Former Seminole and current NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders has emerged as a candidate for the open Florida State head-coaching job, according to a report Thursday night from his colleagues, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
Sanders, a two-time unanimous All-American and one-time Jim Thorpe Award winner in four years at Florida State (1985-88), has coached at various high schools in Texas but has not coached at the college level.
The Seminoles dismissed head coach Willie Taggart on Sunday, just 21 games into a six-year, $30 million contract. Taggart’s buyout is in the $18 million range, according to athletic director David Coburn.
Sanders has worked as an analyst for NFL Network for more than a decade after previously appearing on CBS’ “The NFL Today.”
The 46-year-old had his No. 2 jersey retired by Florida State after collecting 14 career interceptions (three returned for touchdowns) and scoring three additional touchdowns on punt returns.
He went on to be taken fifth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1989 NFL Draft. Across 14 NFL seasons for five different teams, Sanders totaled eight Pro Bowl appearances and six first-team All-Pro nods, intercepting 53 passes in 188 games and being named Defensive Player of the Year in 1994.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
