Prime Time Legacy

The Coaching Journey of Deion Sanders

by Brian Howell

You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now

Pub Date 3 Nov 2026 | Archive Date 5 Oct 2026

Globe Pequot | Lyons Press

Nonfiction (Adult) | Sports

Talking about this book? Use #PrimeTimeLegacy #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!

Description

When Colorado football hit rock bottom, Deion Sanders turned Boulder into the center of the college football universe.

The University of Colorado has had a proud and successful football team for much of its 135-year history, including a national championship in 1990, but its 2022 season capped a seventeen-year stretch in which the team had posted only two winning seasons, relegating the program to irrelevancy. After 2022’s 1-11 record, during which the Buffaloes endured a blow-out nearly every week, the school’s leaders called a “Hail Mary” and offered a huge contract to the flamboyant and garrulous former two-way football wonder Deion Sanders, at the time head coach at Jackson State University. An enigma in the world of college football, in just three years Sanders had taken the Jackson State Tigers from a losing season to back-to-back Southwest Athletic Conference champions.

When Sanders accepted Colorado's offer the impact was immediate. Before even a down was played, CU quickly sold out its Spring 2023 game, which was broadcast live by ESPN. Season tickets sold out by April, and by the end of 2024 the chronically debt-ridden athletic department budget was running a $9 million surplus. Using deft use of the NCAA’s transfer portal, Sanders managed to bring his best players from Jackson State to Colorado, notably his highly talented quarterback son Shadeur. While in his first season with the Buffs the team posted a 4-8 record, the 2024 team improved to 9-4, tied for first place in the Big 12, finished in the top 25 nationally, boasted a Heisman Trophy winner, and graduated two top-10 NFL draft picks. Prime Time Legacy follows Sanders' evolution as a coach, breaks down his time at Colorado, and answers the questions: Can he do it again in 2025? If so, will he be tempted to jump to NFL? Buffaloes' beat writer Brian Howell tells the story through exclusive interviews with CU officials, players, and Coach Prime himself. (Also being published simultaneously in a library market hardback/paper-over-board edition, $39.95 USD, ISBN: 9781493098453.)

Marketing Plan

MAJOR PROMO POINTS

TOP TARGET AUDIENCE/MARKETS

College football enthusiasts and University of Colorado fans
NFL fans who followed Deion Sanders during his Hall of
Fame playing career
Sports history readers interested in coaching
transformations and leadership
Aspiring coaches and athletic program administrators
seeking inspiration
General sports biography readers aged 25-65,
predominantly male but with growing female readership in
college sports

MEDIA PLANS

Release exclusive excerpts to major sports media outlets
(ESPN, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated)
Secure advance reviews from prominent sports journalists
and former NFL players
Establish social media campaign in lead-up to publication
(with #PrimeTimeLegacy hashtag)
Pitch feature stories to major newspapers and magazines
timing publication with the football season kickoff
Pitch author segments to ESPN, Fox Sports, and various
sports talk radio and sports podcasts on national and
regional basis
Virtual book launch event featuring moderated conversation
between Brian Howell and prominent sports journalist
Coordinate with University of Colorado for campus
bookstore displays and potential on-campus events
Launch targeted digital advertising campaign on sports
websites and podcasts
Secure podcast appearances on top college football and
NFL history shows

Holiday Season Push

Pursue year-end "Best Sports Books of 2026' list
placements

Traditional Media

National Outlets

ESPN (SportsCenter, College GameDay, Get Up, First
Take)
Fox Sports (Undisputed, The Herd with Colin Cowherd)
CBS Sports, NBC Sports
National sports talk radio (Dan Patrick Show, Rich Eisen
Show)
Print features in Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, USA Today
(Sports)

Regional Colorado Media

The Denver Post, The Boulder Daily Camera, The Colorado
Springs Gazette
Denver television stations (9News, CBS4, FOX31)
Colorado sports radio stations (Altitude Sports Radio, 104.3
The Fan)

Digital and Social Media

Influencer partnerships with college football content creators
and sports commentators
Strategic Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok campaigns
featuring video content
Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) with author Brian Howell
YouTube collaboration with popular sports channels
Email marketing campaign to sports book readers and
University of Colorado alumni lists

MAJOR PROMO POINTS

TOP TARGET AUDIENCE/MARKETS

College football enthusiasts and University of Colorado fans
NFL fans who followed Deion Sanders during his Hall of
Fame playing career
Sports history...

Available Editions

EDITION	Paperback
ISBN	9781493093779
PRICE	$24.95 (USD)
PAGES	260

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Reader (PDF)

NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)

Send to Kindle (PDF)

Download (PDF)