Former Colorado Players Were Told They Weren’t Ready for Prime Time. They Moved on but Won’t Forget

Luke Eckardt poses on the Iowa Western Community College campus in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Oct. 24, 2023. Eric Olson/AP Photo

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa—Luke Eckardt recalled the excitement of finding out that Deion Sanders would be his new head coach at Colorado.

After all, who wouldn’t want to play for the charismatic Pro Football Hall of Fame member and ex-major leaguer known as “Prime Time” during his playing days and now just “Coach Prime?”