FRISCO, Texas − Colorado football coach Deion Sanders is finally back, looking svelte in a gray suit and acing just as flamboyant as ever.

He returned to the spotlight for the first time since April, but declined to reveal the health issue that kept him away.

“God is good,” Sanders said after taking the main stage here Wednesday, July 9 at the annual Big 12 Conference preseason media days event at The Star north of Dallas.

He was accompanied to the event by longtime friend Michael Irvin, the former Dallas Cowboys receiver. Sanders deflected when asked about his health.

“I’m not here to talk about my health,” Sanders said. “I’m here to talk about my team.”

He said fellow Big 12 coaches had been checking in on him and praised them but said he wanted to beat all of them. He also made a plea of sorts to his employer at Colorado. He wants to add some coaches to his staff: former NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich and former NFL head coach Mike Zimmer. But they haven’t been hired yet. Sanders said he’s “praying” CU does the “right thing” and hire them.

What happened with Deion Sanders this summer?

Sanders, 57, has been away from his day job since April as he tried to recuperate at his estate in Canton, Texas, about 80 miles away from where Big 12 media days are being held this week north of Dallas. He didn’t miss much on campus, since it’s usually a dead time of year for college football coaches. But he did miss CU’s annual youth and high school football camps in June, even though operating such camps is listed as one of the official duties in his employment contract. He also cancelled a public speaking appearance in Florida June 8 and was unable to attend the wedding of his former player, Travis Hunter, on May 24.

He instead made occasional appearances on social media but never revealed the specific nature of his health issue, instead saying he was OK and would provide an update at a later date.

He has a history of blood clots in his legs, which previously led to the amputation of two of his toes. In 2023, he also canceled his appearance at a Pac-12 Conference preseason media event because of another blood-clot surgery.

What did Deion Sanders say about his team this year?

This time he dealt with health concerns without his two youngest sons at his side – quarterback Shedeur and safety Shilo. His eldest son Deion Jr. stayed with him, but the other two brothers are now pursuing NFL careers in Cleveland and Tampa after playing for him the previous two seasons at Colorado.

What kind of coach will Sanders be without those sons and Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner last year?

That’s a big question this season in Year 3 under Sanders in Boulder.

“I want to win,” Sanders said.  “I want to win at all costs.”

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deion Sanders talks health issue Big 12 media days with Colorado