NFL Fans React To DeSean Jackson Landing College Football Job
12/26/2024 05:06 PM
In what has become a fascinating trend, another former NFL player with limited coaching experience has become a college football head coach. This time it's former Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
Jeff Lightsey Jr reported on Thursday that Jackson had finalized an agreement to become the new head coach of the Delaware State Hornets. Delaware State is an FCS school and an HBCU that won its last conference championship in 2007. Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, it has been Jackson's dream to coach an HBCU.
"Desean Jackson and Delaware State are finalizing an agreement for him to take the head coaching job there, per ESPN sources. He did an on-campus interview in recent days and the sides are expected to come together in the near future," Thamel wrote. "Per a source, it has always been a dream of Jackson's to coach at an HBCU. That dream could be a reality in the near future."
Per a source, it has always been a dream of Jackson's to coach at an HBCU. That dream could be a reality in the near future. First reported by @jlightsy7.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 26, 2024
Fans were taken by surprise over the news, with many being stunned that Jackson got a head coaching job mere days after his former teammate, ex-NFL quarterback Michael Vick, similarly got a head coaching job at Norfolk State with limited experience.
"DeSean Jackson being a head college football coach was not on my bingo card for the new year," one user admitted.
"I have no idea of his credentials but seems like the former NFL player-to-CFB head coach model has exploded post Deion," wrote another.
"Very cool trend seeing a lot of these stars getting legit shots at smaller schools Win/win for the school You get a household name that will put your school on the map," a third wrote.
Getty Images.
Deion Sanders becoming head coach at Jackson State in 2020 really kicked off a new trend of coaching opportunities. Former Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George was hired at Tennessee State in 2021 and just led the team to its first conference title in 25 years.
Perhaps the success of Sanders and George has started swaying schools towards giving chances to less experienced candidates who know the pro game and are willing to learn as they go.
It's sure looking that way.
Related: Report: Former NFL Star DeSean Jackson Lands College Job
