Stephen A. Smith makes case for Cleveland Browns to hire Deion Sanders as head coach

The Cleveland Browns have not yet found a replacement for head coach Kevin Stefanski, who they fired earlier this month. On Tuesday, First Take host Stephen A. Smith discussed whether the Browns should consider hiring Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.

“Deion Sanders is my brother. We go back a long ways. This is the most accurate and fair way to put it: I hope this happens for him. His resume doesn’t warrant it. That is the reality,” Smith said. “Yes, you were 27-6 in leading Jackson State to consecutive SWAC titles and a 12-1 record in 2022.

“Yes, you had a winning season with Shedeur Sanders last year in Colorado, 9-4. You have two losing seasons. You were like 4-8 or whatever it was the first year there. You were 3-9 last season. So, you had two losing seasons in the three years that you were there.”

The 2025 campaign was Deion Sanders’ first season at Colorado without his son, Shedeur Sanders, and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter on the roster. The pair’s absence was painfully obvious.

The Buffaloes posted a 3-9 overall record and a 1-8 mark in conference play. While Deion Sanders struggled, Shedeur found success in the NFL. After beginning the season as the Browns’ third-string quarterback, he started the team’s final seven games of the season.

Shedeur led Cleveland to a 3-4 record as the team’s QB1. Although Stephen A. Smith admits Deion Sanders’ recent shortcomings at Colorado aren’t encouraging, he also believes the 58-year-old HC could thrive in the professional ranks.

“The man knows football. I think he knows how to galvanize folks,” Smith said. “We all know that he’s the greatest cornerback in the history of the sport. We know that his football IQ is top notch, and he can go out there and compete. You give him equal talent, he can make some things happen.

“Obviously, in the National Football League, you’re gonna have talent that you don’t have at Colorado when you going up against some monsters in college football. So, the talent level is going to elevate. I have no doubt that if he were an NFL coach, he would do a good job. But the question is whether or not you deserve it, and it can’t always be about you coaching your son.”

With the offseason progressing, the Browns will need to find a new head coach soon. The remaining candidates for the opening are defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn and former Ravens OC Todd Monken, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.