The Great 'What If': Did USF Miss Its Shot at Coach Prime?

It’s funny how college football narratives unfold, isn’t it? We look back, hindsight being 20/20, and sometimes a simple question pops up: What if? What if things had gone just a little bit differently? And in the whirlwind saga of Deion Sanders, or 'Coach Prime' as we all know him, taking the reins at Colorado, there’s a quiet whisper of another possibility – a road less traveled, perhaps, that leads to Tampa, Florida.

Now, let's be real for a moment. Coach Prime going to Boulder was, by all accounts, his dream job. A Power Five gig, a chance to revitalize a storied, albeit recently struggling, program. It was a massive statement, and he’s certainly made good on it, injecting an energy into college football that’s truly unmatched. But buried beneath that very public journey is a tantalizing thought: Could the University of South Florida (USF) have actually made a compelling enough offer to turn his head, even for a fleeting moment?

Think about it. USF isn’t just some fledgling program. They’re a rapidly growing institution, a vibrant university situated in one of the country's biggest media markets. More importantly, they’re a university with a clear vision for the future, including a brand-new on-campus stadium. That’s a huge selling point, a blank canvas for a coach like Prime who thrives on building something from the ground up, with modern facilities to boot. And then there's the financial muscle – not necessarily the university's operating budget, mind you, but the powerful backing of a donor like Frank Crum, who reportedly has the capacity and the will to make significant investments.

It’s easy to dismiss, of course. "Prime would never go to USF!" many would exclaim. But picture this: a substantial offer, perhaps one that rivaled or even surpassed the initial figures at Colorado. A chance to be the undisputed king of an emerging program in a major metropolitan area, with a new stadium to christen, and the opportunity to recruit talent from a fertile recruiting ground like Florida, where he already has deep ties. Doesn't that start to sound a little… intriguing?

The original report suggests that USF, had they been truly aggressive and made a truly eye-popping, all-in pitch, might have made Prime think twice. It wasn't just about the money; it was about the package, the vision, the chance to leave an indelible mark on a program desperate for a spark. And let’s not forget, USF has had moments of brilliance, moments where they’ve truly captured the attention of the college football world.

So, why didn't it happen? Perhaps the stars weren't aligned. Perhaps the timing was off. Or maybe, just maybe, USF simply didn't realize the full extent of the opportunity staring them in the face. It's a classic case of what could have been. Coach Prime eventually chose Boulder, a decision that has undoubtedly paid dividends for the Buffaloes and for college football as a whole.

But for USF, this hypothetical scenario serves as a powerful reminder. It underscores the immense potential that lies within their program and the fact that, with the right ambition, the right financial backing, and the right strategic moves, they can attract top-tier talent, not just to play, but to coach. The "what if" with Deion Sanders might be just that – a what if – but it’s a compelling thought experiment that should fuel USF's future endeavors, reminding them that sometimes, you just have to swing for the fences, because you never know who might catch your eye.