Another former NFL star is trying his hand at coaching at an HBCU.
DeSean Jackson is reportedly set to become the new head coach at Delaware State, Jeff Lightsy Jr. of Victory Formation Media reported on Thursday. The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver is the latest former pro to join the HBCU coaching ranks, joining recent Norfolk State hire Michael Vick.
There has not yet been a formal announcement from Delaware State or Jackson; however, multiple outlets have confirmed the report.
Jackson last played in the NFL in 2022, playing seven games for the Ravens. He signed a one-day contract with the Eagles in November 2023 in order to officially retire as a member of the Philadelphia organization.
Here’s all you need to know about Jackson’s entrance into college football.
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Why is DeSean Jackson going to Delaware State?
With Jackson set to join Delaware State as its new head coach, he fulfills what reportedly has been a goal of his. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, it has been a “dream” of Jackson to coach at an HBCU, and now that is becoming a reality.
Despite a lack of head coaching experience, Jackson should offer Delaware State a bump in recruiting, being a college football legend and former NFL star. While Jackson grew up on the West Coast, he reached NFL stardom in Philadelphia with the Eagles, the closest NFL team to Dover, which is the home of Delaware State.
Jackson joins a Delaware State program that struggled mightily under former head coach Lee Hull. In the two years under Hull, the Hornets combined for a record of 2-21, including a 2024 record of 1-11 and a last-place finish in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
Where is DeSean Jackson from?
Jackson grew up in the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif. He attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School before enrolling at University of California, Berkeley, where he starred for the Golden Bears.
The lone connection between Jackson and the Delaware area is from his NFL days. He played for the Eagles in nearby Philadelphia.
DeSean Jackson contract details
The specifics of Jackson’s contract have not yet been reported. This section will be updated as more details are disclosed.
DeSean Jackson coaching history
Jackson brings minimal coaching experience to Delaware State. After retiring from playing football in 2023, he spent the 2024 season as the offensive coordinator at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif.
