DeSean Jackson had a tremendous 15-year career in the NFL, most notably for his six years with the Philadelphia Eagles or before that as one of the most electric college players of his generation with the California Golden Bears. After he was hired as the head coach at Delaware State, it’s clear that a new pipeline to college head coaching jobs has emerged.
DeSean Jackson Secures Head Coaching Job, Follows Path of Former NFL Players
On Friday, Jackson was named the new head coach of the Delaware State Hornets, stepping into a growing trend of former NFL players transitioning into head coaching roles.
Delaware State, an HBCU, competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). This move follows last week’s announcement of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick taking over as head coach at Norfolk State, another MEAC program.
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The trend is far from new. Back in 2021, Tennessee State made waves by hiring 1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George as its head coach. Since then, George has guided the program to a 24-22 record, including a berth in the 2024 FCS playoffs.
However, the real movement arguably began with Deion Sanders.
In September 2020, the Jackson State Tigers made a bold move by hiring former All-Pro Deion Sanders to lead their program. From day one, Coach Prime revitalized the Tigers, turning them into an HBCU powerhouse.
Taking over a team that went 4-3 during the shortened COVID-19 season, Sanders guided Jackson State to an impressive 11-2 record in his first full year. He followed that with a stellar 12-1 campaign in 2022 before heading west to Boulder to take on the challenge of rebuilding the Colorado Buffaloes, who were coming off a dismal 1-11 season.
Coach Prime’s leadership and recruiting acumen have shone at every level, and Colorado was no exception. After a 4-8 debut season, the Buffaloes surged to a 9-3 regular-season record in Year 2, with a chance to hit the 10-win mark in their upcoming bowl game.
Jackson will try to emulate that exact recipe.
Delaware State is coming off of a 1-11 campaign of its own in 2024; they were outscored 408-212, including two games in which they failed to score a point.
The fan reaction was to be expected. With Sanders in the spotlight in recent years, and Vick and Jackson announcing their hirings recently, the trend is easy to see — along with the criticism that may come with it.
One X user said, “Everybody wanna be Prime now.”
But is that a bad thing?
Jackson boasts an impressive NFL résumé, highlighted by three Pro Bowl selections. He ranks 40th all-time in receiving yards with 11,263 and has tallied 66 touchdowns. Over his career with six teams, he shined brightest alongside Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Much like Sanders, Jackson brought a passionate, often flamboyant, and occasionally brash energy to the field. Yet, where Sanders has thrived as a transformative leader, earning glowing reviews for his coaching, Jackson now has the chance to carve out his own path.
During his time in the pros, Jackson was mentored by two of the NFL’s most respected coaches, Andy Reid and John Harbaugh. Their influence alone would make him a compelling candidate for a coaching interview, given the wealth of knowledge and experience he’s gained.
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Delaware State clearly saw the potential in Jackson, entrusting him with the reins of their program.
Skepticism will likely follow until Jackson proves he’s the right fit for the job. But as former NFL stars continue to find success transitioning to college coaching, it’s only a matter of time before more players step up, eager to give back and shape the next generation of football.
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