Former NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson is reentering the world of football, this time as a college football coach. Delaware State announced Friday that Jackson will serve as the head coach of its football program. The move follows the departure of former head coach Lee Hall, who was dismissed after falling short of expectations.
Some have praised the decision as a positive step, highlighting the growing trend of former NFL players taking leadership roles to mentor the next generation of athletes. Others, however, view it as the beginning of a concerning pattern.
DeSean Jackson Named Head Coach of Delaware State Football
Former California Golden Bears wide receiver DeSean Jackson has joined Norfolk State’s Michael Vick as the second former NFL and CFB player hired by a MEAC school this month.
Jackson had reportedly long dreamed of coaching at an HBCU, suggesting his decision to join Delaware State was intentional. Jackson’s move has also drawn comparisons to Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders’ successful tenure at Jackson State and Eddie George’s role at Tennessee State.
Some have speculated that Jackson took the position to emulate the attention and success Sanders has garnered as a coach. However, Jackson’s own words paint a different picture.
“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 said. “If we build that kind of culture at Delaware State University, we will attract the right talent and radically change the trajectory of this program. I cannot wait to get started.”
Tony Tucker, who was hired as Delaware State’s athletic director earlier this month, expressed high praise for Jackson.
“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,” Tucker said.
Jackson’s former coach, Andy Reid, also shared his support, stating he would “stake my career on [Jackson’s] success at Delaware State.”
Fans React to DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State Move
Fans gave mixed reactions to reports of DeSean Jackson taking up the head coach role at Delaware State. Many compared the move to Deion Sanders coaching at Jackson State, suggesting that DeSean is simply attempting to replicate Coach Prime’s success.
People think coaching is like Madden. It really isn’t. I wish him well, but it’s a little disrespectful for those who’ve been on the grind.
— Coach Y.A. Johnson🏈 (@wrcoachtu87) December 26, 2024
One fan said, “People think coaching is like Madden. It really isn’t. I wish him well, but it’s a little disrespectful for those who’ve been on the grind.”
Another fan commented saying, “If all these guys are getting hired because they have shown they have a legitimate plan as a coach for entire program then I am on board but if the schools hiring them or they feel Deion success made it easy then a mistake for both school and former player- Being a coach HARD”
If all these guys are getting hired because they have shown they have a legitimate plan as a coach for entire program then I am 💯 on board but if the schools hiring them or they feel Deion success made it easy then a mistake for both school and former player- Being a coach HARD
— D-Dub (@DerekWitt19) December 26, 2024
A fan also tweeted, “Everybody wanna be Prime now.” Insinuating that DeSean Jackson took the Delaware State coaching job in an attempt to imitate Deion Sanders.
Everybody wanna be Prime now
— Christian (@BigHatBassin) December 26, 2024
While these assumptions seem far-fetched, this seems to be a popular response to the news.
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