Coach Prime, Deion Sanders, made a memorable start to bowl season by playfully wagging a finger at Kalani Sitake. This seemingly light-hearted gesture held a deeper meaning of respect between the two coaches. Sitake, the BYU football coach with a new contract extension, is set to face off against Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl later this month in San Antonio. During a virtual news conference on Sunday afternoon, a unique exchange took place as the two coaches shared jokes and praise.

Respect in the Virtual News Conference

Sitake began his remarks with a touch of humor, suggesting that in the coming days, he'd be looking at Yelp as much as the Cougars' playbook. He joked about looking forward to gaining some weight during the trip to San Antonio. Sanders, quick to respond, assured Sitake that while he might be boasting about his eating habits, he was a highly respected football coach. "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. He's a darn good football coach. He's a leader of men and he's a God-fearing man," Sanders said, wagging his finger.

Background and Mutual Respect

Sitake and Sanders had not coached against each other this season as the Cougars and Buffaloes did not meet in Big 12 play. However, they were introduced during conference meetings and had developed mutual respect from a distance. Sanders expressed his excitement at finally getting the opportunity to compete against Sitake. "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," he said. Sitake, in turn, shared his admiration for Sanders. "I've known Deion and been able to interact with him and I'm a big fan of his. 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," Sitake said.

Season Results and Opposing Views

Colorado had an impressive 9-3 season under Sanders, while BYU finished 10-2. The Cougars' win over Houston on the final weekend dashed the Buffaloes' hopes of reaching the Big 12 title game. Despite this, Sanders did not seem to hold it against Sitake. "He's truly a leader of men and I appreciate the opportunity to be on the field opposed to him," Sanders said. This shows the respect and sportsmanship between the two coaches, even in the face of competition.

Preparing for the Alamo Bowl

Both coaches are now focused on the upcoming Alamo Bowl. Sitake will bring his team's strengths and strategies, while Sanders will lead his Buffaloes with his unique style. The stage is set for an exciting showdown between two respected coaches and their teams. Fans can expect a battle on the field that will showcase the best of college football.