Latest news with #Leftwich
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Deion Sanders praises Byron Leftwich: ‘He's unbelievable'
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders had high praise for one of his newest staff members, former NFL offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. Although Leftwich hasn't coached since 2022, Sanders is already seeing the immediate impact he's making in Boulder. "He's phenomenal," Sanders said. "I'm not even equipped with the words to describe what he's brought to the table. His experience, his knowledge, his day-to-day presence, and especially his communication with the quarterbacks have been superb." Sanders continued, emphasizing just how valuable Leftwich has already become. 'He's much more than expected. Much greater than we ever thought he would be. He's unbelievable. I can see why the Buccaneers won the championship when he was there." Although Leftwich's specific role on the Colorado staff has not been officially defined, it's clear Sanders sees him as a major asset. His creative football mind and leadership qualities are already resonating throughout the program. Leftwich began his coaching career in 2016 with the Arizona Cardinals as an intern. He was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2017 and later served as the team's interim offensive coordinator in 2018. From 2019 to 2022, he held the offensive coordinator role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under head coach Bruce Arians. In 2020, he helped guide Tom Brady and the Bucs to the Super Bowl LV title. Now, Leftwich is looking to make a splash at the college level. With a fresh opportunity in Colorado and the full support of Deion Sanders, he has a promising path to reestablish himself in the coaching world. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
02-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Byron Leftwich still a 'volunteer' under Deion Sanders at Colorado: What to know
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders introduced Byron Leftwich to his team this week, telling his players that the former NFL quarterback would be part of the team's coaching staff and work with the Buffaloes' quarterbacks. 'This guy knows what he's doing,' Sanders told his team, as documented in a YouTube video posted July 29 by Deion Sanders Jr. 'And he's gonna be an intricate part of our success. I already know that. … So, let's welcome Coach Leftwich.' The team clapped. However, the university confirmed Friday, Aug. 1 that, 'as of right now, Mr. Byron Leftwich is still considered a volunteer with the University," as he was in the spring. This could change in days or weeks if Leftwich officially joins the staff as a paid assistant. The university didn't respond to requests for further comment. In the meantime, it's the second or third time since March that Sanders Sr. has suggested Leftwich has been hired or is on the verge of being hired at Colorado, raising questions about whether Sanders is getting what he wants from the university in terms of staffing. He's at least been having to wait for it. Deion Sanders brought it up at Big 12 media days Sanders previously brought up the subject at a Big 12 Conference media days event July 9, when he indicated he wanted to add Leftwich and former NFL head coach Mike Zimmer to his staff in Boulder but that something was in the way of making it official. After noting his staff already had more than 150 years of combined NFL experience, Sanders said, 'This is without Byron Leftwich, which I'm praying that he does the right thing, and Mike Zimmer." Sanders didn't say who he wanted to do 'the right thing.' It sounded then like he might have been hoping that Leftwich accepted the job. But considering that Leftwich has returned to Boulder and is not yet getting paid by the university, it's also possible Sanders could have been applying public pressure on a decision-maker at CU to do 'the right thing,' meaning fund and approve the hiring of Leftwich. Colorado is getting a great deal with Leftwich working for free. He previously helped lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in February 2021 as the team's offensive coordinator. The New England Patriots also interviewed him for their head coach vacancy in January. Leftwich, 45, declined comment when contacted by USA TODAY Sports July 11. The university confirmed in July that Zimmer isn't on the Colorado staff. Other previous comments by Deion Sanders In March, Sanders said more notable staff hirings were on the way. 