Former NFL Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson is returning to the football field, but he won’t be catching any passes. On Friday, December 27, Delaware State University formally introduced Jackson as the institution’s head football coach.
“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,” said Delaware State University Athletic Director Tony Tucker.
Jackson may not have played at Delaware State or a historically Black university, but his career achievements are well known throughout the sport. The California native spent 15 years in the NFL, accumulating more than 11,000 receiving yards, scoring more than 60 touchdowns and earning three trips to the Pro Bowl. A few years into his post-playing days, Jackson will now have the opportunity to help young players in Dover achieve some of the success that he has.
“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.”
Jackson is the latest in a growing collection of former NFL players turned coaches at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Previously, Deion Sanders led Jackson State University to two Celebration Bowl appearances, Eddie George helped the Tennessee State Tigers reach the playoffs and Michael Vick recently returned home to begin coaching the Norfolk State University Spartans. However, Jackson, like Vick, does not appear to have any prior college coaching experience.
“Deion [Sanders] brought the Heisman Trophy winner and the [potential] number one pick in the [2025] NFL Draft with him [to Jackson State University]. At Jackson State, they knew what was coming with Deion. I don’t know that DeSean Jackson will have that same pull even though I get that they’re trying to bring more attention to the program,” ESPN’s Myron Medcalf said.
“I think it’s unfair to the coaches that have worked so hard to put themselves in positions to be head coaches, who have gone up the ladder, been assistants, been low-level staffers and they’re right there. Then, you try to get a job like this and you see that DeSean Jackson gets it instead. I don’t like that aspect of hiring these ex-NFL guys with no coaching experience.”
Jackson will have the opportunity to begin his coaching career on Thursday, August 28 against the Delaware State Blue Hens.
