Former NFL stars Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson have made headlines this past month after accepting
head-coaching positions at historically black colleges and universities.
Vick, a Virginia native, is heading home to lead the Norfolk State Spartans, while Jackson will be in charge of the Delaware State Hornets. Though not originally from Delaware, the university is less than 100 miles from Philadelphia, where Jackson played for the Eagles from 2008 to 2013 and 2019 to 2020.
Jackson State’s decision to hire Deion Sanders in 2020 laid the foundation for other HBCUs to seek out high-profile NFL stars to lead their programs. Sanders enjoyed great success at Jackson State, accumulating a 27-6 record. His signature moment came when he flipped then-No. 1 overall recruit and now Heisman winner Travis Hunter from Florida State to join him at the FCS level.
Norfolk State and Delaware State hope to replicate some of the hype and attention Sanders brought with him.
Though the scenarios may appear similar on paper, Jackson and Vick’s circumstances will help determine whether this method of selecting coaches will be successful in the long term.
Sanders served as an offensive coordinator and head coach for several prep schools dating back to 2012 before accepting the Jackson State position.
Jackson and Vick do not currently have as much experience.
Vick was a coaching intern for the Kansas City Chiefs during their 2017 training camp and later as an offensive analyst for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football in 2019.
Jackson officially retired from the NFL in 2023 and spent last season as the offensive coordinator at Woodrow Wilson High School in California.
While the limited experience of Jackson and Vick may be a concern to some, it is a risk worth taking for their respective schools. Both schools have struggled to find success in recent years. The Spartans have not had a winning season since 2011, and the Hornets have not posted a winning record since 2007.
Jackson shared a statement about his new gig at Delaware State.
“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.”
Given their recent histories and the stature of their new coaches, both schools are likely to give Jackson and Vick ample time to build up their programs. Their fame and football expertise could help establish a strong culture and attract talent to their teams.
If either or both can successfully turn around their programs, this could shift how coaching candidates are evaluated. More HBCUs might take chances on first-time head coaches and reach out to former stars to boost recruitment and build a winning culture.
Norfolk State and Delaware State, both members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, are likely to meet this coming season. Each team will be worth monitoring beyond 2025.