'We have a couple more huge moves we'll probably make this week, maybe one next week that you're gonna really appreciate the understanding of how wonderful this staff is,' Sanders said March 17. Two days later, on March 19, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that 'Leftwich is back in coaching as he is joining Deion Sanders' staff at Colorado.' At the time, Schultz was a client of the same talent agency that works with Sanders, SMAC Entertainment. But no big staff moves were announced after that. Leftwich wasn't officially hired. He was spotted at Colorado wearing school gear in March. In response to questions about it, the school said then that Leftwich was a volunteer. Also in March, Sanders made a cryptic remark about money on a show called "The Morning Run." 'These people better go and get my money and stop playing," he said. He then quickly said 'bye, bye' before exiting the show. It's not clear what he was talking about then, but it could have been about pay for his staff. Sanders also got a new five-year contract after that worth more than $10 million annually, nearly double his previous annual pay. Bigger staff and new costs Despite any holdup with Leftwich, Colorado still has expanded its football staff under Sanders, including the addition of two former Dallas Cowboys players to coach its offensive line – Andre Gurode and George Hegamin. Meanwhile, Colorado's athletic department is facing the same financial challenges as other major colleges after a judge recently approved a legal settlement that allows schools to pay players up to $20.5 million for their names, images and likenesses (NIL). That's a whole new cost to add to the budget, starting July 1. The Buffaloes began preseason practice this week and will open the season at home against Georgia Tech Aug. 29. Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Colorado HC Deion Sanders wants to add former Bucs OC to Colorado staff
The Colorado Buffaloes coaching staff has been built up with NFL connections ever since Deion Sanders arrived on the team in 2023. He immediately wanted to make his staff the most friendly to his players who are pursuing their NFL dreams, or to look up to for an example of what hard work can help you achieve. A few months back, it was thought that Sanders had already added more notable names to his staff, but some recent comments from the Colorado head coach proved otherwise. While speaking at Big 12 media days, Sanders spoke about Mike Zimmer and Byron Leftwich and his hopes that they join his coaching staff. He explained, 'Our coaching staff, this is without Byron Leftwich, which I'm praying that he does the right thing, and Mike Zimmer, we have 160 years of NFL experience, with those two added, that's 204 years of NFL experience. And I want those years.' Leftwich has had a successful coaching career since his playing days came to a close. After being a first-round pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars, he became a notable assistant on the staff of Bruce Arians. Most notably, Leftwich was the Bucs' offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022. Leftwich played a role in the team getting the free agent Tom Brady, and them winning Super Bowl LV.
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Deion Sanders hoping to add former Jaguars' QB to Colorado coaching staff
Deion Sanders is hoping to add a former Jacksonville Jaguars' QB to his coaching staff at Colorado. Deion Sanders is hoping to add former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich to the Colorado coaching staff for the upcoming college football season. 'Our coaching staff, this is without Byron Leftwich, which I'm praying that he does the right thing, and Mike Zimmer, we have 160 years of NFL experience,' Sanders said at the Big 12 media days, via Pro Football Talk. 'With those two added, that's 204 years of NFL experience. And I want those years.' Leftwich was the seventh overall pick by the Jaguars in the 2003 NFL draft. With Jacksonville, he made 44 starts over four seasons and his teams had a record of 24-20 during that span. He would complete 59% of his passes at 6.7 yards per attempt with 51 passing touchdowns to 36 interceptions. After leaving Jacksonville, Leftwich filled a backup role, starting only six games over his next five seasons. Leftwich went on to play one season with Atlanta in 2007, one season with Pittsburgh in 2008--where he won a Super Bowl as a backup--one season with Tampa Bay in 2009, and then he was back with the Steelers for the 2010 and 2012 seasons. Leftwich got into coaching in 2016 with the Arizona Cardinals. For two seasons, he was the quarterbacks coach before taking over as the interim offensive coordinator in 2018. Leftwich was then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator from 2019 through 2022.
