'I love Deion': BYU AD Tom Holmoe thrilled to work next to 'Coach Prime' in Big 12

LAS VEGAS — There was a joyous reunion during BYU's trip to Big 12 media days at Allegiant Stadium this week, but it wasn't one between coach and player — or at least, not a BYU coach and player.

In the middle of interviews, hot takes and projections, BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe saw a familiar face walking toward him. It was Colorado coach Deion Sanders — also known as "Coach Prime" for his NFL nickname "Prime Time" — and his son Shilo, a starting safety with the Buffaloes.

The two made their way to Holmoe, and Holmoe reciprocated with a gleam in his eye and love in his heart.

After embracing for a lengthy moment, the two reconnected, shared memories of the 1994 NFL season they shared when Holmoe was defensive backs coach and Sanders helped lead the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl victory. And then the two went their separate ways.

But the moment caught the attention of several reporters, administrators, social media strategists and others in the area. Sanders does that with a lot of things — but this interaction was genuine.

For both sides.

"I love Deion. We came together for one year — a short year — from right before the start of the season to the Super Bowl and he was gone," Holmoe told KSL.com. "But I think in hindsight, you see 30-something years ago and say, 'what a formidable time in my life.' Every time I see him, there's a warm embrace; I love him. He means so much to me."

At the time, Holmoe admits he didn't think Sanders would be a coach, yet alone a college football coach who would eventually find his way to the Rocky Mountains and into the same Big 12 Conference as BYU, along with as Arizona, Arizona State and Utah that joined the league with the Buffs.

But when Sanders was first hired as a rookie college head coach at Jackson State and plenty of people across the country doubted his acumen, Holmoe didn't bat an eye. He knew "Coach Prime" would be just as successful as "Prime Time."

He knew, because he knew the work the former two-time Super Bowl champion, eight-time Pro Bowler and 1994 NFL Defensive Player of the Year who earned a spot on the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team put into his craft.

"He came across as Prime Time in pro football, and made it look like it was easy," Holmoe said. "The reality is, that dude put in a ton of mental preparation for every game — more than most. He knew exactly what he was getting.

"He was calling players on other teams every week — this was before we had cell phones — and would talk to other players about their receivers," he added. "He would be ready. I know this guy is going to compete like a wild banshee. … When he took the Colorado job, I wasn't sure about that job. But I said, be careful what you say, he's going to be good."

For Sanders, the feeling is mutual.

The former Florida State three-sport athlete played for Holmoe for one of the shortest stints in his 16-year NFL career of just one season. But Holmoe, a former BYU defensive back and convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was named BYU athletic director in 2005, left a lasting impact.

"Consistent. Conservative," Sanders said when asked by BYUtv for some words to describe his former position coach. "He got on some of the guys who needed to be checked and put in their place. But you've got to understand, and this is not a racial thing, a caucasian man being a DB coach in the NFL was not often seen, especially back in the 90s. But he did the doggone thing, and we were the No. 1 defense in the league that year."

That the two connected in such a way isn't surprising. Sanders lives his life with three core values — faith, family and football — that have also sparked Holmoe en route to becoming the first athletic director to oversee both men's and women's sports at the university sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

But for Sanders, focusing on his faith and family in the violent sport of football isn't an act. It's just who he is.

"I'm not trying to find a balance; I'm trying to be me," he told BYUtv with his son, Shilo, sitting next to him on set. "They grew up getting their butts kicked because they didn't want to go to church.

"That was part of the family structure growing up," he added. "But that's who I've always been. I shouldn't have to try to be who I've always been."

Sanders won't face BYU in his first year in the Big 12, though the Buffs will likely be on the Cougars' schedule more often than not, Holmoe said. And when they face each other, there will be another reunion of respect between two friends-turned-rival for an evening.

"Coach Prime," you see, is also a pretty big fan of BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, too, after the way the former Cougar fullback greeted him at Big 12 meetings in Arizona.

"He was so welcoming, he was so kind. He's a big fella, intimidating, but he's one of the best dudes ever," Sanders said. "The spirit that he had was illuminating the whole room. I love that I know BYU is in great hands, because that man right there loves the kids and loves the game."

Related topics