Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Football docu scores big on self-promotion, has language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Coach Prime
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The docuseries COACH PRIME follows Deion Sanders as he coaches football at Jackson State University. In 2020 the football and baseball legend chose to coach at JSU, a historically Black university, in order to attract talented Black players and elevate their football program to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. Sanders helps the Tigers by improving their facilities and get new equipment to ensure that the players have the space and tools they need. Meanwhile, he competes for top talent, like all-around top recruit Travis Hunter, who opted to join JSU instead of going to a larger and more traditional Division I football program. Cameras follow as Sanders and assistant coaches push the players to put the mental and physical work into building themselves up as a team, improving their skills, and winning games. Appearances by folks like University of Alabama Coach Nick Saban and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson add to the fray. In later seasons, viewers follow Sanders as he moves to Colorado to take over the coaching responsibilities of the Buffaloes at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Is It Any Good?
The aggrandizing docuseries, the first two seasons of which only streamed on YouTube, centers on Deion Sanders building up struggling football teams. The first season to stream on Amazon Prime VIdeo (which is actually the production's third season) features the rather bombastic Sanders stating that he's committed to bringing HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) back to the forefront of top-tier football, which will once again make them primary recruiting grounds for talented Black players seeking professional opportunities. The goal seems legitimate and the players inspired, but after Sanders' controversial move from Jackson State to a multimillion-dollar coaching gig at University of Colorado Boulder (taking some top JSU players and coaches with him) his talk about supporting HBCUs rings somewhat hollow. Later seasons feature the coach trying to revitalize the Colorado Buffaloes and make them a winning team. All of this makes Coach Prime seem like nothing more than a promotional vehicle for Sanders from which he can make more cash.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about HBCUs. What are their histories and contributions to the United States? Why do Black students and educators often note that they feel more safe studying and working at one?
What famous football players over the years played for Jackson State University? Will some of the JSU players featured on Coach Prime go pro too?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 29, 2022
- Cast : Deion Sanders , Anthony Balancier , Travis Hunter
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 4, 2024
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