If one were to try to pick out which Big 12 football coaches might be close, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders might seem like an odd choice. However, we learned this week at Big 12 Media Days that the two have more than just a little respect for each other. In fact, it seems like that duo might have built a mutual admiration society.
In fact, on Tuesday, when McGuire was on stage in Las Vegas, he didn't even have to be prompted to talk about "Coach Prime" and discuss how excited he is to have Sanders and Colorado in the Big 12.
"I'd like to welcome Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and my good friend Deion Sanders to the Big 12 and Colorado Buffaloes. Known Deion for a long time. Excited that he's in the conference," he said.
Later in the media session, McGuire was specifically asked about Sanders by a member of the media from Colorado. He had nothing but glowing things to say about the person that his new Big 12 colleague is.
"I'm a Texan and grew up in the old Southwest Conference and the old Big 12, so it's great to see Colorado back in the right conference," McGuire said.
"Man, I love Deion. I always tell everybody, I coached Bucky, his oldest son, in high school. He's honestly the best dad of a player that I've ever had.
"He was absolutely incredible. But what he brings, he's who he is. He doesn't make any excuses, and he doesn't take anything back. He's going to say what he believes in and say what he thinks.
"He brings a lot of excitement that I think Colorado is going to be really good. They've added a lot of talent and they do have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Whenever you've got a quarterback like his son that can make plays with his arm and his feet, you've got a chance to win games.
"I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I am glad that he gets to come to Lubbock first before I have to go to Boulder. I think that's going to be a big game late in the season, and I'm excited to see him."
Friday, it was Sanders' turn to face the media and the love McGuire showed to him on Tuesday was returned in full.
"And Joey McGuire, my son Junior -- where are you at, Junior? He played for Coach McGuire in high school," Sanders said. "And Joey has been the same consistent, great coach that he's always been. If you're out there, I love you. I appreciate you. You keep on doing what you do, except when we come to play you, I want you to keep on doing your thang. I love you, you're doing wonderful work down there in Texas Tech."
Perhaps it shouldn't surprise anyone that McGuire has made friends with Sanders. After all, McGuire is as likable and gregarious as any coach in the country. And his success as a coach has been built on his ability to connect with people of all personality types.
Still, the unassuming and down-to-earth McGuire and the over-the-top Sanders don't seem like they would make for natural friends. That's what they appear to be though. Perhaps that's the biggest surprise for Red Raider fans to come out of Big 12 Media Days this year.