Coach Prime once lashed out at a reporter for calling him by his first name: "Treat me like Nick Saban"

Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders aka Coach Prime has had a mixed start to the season and recently saw his son, Shedeur Sanders, throw a Hail Mary pass to move the Buffs to 3-1. This season has been characterized by skirmishes with the media for the charismatic coach but the trend did not start this year.

During his tenure as coach of Jackson State, in 2021, Sanders criticized Clarion Ledger reporter Nick Suss during a news conference for referring to him by his first name. He asked for the same deference that the now-retired Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban used to get from the media.

"You don't call (Alabama's) Nick Saban, 'Nick'. Don't call me Deion," Coach Prime said. "If you call Nick (Saban), Nick, you'll get cussed out on the spot," he continued, "So don't do that to me. Treat me like Nick."

The charismatic Buffs coach then walked out of the media event after the reporter referred to him by his first name again.

Coach Prime later tweeted about the incident on his X account, continuing his tirade against the reporter.

"This is how all of this started, I really Pray for all of us because this was something so minimal that was hilarious to me that you allowed a FOOLISH media outlet and person to play on your Preconceived notions. I’m all about Peace, Love, Work, Commitment, Sacrifice & Forgiveness," Sanders posted on X.

How Coach Prime escalated beef with reporter

Before the 2024 season started, Coach Prime refused to take questions from two reporters, Eric Christensen of CBS Sports and Sean Keeler of the Denver Post. He reconciled with the former but escalated matters with the latter.

Colorado released a statement that effectively banned Keeler from asking questions during Buffs' news conferences.

"After a series of sustained, personal attacks on the football program and specifically Coach Prime, the CU Athletic Department in conjunction with the football program, have decided not to take questions from Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler at football-related events," the athletic department said in a statement.

"Keeler is still permitted to attend football-related activities as a credentialed member of the media and other reporters from the Denver Post are welcome to ask questions of football program personnel made available to the media, including coaches, players and staff."

The move by Sanders to effectively ban Keeler was met with mixed reactions from fans and analysts. Some thought that he was warranted to take that drastic measure while others thought it be an overreaction.

Deion Sanders had a mixed relationship with the press throughout his playing career and it hasn't stopped during his time as a coach.