through the ranks by themselves, but rather that he's investing to have future opportunities and a bigger coaching tree.

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As Colorado continues to build one of the most star-studded staffs in college football, they'll be preparing one of the most pro-ready rosters in the country.

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

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