Coach Prime kicked off bowl season by wagging a finger in Kalani Sitake’s direction.
It was, to be sure, a gesture of respect.
Sitake, the BYU football coach with a new contract extension, and Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders will square off in the Alamo Bowl later this month in San Antonio. During a virtual news conference on Sunday afternoon, the two coaches shared a few jokes and a heaping portion of praise.
Sitake opened his remarks sounding like he’d be looking at Yelp as much as the Cougars’ playbook in the coming days.
“For me, the destination is always about food too and I know San Antonio can hold its own,” he joked. “So I’m looking forward to gaining some weight that week.”
Sanders was quick to let the BYU coach know that, in addition to any pounds, he’d gained a fan this year.
“This man … is boasting about how much he’s going to eat and all that, but don’t get that mistaken, don’t get it twisted,” Sanders said, wagging his finger. “He’s a darn good football coach. He’s a leader of men and he’s a God-fearing man.”
Sitake and Sanders haven’t coached against each other. The Cougars and Buffaloes did not meet in Big 12 play this season. But the two coaches were introduced during conference meetings and said they’d developed mutual respect from afar.
“To see him and watch him and glean from and get an opportunity to meet him at the Big 12 meetings — and now be able to compete against him — is unbelievable,” Sanders said.
Sitake said he’d spent time watching the Buffaloes this season as he watched tape of some of their common opponents.
“I’ve known Deion and been able to interact with him and I’m a big fan of his,” Sitake said. “It’s been fun to be able to watch him lead his team this year. ... We’ve been very impressed with what they do on the field. I love the way he leads his team. It’s a great example to me as a coach to see the way he leads and the way he does it with his faith in Christ and God.”
Colorado went 9-3 this season, its second under Sanders. BYU finished the season 10-2. The Cougars’ win over Houston on the final weekend proved to be the final blow to the Buffaloes’ chances of reaching the Big 12 title game.
On Sunday, Sanders did not seem to hold that against his next opponent.
“He’s truly a leader of men and I appreciate the opportunity to be on the field opposed to him,” he said of Sitake.
