The University of Colorado announced Monday that Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp has been hired as a graduate assistant coach under head coach Deion Sanders and enrolled in graduate-level continuing education classes at CU Boulder Graduate School.
As recorded on Deion Sanders Jr.'s YouTube channel, Well Off Media, Sanders introduced Sapp, 51, during Sunday's team meeting. Sapp, a former NFL defensive tackle, has little coaching experience, but he hit it off with a Colorado defensive lineman during a trip to the state. He went to Boulder last year and met Sanders. Sanders, who described him as a big “teddy bear,” wanted to add him to a staff that included former Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs coach Robert Livingston as the new defensive coordinator. Sapp played 13 seasons in the NFL and is classified internally as a “senior quality control analyst.”
“Senior Quality Control Analysts, that's a mouthful, but most of the time you'll hear what I have to say before you see me,” Sapp told the team. “But what we do is big man, stance, placement, assignment…we pour concrete, because you know I like good stuff. And we’re here big.” That’s why I’m here because I’m building a mansion – build your own mansion to help you.”
As a graduate assistant, Sapp is required to enroll in graduate-level courses and is not allowed to contact or evaluate new employees off campus. These positions in college football typically pay relatively little and are considered entry-level coaching jobs that cannot be held for more than three years under NCAA regulations.
Warren Sapp's career raised concerns
The move, which came mid-semester after Sanders had vowed for months that Sapp would join his staff, also raised concerns among advocates for domestic violence survivors in Colorado. . The university released a statement on the matter to USA TODAY Sports on Monday.
“Warren Sapp has successfully completed all required procedures for employment at UW Boulder, including a background check,” the statement said. “Athletic Director Rick George met with Warren in person and “I clearly articulated the department's standards and expectations, which he recognized and agreed to.”
Sapp was previously fired from NFL Network in 2015 after his arrest in Phoenix on misdemeanor charges of assault and solicitation of a prostitute. He pleaded guilty in the case, but also avoided prison time through a plea deal that dropped the charges after meeting the terms of the agreement.
That same year, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor domestic assault charge in Las Vegas after his girlfriend accused him of biting her, throwing her to the floor, and stomping on her head. He also avoided his prison sentence in the case by agreeing to a plea deal that included a requirement to undergo counseling.
Lil Wayne performs after spring game
Rapper Lil Wayne, another of Sanders' friends, is scheduled to perform at the CU Events Center on campus after the Colorado football team's annual Spring Red-White Game on April 27. Last year's game was nationally broadcast on ESPN. This year he will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network. This is one of his last big events on the channel before it goes dark later this year.
Last year, Colorado State sold out its spring game with tickets priced at $10. Ticket prices this year will be $15 for bowl seats, $5 for students and $25 for Byron White East Club seats.
Hegamin also joins Deion Sanders' staff
Sanders also introduced another former NFL player as an addition to the staff in a non-coaching role. Former Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle George Hegamin, 51, told the team he will be the new director of leadership and engagement.
“We have a great support staff for you,” Sanders told his team. “You have to take advantage of that. With all this support, there's no reason for you guys to be out of the deep end.”
The team recently returned from spring break and is continuing spring practice until the April 27 spring game. Colorado finished 1-11 the season before Sanders arrived in Boulder, but finished 4-8 last year in Sanders' first season as head coach.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenbohr. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com
