C'mon, people - how about a little love for "The Prime". This column of John's explains the state of college football than anything else you will read this season, just sayin'
Good morning, guys, thanks for your note. As they say on cable TV, "that is a very good question." To be quite honest, I don' really know; I just use it to be clever (?) and emphasize the very well crafted opinion that proceeds it. So, as is my wont, I Googled it. A number of meanings but generally is used to emphasize ones' opinion yet provide a soft defense in the event that said opinion offends someone. The origin seems unknown, perhaps introduced by Eddie Murphy (African American street talk) or "Seinfeld" (Jewish/Hebrew expression). So, again, I really don't know for sure - just sayin'. Charlie
Prime is going to pillage the portal. That’s all he wants why recruit 18 year olds when you can get men 22 or 23 that have already made the adjustment to college life.
Of course a brand new coach at a program with terrible recent history is going to pillage the portal. He'd be a fool not too.
However, they're currently ranked 2nd in Pac and 24th in country for '24 HS recruiting. And were #30 for '23 HS recruiting. So he isn't exclusively focused on transfers.
He will, next year will be fewer HS recruits and even fewer the year after. If he is forced to HS he will but prefers portal way over HS. Last year at Jackson he was down to 11 HS recruits.
John. One thing about Coach Sanders ( Prime) is that he brings so much enthusiasm and Bling to the Pac 12 .... for the first time since I graduated in 1967, I am going to fly out to Boulder, and watch the Beavs play the Buffs !....Sander’s enthusiasm for College football is infectious and he just has a special talent to get everyone , including OSU Alumni,
Good Pub for Pac12. ESPN broadcast of Buff spring game is huge.
As a Eugenean, excited for Autzen to host Prime's first league game. I remember the 80's with coach McCartney.....their stadium was electric.
Interesting - McCartney and Prime both men of Faith. I like reports I've seen, of him laying down some strict personal guidelines for players and staff.
Spot on Bob. I had season tickets for 2 years of McCartney ball. The stadium was loud, students showed up and it is a beautiful view from the stadium and a beautiful campus.
John - what a story! I got excited just reading it. Regardless of the eventual outcome, Colorado gets a lot of love. Thanks for this, unique as is often the case with your work. Really appreciated.
Jim, I kinda feel the whole of college football and basketball fits that description today. The short story, "The Eighty Yard Run" (anyone ever read it?) could not be written today. Charlie
The bluster is well-known. Sanders talks a good game and reminds me of Reggie Jackson in his heyday. But we'll see if this guy (and his staff) can actually recruit and coach well enough to be successful in this league, which while usually well out of the national spotlight is quite well-balanced with few (if any) easy wins. The response down here in the Denver area is similar to the Russell Wilson episode last summer. Buffalo boosters are hoping that Prime hype is more than just that this fall.
According to the US Supremes, Supreme Court, these young men are athlete-students.
Athlete students are the real model that has existed for decades and not the NCAA's 'student-athlete' myth. At least not at the level of prime college football and basketball.
I think that seeing that their basketball team members involved in a murder, not to mention a few other scandals, Alabama is giving USC a run for its money as the most corrupt academic (yea, right) institution in America.
Lots of splash and glitz with this hire. Good for Colorado and the PAC but substance counts. Nothing else does. It’s interesting and I’ll be watching. Go Ducks!
Fun Fact about Tark and Fresno State, in the 20 years since Tark retired from Fresno State, they have only been to one NCAA tournament and loss in the 1st round. And has never sold out a game since Tark retired.
That’s an awesome piece John. I spent my first 2 college years at CU and go back to a game in Boulder every year. The Sink is a dark dive with low ceilings but best burgers in town and a must before walking 10 minutes through Colorado’s stunning campus. I’m a homer for sure and drinking Coach Prime’s Kool aid but think Buffs can win 6+ games... GO CU!!
Great topic John. In this growing transfer-portal world, Prime Time is made for these times. Whatever coach predicted only 4 or 5 wins probably should wait until the whole team is announced eh? Sundance should hop on his jet and join the fun!
C'mon, people - how about a little love for "The Prime". This column of John's explains the state of college football than anything else you will read this season, just sayin'
WTH does just sayin mean???
Good morning, guys, thanks for your note. As they say on cable TV, "that is a very good question." To be quite honest, I don' really know; I just use it to be clever (?) and emphasize the very well crafted opinion that proceeds it. So, as is my wont, I Googled it. A number of meanings but generally is used to emphasize ones' opinion yet provide a soft defense in the event that said opinion offends someone. The origin seems unknown, perhaps introduced by Eddie Murphy (African American street talk) or "Seinfeld" (Jewish/Hebrew expression). So, again, I really don't know for sure - just sayin'. Charlie
Prime is going to pillage the portal. That’s all he wants why recruit 18 year olds when you can get men 22 or 23 that have already made the adjustment to college life.