Vox
31-03-2025
- Health
- Vox
Get ahead of allergy season this year
is a senior reporter at Vox covering mental health, relationships, wellness, money, home life, and work through the lens of meaningful self-improvement. That sneezy, itchy, watery-eyed time of year has yet again returned: it's allergy season. Seasonal allergies are the body's response to pollen from trees and grass; the immune system releases chemicals, like histamines, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins, which cause all those uncomfortable, familiar symptoms. The best way to combat the unpleasant barrage is to get ahead of them, says Russell Leftwich, a fellow at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and an adjunct assistant professor of biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Since allergy season arrives at roughly the same time every year, Leftwich recommends starting your allergy relief of choice for a few days before pollen levels get too high. (The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and IQAir provide local pollen monitoring.) If the dizzying variety of drugs at the pharmacy has you confused, here are a few things to know about the most effective types of over-the-counter allergy medications as well as non-pharmaceutical ways to keep your allergies in check. Today, Explained Understand the world with a daily explainer plus the most compelling stories of the day, compiled by news editor Sean Collins. Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Before heading to the drugstore One of the best ways to alleviate allergy symptoms is to prevent pollen from getting into your body in the first place. This means keeping windows closed and wearing a mask while doing yard work, Leftwich says. If you've been outdoors for a while, change your clothes and wash your face when you get home, says Rita Kachru, the chief of allergy and immunology in the department of medicine at UCLA. Related 4 tips for dealing with a ferocious allergy season Another prevention method includes rinsing your nose with a saline solution: a mixture of baking soda, salt, and distilled or boiled water, Kachru says. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends mixing three tablespoons of iodide-free salt with one teaspoon of baking soda in a small container. Then add one teaspoon of the salt/baking soda mixture to eight ounces of lukewarm distilled or boiled water. You can also buy nasal saline sprays at the drugstore. When to take antihistamines When avoidance strategies aren't totally effective, you can treat your symptoms with over-the-counter allergy medications. One of the major categories of these treatments are antihistamines, which are available in pill, tablet, eye drop, or nasal spray forms. Antihistamines help reduce itchiness and sneezing and are your first line of defense, Kachru says. 'The reason I always start with an antihistamine is because you may just have a day of a high pollen count,' she says, 'and you just need a one-time antihistamine because you're sneezing and you're itchy and you're a little congested.' Kachru and Leftwich suggest opting for long-acting antihistamines — like loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), or fexofenadine (Allegra) — over short-acting ones. People can develop a resistance to short-acting antihistamines, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), very quickly. Plus, Benadryl often makes people sleepy. Both short- and long-acting antihistamines provide relief within 15 to 30 minutes, Kachru says. Take them at the start of the day before you are exposed to pollen. For mild nose itchiness and sneezing, an antihistamine nasal spray, like azelastine (Astepro), might work for you. A common side effect is a metallic taste in the back of the throat, Kachru says. When to try nasal steroid sprays If you're reaching for an antihistamine three to four times a week, Kachru suggests adding a nasal steroid into the mix. Not only do nasal steroids reduce sneezing and itchiness, but they'll help with congestion, too. These include fluticasone (Flonase), budesonide (Benacort), triamcinolone (Nasacort), and mometasone (Nasonex). Nasal steroids do take a few days until you feel the full effects, Kachru says, so don't give up if you don't feel better right away. To properly administer nasal sprays, insert the tip in your nostril and point it toward your ear. A common mistake when using a nasal spray is pointing it straight up your nose. 'It goes up their nose, down their throat and does nothing for them,' Kachru says. 'Or they stick it inwards into their nose, and then they get nosebleeds. … So you want to always make sure that when you put it in, you point it out towards your ear, spray, sniff in, and then do the alternate nostril.' While not a nasal steroid, Kachru advises against using oxymetazoline (Afrin), a nasal spray decongestant. 'Patients who use Afrin regularly end up having really, really severe rebound nasal congestion,' she says. Leftwich advises against decongestants more broadly, as the over-the-counter decongestant medications are not very effective. After a few weeks of daily nasal spray use, you may consider stopping an antihistamine, if you're taking both. 'That's usually what I tell people to do,' Kachru says. 'Eventually just use that antihistamine as needed' because the nasal spray is more effective.
