On the subject of getting a university head-coaching job, there’s one factor changing into very clear: Earlier expertise isn’t required.
Based on a number of experiences on Thursday, together with Jeff Lightsy Jr. and ESPN’s Pete Thamel, former NFL vast receiver DeSean Jackson is engaged on finalizing a contract to develop into the brand new head coach at Delaware State College.
It’s going to proceed what has develop into a commerce in school soccer for groups to make big-name hires with former NFL stars who haven’t any prior teaching expertise.
Deion Sanders (Jackson State, now Colorado), Eddie George (Tennessee State) and Michael Vick (Norfolk State) are a few of the newer examples.
Ed Reed was additionally briefly employed at Bethune-Cookman however by no means really coached a recreation when the 2 sides cut up methods lower than a month after the announcement.
Jackson spent 15 years within the NFL between 2008 and 2022, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He additionally hung out with Washington, Tampa Bay, Las Vegas, Baltimore and Los Angeles (Rams).
Throughout his profession, he was top-of-the-line deep threats within the NFL, catching 641 passes for 11,263 yards and 58 touchdowns. He averaged 17.6 yards per catch for his profession and led the league in yards per catch 4 completely different instances (2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018). He retired following the 2022 season.
How all of that interprets to the teaching ranks stays to be seen, however he’s going to have his work lower out for him. Delaware State is simply 2-21 over the previous two seasons and solely 7-27 over the previous three seasons. Jackson is changing Lee Hull as head coach after he was dismissed following the 2024 season.
