Delaware State hired former Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson as its head coach on Thursday, becoming the latest HBCU to tap an ex-NFL star with no college experience to lead its program.
The move comes less than a week after another MEAC school, Norfolk State, hired Virginia Tech legend and former Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick to be its head coach.
“HBCUs have much to be proud of in creating a more representative America. But that story is not simply a historical one. It continues to be written and includes the elevation of HBCU scholars and scholar-athletes in every field of human endeavor,” Jackson said in a statement. “The opportunity for me to help write another chapter here at DSU is a once-in-a-lifetime moment consistent with my journey as a young boy finding his way to manhood through mentorship, accountability, achievement, and discipline.
Jackson is a Southern California native who went to high school in Long Beach and attended Cal, where he was an All-American. He had most recently been working as a high school assistant coach in Long Beach.
Jackson played parts of 15 NFL seasons for six teams. His best seasons came with the Eagles, who drafted him in the second round in 2008, and Washington Redskins. He made three Pro Bowls during his career, had five 1,000-yard receiving seasons and averaged 17.6 yards per reception.
Amazon Prime will release a documentary on Jackson’s life this fall.
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who coached Jackson with the Eagles, said the former player is like a son to him.
“I could not be more supportive of his desire to coach Division I football and would stake my career on his success at Delaware State University. We are bound at the hip and are forever family. I cannot wait to see where he takes the University and where the University takes him,” Reid said.
Delaware State is coming off a 1-11 season that led to coach Lee Hull being fired after two seasons. He was 2-22 with the Hornets.
“DeSean Jackson is a perfect fit for our institution – incredibly competitive, optimistic about the prospects for our collective future, and focused on the fundamentals of the institution: students first,” DSU athletic director Tony Tucker said.
Former Titans running back Eddie George is in his fourth season as Tennessee State’s head coach and Deion Sanders started his college coaching career at Jackson State before moving on to Colorado after the 2022 season. George is 24-22 at TSU, including a 9-4 mark in 2024. Sanders led Jackson State to a 27-6 mark in his three seasons with the school.
(Photo of Jackson in 2019: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