I think you are right on. He's built to work in the system the NCAA is building.
Of course a brand new coach at a program with terrible recent history is going to pillage the portal. He'd be a fool not too.
However, they're currently ranked 2nd in Pac and 24th in country for '24 HS recruiting. And were #30 for '23 HS recruiting. So he isn't exclusively focused on transfers.
He will, next year will be fewer HS recruits and even fewer the year after. If he is forced to HS he will but prefers portal way over HS. Last year at Jackson he was down to 11 HS recruits.
John. One thing about Coach Sanders ( Prime) is that he brings so much enthusiasm and Bling to the Pac 12 .... for the first time since I graduated in 1967, I am going to fly out to Boulder, and watch the Beavs play the Buffs !....Sander’s enthusiasm for College football is infectious and he just has a special talent to get everyone , including OSU Alumni,
“Juiced” as he calls it ! Go Beavs !
Great point. Will be a lot of enthusiasm all around the conference. Colorado was a dud in the last few years. Will be a big draw on the road.
Good Pub for Pac12. ESPN broadcast of Buff spring game is huge.
As a Eugenean, excited for Autzen to host Prime's first league game. I remember the 80's with coach McCartney.....their stadium was electric.
Interesting - McCartney and Prime both men of Faith. I like reports I've seen, of him laying down some strict personal guidelines for players and staff.
Will be a big game at Autzen for that opener for both programs.
Spot on Bob. I had season tickets for 2 years of McCartney ball. The stadium was loud, students showed up and it is a beautiful view from the stadium and a beautiful campus.
John - what a story! I got excited just reading it. Regardless of the eventual outcome, Colorado gets a lot of love. Thanks for this, unique as is often the case with your work. Really appreciated.
Desperation meet opportunist.
Using what kind of logic leads you to say Prime is an “opportunist”?
More, shouldn’t everyone trying to succeed in coaching/business be willing to exploit better opportunities presented to them?
Colorado is a hell of a lot better than JSU was.
As an Oregon fan I’m nervous about the behemoth Prime will build at Colorado.
It will be an interesting opera.
Jim, I kinda feel the whole of college football and basketball fits that description today. The short story, "The Eighty Yard Run" (anyone ever read it?) could not be written today. Charlie
Great article. To early to tell if this will last long term, but certainly has provided a jump start to the Colorado fan base and donors.
The bluster is well-known. Sanders talks a good game and reminds me of Reggie Jackson in his heyday. But we'll see if this guy (and his staff) can actually recruit and coach well enough to be successful in this league, which while usually well out of the national spotlight is quite well-balanced with few (if any) easy wins. The response down here in the Denver area is similar to the Russell Wilson episode last summer. Buffalo boosters are hoping that Prime hype is more than just that this fall.
"The Buffaloes coaching staff is telling reporters that it may add as many as 25 transfers before the window closes on April 30."
I'm sure they all will be "student-athletes."
According to the US Supremes, Supreme Court, these young men are athlete-students.
Athlete students are the real model that has existed for decades and not the NCAA's 'student-athlete' myth. At least not at the level of prime college football and basketball.
Like all those 'student athletes' on the Alabama teams?
I think that seeing that their basketball team members involved in a murder, not to mention a few other scandals, Alabama is giving USC a run for its money as the most corrupt academic (yea, right) institution in America.
Lots of splash and glitz with this hire. Good for Colorado and the PAC but substance counts. Nothing else does. It’s interesting and I’ll be watching. Go Ducks!
I think it's a great hire.
It's telling that you didn't have to mention until the 13th paragraph who this was all about!
Very telling.
Fun Fact about Tark and Fresno State, in the 20 years since Tark retired from Fresno State, they have only been to one NCAA tournament and loss in the 1st round. And has never sold out a game since Tark retired.
I was blessed to be in Denver when UNLV under Tark defeated Duke for an NCAA title in a real basketball stadium.
I miss him biting on the towel.
That’s an awesome piece John. I spent my first 2 college years at CU and go back to a game in Boulder every year. The Sink is a dark dive with low ceilings but best burgers in town and a must before walking 10 minutes through Colorado’s stunning campus. I’m a homer for sure and drinking Coach Prime’s Kool aid but think Buffs can win 6+ games... GO CU!!
I will need to get a burger there on my visit.
Bacon and cheese?
John, R U 1 of 260??
Can we expect a fantastic slide show this weekend?????
Please say it is so!
Great topic John. In this growing transfer-portal world, Prime Time is made for these times. Whatever coach predicted only 4 or 5 wins probably should wait until the whole team is announced eh? Sundance should hop on his jet and join the fun!
It's a right-guy, right-time equation.