DeSean Jackson Reveals Surprising Impact of Deion Sanders on His Coaching Ambitions

Is DeSean Jackson ready to follow Deion Sanders’ colossal footsteps—or carve out his own legendary trail? As Jackson gears up for his inaugural season as Delaware State’s head coach, he openly credits Sanders for shattering barriers and setting the stage for former NFL stars at HBCUs. Yet, Jackson isn’t content to be “Coach Prime 2.0.” With only two wins in the last couple seasons, he’s stepping into a daunting challenge, betting on the foundation already laid and vowing to revive a struggling program his way—authentically, as Coach Jackson. Inspired not only by Sanders but also by his brother and mentor Travis Clark, Jackson reveals a rekindled passion for the game that goes beyond the stats and spotlight. Will he rise to redefine success in his own image, or does the shadow of Prime loom too large? One thing’s for sure: this story’s got layers—ambition, homage, and a new kind of grit in the making. LEARN MORE.

As DeSean Jackson approaches his first season as coach of Delaware State, he has never hesitated to show his appreciation to Deion Sanders for his coaching journey. While Sanders isn’t the first former NFL player to become an HBCU coach, he commanded attention at Jackson State like no other before him.

In a recent appearance on All Facts, No Breaks, he spoke about his appreciation for Sanders.

“Coach Prime, man, I can’t stress enough about how he’s opened doors up for guys like myself,” Jackson said. “We talked about Michael Vick being at Norfolk. We play this year. Just being able to learn from guys like him that’s been at an HBCU when he was at Jackson State, now he’s at Colorado, it’s a stepping stone for me.”

He also spoke about the task at hand: revitalizing Delaware State’s football program.

“I wanted to come here. They only won two games in the past two years. So I’m coming into a situation where I can’t do no worse. I’m gonna bet on myself. Ain’t no shoe too big for me to fill. I feel like the foundation is set. It’s just on me to put certain [things] around.”

In his introductory press conference in January, DeSean Jackson spoke about being inspired by Sanders but wanting to chart a different path for himself as “Coach Jackson.”

“And I’ll tell you this, I know a lot of people say, ‘Coach Prime, Coach Prime.’ I respect him. And he’s gave us guys like myself an opportunity. I’m going to do it differently than Prime, I’m going to do it the Coach Jackson way.”

He also pointed out another inspiration for his coaching journey: his brother and mentor, Travis Clark.

“Not necessarily. I will say, me being able to get inspired from coaching came from having the opportunity to go coach with my older brother, my mentor, Coach Clark. He’s been coaching in high school for the past 25 years. And every step of my, my college career and my NFL career, I’ve always kept an eye on seeing what he, what he’s able to install in these young men. And I respected it and what he installed in me. So last year I went and coached with him and I regained a different love for football, like the void that I’m missing of catching touchdowns now.”

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