Warren Sapp, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, has taken an entry-level coaching job at Colorado under head coach Deion Sanders, earning $150,000 annually with additional moving expenses. While this may seem like a significant pay cut compared to his NFL career, Sapp is starting at the ground floor as a college coach due to his limited coaching experience and desire to work with Sanders. In contrast, Sanders will make $5.7 million this year as head coach.
Sapp’s pay as a graduate assistant coach at Colorado is still considered high compared to previous NCAA regulations, which limited compensation for such positions. The NCAA recently lifted these caps following allegations of antitrust violations. Sapp’s job title at Colorado is listed as “Football Quality Control Senior Analyst” due to the university’s lack of an internal job code for graduate assistant coaches to comply with the new rules.
Despite concerns raised by domestic violence survivor groups due to Sapp’s past legal issues, he has passed a background check and met with Colorado’s athletic director to discuss the department’s standards and expectations. Sapp is enrolled in graduate-level coursework at the school, a requirement for his position, and is not permitted to have off-campus contact with recruits. Colorado’s spring football practices are currently underway, with Sapp joining the staff after previously visiting as a friend and expressing interest in coaching.
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