On Jan. 21, Terrell Buckley, the Super Bowl-winning cornerback, made headlines again as he was appointed head coach at Mississippi Valley State University. Buckley had an impressive 14-season NFL career with six teams from 1992 to 2005 and earned his championship ring with the 2001 New England Patriots.
Terrell Buckley: From NFL Stardom to Coaching
Now 53, Buckley brings a wealth of experience to his new role. In 2023, he was head coach of the XFL’s Orlando Guardians, finishing with a 1-9 record.
In a statement on the university’s official website, interim athletic director George Ivory said, “We are thrilled to welcome Coach Buckley as the new head coach of the Mississippi Valley State University football team. He brings a winning mindset, a deep commitment to developing our student-athletes both on and off the field, and a vision that aligns perfectly with our program’s values.”
The Delta Devils compete in the FCS within the Southwestern Athletic Conference in Itta Bena, Mississippi.
The school has produced football greats like Jerry Rice and Deacon Jones. Buckley steps in after Kendrick Wade’s tenure, which ended with a 2-21 record, ushering in a new era for the Delta Devils.
“We’re going to build a culture of accountability, hard work, and belief—because winning starts with the standards we set and the mindset we bring every single day,” Buckley said.
Buckley’s Legendary Football Career
Terrell Buckley’s football career was remarkable. He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back and was the fifth overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers after an outstanding All-American career at Florida State.
Buckley’s impressive stats include 50 interceptions—six of which he returned for touchdowns—over 209 career games (131 starts) with the Packers (1992-94), Miami Dolphins (1995-99, 2003), Denver Broncos (2000), New England Patriots (2001-02), New York Jets (2004), and New York Giants (2005).
Not one to rest on his laurels, he also recorded four interceptions in 16 playoff games.
On Monday, Jan. 27, at 2:30 p.m., the Delta Devils will officially introduce Buckley as the new head coach at a press conference in the Carver A. Randle Auditorium in the W.A. Butts Social Science Building on campus.
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This event will undoubtedly be a grand affair as Buckley joins the ranks of other high-profile former NFL stars making their mark at HBCUs.
Deion Sanders excelled at Jackson State before moving to Colorado. Eddie George is at Tennessee State. Michael Vick is leading Norfolk State, and DeSean Jackson is at Delaware State. So, will Buckley bring the same transformative energy to Mississippi Valley State?
The anticipation is building.
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