Former NFL stars Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson have made headlines this previous month after accepting
head-coaching positions at traditionally black faculties and universities.
Vick, a Virginia native, is heading house to steer the Norfolk State Spartans, whereas Jackson can be in command of the Delaware State Hornets. Although not initially from Delaware, the college is lower than 100 miles from Philadelphia, the place Jackson performed for the Eagles from 2008 to 2013 and 2019 to 2020.
Jackson State’s determination to rent Deion Sanders in 2020 laid the muse for different HBCUs to hunt out high-profile NFL stars to steer their applications. Sanders loved nice success at Jackson State, accumulating a 27-6 report. His signature second got here when he flipped then-No. 1 general recruit and now Heisman winner Travis Hunter from Florida State to affix him on the FCS stage.
Norfolk State and Delaware State hope to duplicate among the hype and a focus Sanders introduced with him.
Although the eventualities might seem comparable on paper, Jackson and Vick’s circumstances will assist decide whether or not this methodology of choosing coaches can be profitable in the long run.
Sanders served as an offensive coordinator and head coach for a number of prep colleges relationship again to 2012 earlier than accepting the Jackson State place.
Jackson and Vick don’t presently have as a lot expertise.
Vick was a training intern for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs throughout their 2017 coaching camp and later as an offensive analyst for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Soccer in 2019.
Jackson formally retired from the NFL in 2023 and spent final season because the offensive coordinator at Woodrow Wilson Excessive College in California.
Whereas the restricted expertise of Jackson and Vick could also be a priority to some, it’s a danger value taking for his or her respective colleges. Each colleges have struggled to search out success lately. The Spartans haven’t had a profitable season since 2011, and the Hornets haven’t posted a profitable report since 2007.
Jackson shared a press release about his new gig at Delaware State.
“The chance for me to assist write one other chapter right here at DSU is a once-in-a-lifetime second according to my journey as a younger boy discovering his approach to manhood by way of mentorship, accountability, achievement, and self-discipline,” Jackson mentioned. “If we construct that form of tradition at Delaware State College, we are going to appeal to the appropriate expertise and transform the trajectory of this program. I can not wait to get began.”
Given their latest histories and the stature of their new coaches, each colleges are doubtless to offer Jackson and Vick ample time to construct up their applications. Their fame and soccer experience may assist set up a robust tradition and appeal to expertise to their groups.
If both or each can efficiently flip round their applications, this might shift how teaching candidates are evaluated. Extra HBCUs would possibly take possibilities on first-time head coaches and attain out to former stars to spice up recruitment and construct a profitable tradition.
Norfolk State and Delaware State, each members of the Mid-Japanese Athletic Convention, are prone to meet this coming season. Every group can be value monitoring past 2025.
