Deion Sanders confirms Colorado assistant retired before fall camp

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders cleared up the mystery around Jason Phillips on Monday, saying the longtime Colorado receivers coach has retired.

That explanation came after Phillips was no longer listed on the staff directory and did not appear to introduce himself at the team's first fall camp meeting. Sanders later posted that Phillips stepped away after more than 25 years in coaching, calling him a longtime friend and praising what he did for the program.

"JPhil retired, my brother! We go way back to playing together with the Falcons," Sanders wrote on X. "I love him to life and he’s coached over 25 years man. I’m proud of him and he blessed us and they’re 5 recs [recruits] that played for CU in NFL camps right now."

The timing matters because Colorado is trying to settle into camp with a major offensive reset already underway. Phillips played a big role in developing receivers during the Coach Prime era, helping guide players such as Jimmy Horn Jr., LaJohntay Wester and Travis Hunter to the next level.

His exit also fits the direction of Brennan Marion's offense. The new Go-Go system asks more from receivers in blocking, route detail and tempo, and Rashad Davis appears ready to take over the room after already handling more hands-on work this spring.

Colorado opened camp in Colorado Springs with plenty of change already in motion. Phillips' retirement is one more shift the Buffs will have to manage as they prepare for the Sept. 3 opener against Georgia Tech.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Deion Sanders confirms Colorado assistant retired before fall camp